Harper James Simon (born September 7, 1972) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. His music has appeared on several albums and in film and.
Just barely topping the 30-minute mark, 's debut LP gives a quick, breezy look at the songwriting skills of 's oldest son., who previously cut his teeth in the cabaret-punk outfit, switches gears for this solo outing, which emphasizes lush arrangements and folksy melodies over 's noisy stomp. Of course, the new style also highlights the influence of 's father, whose timbre and phrasing are channeled throughout. With its finger-plucked guitar riffs and vocal harmonies, 'Berkeley Girl' recalls vintage, while songs like 'The Shine' and 'The Audit' feature the same lush, rainy-day folk trappings that his dad helped popularize several decades prior. Is a competent songwriter in his own right, but his greatest asset may be the ability to re-create the classic music he grew up with.
The fact that he receives assistance from one of the most star-studded backing bands this side of -- including vocalist, harmonica vet, Dobro guitarist, and producer -- certainly doesn't hurt, either.
Harper Simon can’t help being caught in the great melodious wake of his father, the man who penned “The Only Living Boy in New York” and “Mrs. Robinson. Red Data Book Of India Pdf. ” But to consider him simply the lucky offspring of a lyrical genius isn’t only unfair—it’s also inaccurate. Simon’s three-years-in-the-works self-titled debut (out now) counts as the first steps into the musical spotlight as a solo artist. They weren’t necessarily taken alone, but every awkward footfall along his gradual jaunt was well-earned.
In October, just before his album’s release, Paste spoke with Simon the phone from his L.A. Home, where he recounted the collective effort of the new record, which features collaborations with producer Bob Johnston, Nigerian poet and novelist Ben Okri, and songwriters including Inara George, Sean Lennon and, yes, even dear old dad. Paste: You went to Berklee Music College in Boston. What kind of student were you there? 4d Virtual Builder For Sketchup Crack here. Harper Simon: I went to Berklee for a couple of years but I was a very unremarkable student.
I basically just learned everything from hanging around the drug culture, like every other teenage fuck-up. I really didn’t learn that much in school. I always read a lot on my own and I listened a lot on my own. I did pick up some basic harmony and arrangements.
I picked up basic theory at Berklee. Paste: With such strong early musical influence, has this solo album been something you’ve been considering for a while? Simon: Yes, of course I have. But I’ve always had so much anxiety about it. Maybe just coming from the family I came from—maybe it was just hard for me to find my voice.
I always had a lot of reluctance to put myself out there in the world. But eventually it was something that I felt strongly about, and I realized that it was time to do it, and to do it in a serious way. And I just wanted to make sure that if I put out a record in the world that it would be an incredible, thoughtful, interesting album with lyrics that were not bullshit, and players who were brilliant. And it ended up being a much larger endeavor than I had anticipated.
Paste: You had a lot of famous and talented hands contributing to this record. Did it snowball into this collaboration or was it your initial intention? Simon: I might have gotten carried away. Free Garnett Silk Journey Rar Programs. ( Laughs) I don’t know if my next record will have so many special guests. Did it snowball?