Paul Simon - Negotiations and Love Songs 1971-1986

This two-record set on one CD collects 16 Paul Simon hits from his solo career after Simon & Garfunkel without much rhyme or reason. The selections are not in chronological order and several of the cuts are oddly chosen. Those minor points aside, there are some landmark works presented on these discs. "Hearts and Bones" is a brilliant depiction of a crumbling love affair, while "Slip Slidin' Away" uncovers the hurt of divorce and middle age with a groove that's pure mid-'70s decadent. Simon's infatuation with rhythm is all over the place, from the reggae of "Mother and Child Reunion" to the South African bounce of "You Can Call Me Al." --Rob O'Connor Amazon.com

Great Artist

I had this on tape and it was so old and I played it so much that it broke. Could not find another tape. Found CD on Amazon.com. Thanks. July 9, 2008

Good songs

Paul Simon is a great artist with multiple hits. He falls into a similar category to the Beatles and Beach Boys in that he has so many hits he cannot have a good greatest hits album. However the hits on this album have great quality and are fun to listen. My personal favorites are "Have a Good Time" and "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" and all the songs are all original recordings. Good album for Paul Simon fans. December 8, 2007

A Bona-Fide Noncomformist

I suppose the answer to the questions posed by a few reviewers as to why certain songs were omitted and some questionable ones included is that Paul Simon never did anything the conventional way. He is one who presents his music the way HE wants it done, and so perhaps the inclusion of tracks 4, 7, and 13 to 15 are the reason for the "negotiations" portion of the title.

I also would have liked to have seen these omitted in favour of selections like Duncan [# 30 Adult Contemporary (AC)# 52 Billboard Pop Hot 100 in 1972], American Tune [# 8 AC/# 35 Hot 100 in 1973], Gone At Last [# 9 AC/# 23 Hot 100 in 1975 billed to Paul Simon/Phoebe Snow with The Jessy Dixon Singers), One-Trick Pony (# 17 AC/# 40 Hot 100 in 1980], and Allergies [# 26 AC/# 44 Hot 100 in 1983]. Also, why include the flipside of a hit but not the hit itself? In this instance track 12 as opposed to Graceland, which was the hit side [# 34 AC/# 81 Hot 100 in 1986]. But, hey, there are ten charters included here, five of which were Top 10.

For the record, Loves Me Like A Rock [# 1 AC/# 2 Hot 100 in 1973] wasn't "like a gospel tune" - it WAS a gospel tune, and it's interesting to note that his backing on this side, the gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds, had a R&B hit with the same song later that year.

I couldn't go higher than 4 stars for the same reason as some of the others, as well as the fact that there are no liner notes whatsoever, other than a re-listing of the contents showing the musicians and backing artists on each track. This is a fault all too common with the major labels. August 27, 2007

A SUPER CLASSIC GREATEST HITS CD

This CD rocks and thats all their is to it. Paul Simone s talent is in producing number one hits is evident here. He takes you from his early days up through the Ealry 1970's and holds you there frozen in musical time. For myself? This is one of his Best Works. Containg the hit Kodachrome, 50 ways to leave your lover. Late in the evening...and many many more.
Well worth any ones collection. August 13, 2007

Patricia

I have really enjoyed this collection of music. It is difficult to find anywhere else, but Amazon has everything I search for. July 29, 2007

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