The Essential Paul Simon

The Essential Paul Simon
Compilation album by Paul Simon
Released June 26, 2007
Recorded 1971-2006
Genre Rock
Length 148:23
Label

Warner (Original Release)

Columbia (Reissue)
Producer Paul Simon
Phil Ramone
Roy Halee
Paul Simon chronology

Surprise
(2006)		 The Essential Paul Simon
(2007)		 So Beautiful or So What
(2011)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic link

The Essential Paul Simon is a compilation of Paul Simon's songs from the years 1971-2006. An edition exists with a DVD featuring performances from The Dick Cavett Show and Saturday Night Live.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Paul Simon except as noted.

Disc 1

  1. "Mother and Child Reunion" - 3:04
  2. "Loves Me Like a Rock" - 3:32
  3. "Me and Julio Down by the School Yard" - 2:44
  4. "Duncan" (early-faded) - 4:29
  5. "Kodachrome" - 3:33
  6. "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" - 3:28
  7. "Slip Slidin' Away" - 4:45
  8. "Gone at Last" - 3:38
  9. "Something So Right" - 4:32
  10. "Late in the Evening" - 4:02
  11. "Hearts and Bones" - 5:39
  12. "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" - 3:26
  13. "That Was Your Mother" - 2:54
  14. "American Tune" - 3:45
  15. "Peace Like a River" - 3:18
  16. "Stranded in a Limousine" - 3:07
  17. "Train in the Distance" (edit) - 4:22
  18. "The Late Great Johnny Ace" - 4:47
  19. "Still Crazy After All These Years" - 3:25

Disc 2

  1. "Graceland" - 4:46
  2. "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" - (Simon, Joseph Shabalala) - 5:38
  3. "The Boy in the Bubble" - (Simon, Forere Motloheloa) 3:58
  4. "You Can Call Me Al" - 4:36
  5. "Under African Skies" - 3:35
  6. "The Obvious Child" - 4:08
  7. "Born at the Right Time" - 3:48
  8. "The Cool, Cool River" - 4:31
  9. "Spirit Voices" - (Simon, Milton Nascimento) 3:54
  10. "Adios Hermanos" - (Simon, Derek Walcott) 4:43
  11. "Born in Puerto Rico" - (Simon, Walcott) 4:55
  12. "Quality" - (Simon, Walcott) 4:12
  13. "Darling Lorraine" - 6:36
  14. "Hurricane Eye" - 4:13
  15. "Father and Daughter" - 4:10
  16. "Outrageous" - (Simon, Brian Eno) 3:22
  17. "Wartime Prayers" - 4:48

DVD bonus

Videos

  1. "Me and Julio Down by the School Yard" - Directed by Gary Weis, 1988 (video includes 25 second rap intro) 3:12
  2. "You Can Call Me Al" - Directed by Gary Weis, 1986 4:40
  3. "The Boy in the Bubble" - Directed by Jim Blashfield, 1986 4:03
  4. "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" - Directed by Ethan Russell, 1987 5:50
  5. "The Obvious Child" - Directed by Ruy Guerra, 1990 4:33
  6. "Father and Daughter" (from "The Wild Thornberrys" movie, 2002) - Directed by Wayne Isham, 2002 4:08

TV Appearances

  1. "Mrs. Robinson" - Excerpt from "The Dick Cavett Show" (April 4, 1970) 4:14
  2. "Loves Me Like a Rock" - Excerpt from "Saturday Night Live" (Oct 18, 1975) 3:20
  3. "Sweeney Sisters" - Excerpt from "Saturday Night Live" (Dec 19, 1987) 6:15
  4. "Homeward Bound" with George Harrison - Excerpt from "Saturday Night Live" (Nov 20, 1976) 3:33