Missing the obvious I was going to write, “Harper Simon is a fine musician who sounds a lot like Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel”, when I read the press release and sure enough: he is Paul Simon’s son. Like father like son. I know children want to plough their own furrows, usually in the opposite direction to their father’s, but in this case it is most definitely a complement of the highest order.
Co-written by Nigerian Booker Prize winner Ben Okri, and produced by Ben Johnston (who was behind some of Dylan’s classic albums), “Wishes and Stars” could be inserted into a “60s Folk Compilation” without complaint and without anyone noticing.
Over the next few days I’m going to dig out his album that got buried amidst all my other CDs and give it a good listen, and, I expect, a very positive review.
Release Date 21/06/2010 ([PIAS] Recordings)
I started out writing for the Manchester Evening News as a freelance journalist back in 2008. The idea that I would be given free access to music and gigs seemed somehow miraculous to me, and I proceeded to take full advantage of the situation. When the M.E.N. decided to constrict its coverage to only the very biggest bands, Simon Poole approached me with a plan to make sure that all the very talented musicians of this world that pass through and/or live in Manchester would not go unnoticed. As the New Releases editor here at Silent Radio Towers, it remains my proud duty to cast a critical eye over the music and reviews that come my way in a manner that is both supportive and fair. Above all, I strive to write as entertainingly possible. Favourite musicians include the Pixies, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Mercury Rev, Os Mutantes, The Knife, Beach House etc etc. I'm a firm believer that all genres (except nu-metal) contain music of great quality...
