7. “Mother And Child Reunion”- The very first track on his first solo album following his separation from Garfunkel, “Mother And Child Reunion” immediately establishes the musical adventurousness that would distinguish Simon’s subsequent career. Recorded in Jamaica, it’s one of the first pop songs to incorporate reggae rhythms. That it does so without sacrificing any of Simon’s innate melodic touch is the real triumph.
You could have excused Paul Simon if his songwriting well had dried up after his amazing run of classic singles with Art Garfunkel in the 60’s. Yet his solo output, from 1972’s Paul Simon album to 2011’s So Beautiful Or So What, has been so marvelous that choosing the greatest of his songs from that era is a nearly impossible proposition. With apologies to all the brilliant tracks that didn’t make the cut, here are the best of the best from this one-of-a-kind talent.
