Miracle and Wonder

Conversations with Paul Simon

De: Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam

Narrado por: Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, Paul Simon

Duración: 5 h y 6 m

Resumen del Editor

*For a more up-to-date version check out Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon (Special Edition)

What happens when Paul Simon, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in music history, and Malcolm Gladwell, the best-selling author, sit down together, with a tape recorder and a guitar?

Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon is part memoir, part investigation, and unlike any creative portrait you’ve ever heard before. Recorded over a series of 30 hours of conversation between Simon, Gladwell, and Gladwell’s oldest friend and co-writer, journalist and Broken Record podcast co-host Bruce Headlam, the conversation flows from Simon’s music, to his childhood in Queens, NY, to his frequent collaborators including Art Garfunkel and the nature of creativity itself. Gladwell and Headlam traveled from the mountains of Hawaii to Simon’s own backyard studio to record an artist they’ve idolized since childhood.

Woven throughout the audiobook is distinctive commentary about Simon’s songwriting alongside archival audio footage and never-before-heard live studio versions and original recordings of beloved hits including “The Boxer", “The Sound of Silence", and “Graceland”. Between conversations, Gladwell deploys his signature blend of historical research and social science in an attempt to understand how a boy from 1940s Queens conjured near-perfect songs over an incredible 65-year career. Along the way, he gathers reflections on Simon’s particular genius from the likes of Sting, Herbie Hancock, Renee Fleming, Jeff Tweedy, Aaron Lindsey, and Roseanne Cash.

The result is an intimate audio biography of one of America’s most popular songwriters. Brimming with music and conversation, Miracle and Wonder is a window into Simon’s legendary career, what it means to be alive as an artist, and how to create work that endures.

©2021 Pushkin Industries and Paul Simon (P)2021 Pushkin Industries and Paul Simon

Good Title

If we could personify music, Paul Simon's music is the love of my life. As a young teen girl growing up in Nashville, I was hooked the first time I heard The Sound of Silence and yes, I can remember the moment. His music has accompanied me through good and bad times all my life, through love and divorce, celebrations and solitude. I took my two daughters when they were young to his Rhythm of the Saints concert years ago and it was thrilling. We all pretty much memorized lyrics to all his songs.

I was shocked to realize, as he explains toward the end of the book, that he doesn't really sing "love songs." How did I missed that? His lyrics and music speak broadly to the human experience, but in a deeply personal and gentle way.

So about this book----at first I was annoyed by the amount of time the narrators take to explain and analyze Paul Simon's music (where does it come from, what are his influences, etc.). It bothered me when Gladwell (or Headlam, not sure) repeated the lyrics Simon was singing (maybe not everyone knows every word of every song, okay, fair enough). But after a while, I just let that go and appreciated what I'd been given in the gift of this audio book. What a wonderful idea to make it in the first place (thank you Malcolm Gladwell and Bruce Headlam). And I would say that the last third of the book they do offer deep insights into individual songs and albums.

Still, I would love to have heard all five hours and six minutes just listening to Paul Simon sing, talk, tell his stories, but especially sing! From his own perspective, his history and his plans. I cannot wait for Seven Psalms. Thank you, Paul Simon.

Another Gift from Paul Simon

What could be better than hearing Paul Simon talk about his music for a few hours? Malcolm Gladwell has assembled an essential series of conversations with one of the great songwriters of our age.

Inspirational!!!

An insightful look into a songwriting legends process that takes you on Paul Simon’s journey through the eyes, ears, and language of Malcolm Gladwell’s probing curiosity.

Longtime fan of PS but learned a lot.

Detail about making of Graceland was welcome.

Very glad they concluded with American Tune. I was wondering why it hadn’t been mentioned.

Exquisite

This is the best thing I’ve heard in a very, very long time. What a pleasure to hear Paul Simon talk about his work and inspirations. The production was lively and fascinating, also thoughtfully and tenderly done, with full appreciation for the genius that is Paul Simon. Thank you.

Loved it, didn't want it to end

I have a real bias towards Paul Simon, I absolutely love his music just as a caveat. This is a conversation as the book suggests, and it works great. They talk about Pauls songwriting process, what he was thinking about when he wrote several songs and albums, how his thought process works while he is writing music, among a lot of other topics. The songwriting process is what interests me the most, as I am a songwriter as well. It is a great conversation and Paul talks about some personal topics that he has been reluctant to talk about previously. There are a couple of biographies available on audible that compliment this conversation well. I only wish it was a bit longer :)

The greatest American songwriter

Gladwell is insightful and lets Paul roll
Simon is open and overwhelmingly honest
The American Tunesmith

Fabulous - truly.

Treat yourself to a few hours of this long-form interview with deep insight and music and you will be moved. Excellent piece.

Fabulous!

This is an incredible interview with Paul Simon. The depth of the conversations, paired with the interwoven music made this an exceptional listen. Thank you, Mr Simon!

Yes

This one is a good one. Feels like I really got to know Paul in a way that I wouldn’t have otherwise.