Paul Simon May Record with Bob Dylan, Taking Catalog Back to Sony
Paul Simon is going back to Columbia Records.
After three decades with Warner Music, Simon tells me he’s moving his whole solo catalog back to Sony/Columbia Records. That’s everything from 1972’s “Paul Simon” album through his most recent, “Surprise” CD. As a solo artist Simon was with Columbia Records from 1972 until 1980’s “One Trick Pony.” But he’d also been at Columbia through his entire career as half of Simon & (Art) Garfunkel, from 1965 through 1970, ending with “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
When I ran into Paul last Friday night at Yankee Stadium he told me, “I’ve been trying to get my catalog back in the same place as Simon & Garfunkel for a long time.” He is thrilled that it’s happening.
At the same time, Simon is finishing a new album with long time producer Phil Ramone. “It’s the best work I’ve done in 20 years,” be told me, which is a lot since Simon is not one for hyperbole.
Who will issue the new album is still up in the air. It will not be Warner Music Group, which bungled his last couple of CDs including the brilliant “Surprise.” Simon says he’s got a couple of offers, but no deal has been struck yet. He’s thinking of asking Bob Dylan, with whom he’s toured, “to sing something on it.” Simon and Dylan are lifelong peers and colleagues, perhaps the most influential American pop rock songwriters of all time. Such a duet would be quite a milestone.
And there’s more: On June 17th, Simon gets the Towering Song award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame for “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” He’ll be there for the ceremony at the Marriott Marquis. Simon told me he can’t wait to see SHOF president Hal David, author of dozens of classic hits with Burt Bacharach.
“We wrote a song together 40 years ago that I don’t think anyone’s ever heard,” Simon said.
By the way, in case you’re wondering about the passage of time: Simon has been married to singer songwriter Edie Brickell for almost 20 years. Their eldest child is now a high school senior and looking at colleges.
And PS: Canadians are the lucky ones this summer. Simon & Garfunkel tours the northern continent this summer, after a successful trip to Japan.
[…] his solo catalog from sinking ship major EMI to rising indie Concord, but Paul Simon has told Showbiz411’s Roger Friedman of his plans to move his entire output from Warner Music Group to Sony/Columbia. […]
[…] by Phil Ramone, the legendary singer-songwriter calls the forthcoming LP, “the best work I’ve done in 20 years,” which is nearly as long as Simon’s been married to singer Edie Brickell (who also has some […]
[…] about the new release and apparently Simon has the same excitement. In an interview with ShowBizz411.com, Simon stated, “It’s the best work I’ve done in 20 […]
[…] his one line New York Times bio (he reviewed Stephen Sondheim’s new book in late October). And according to Simon, it’s produced by longtime producer/collaborator Phil Ramone, and is “the best work […]
[…] To read more go to Showbiz411.com. […]
Why did Goldman Sachs sell 44% of its investment in BP on March 31st, 2010, 20 days before the deepwater oil rig explosion took place in the Gulf of Mexico? Lucky move? Click on my name for the official data from March 31st.
[…] his solo catalog from sinking ship major EMI to rising indie Concord, but Paul Simon has told Showbiz411’s Roger Friedman of his plans to move his entire output from Warner Music Group to Sony/Columbia. […]
Paul Simon? Is he the guy that wrote the famous folk song, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, written maybe in the 15th or 16th century. His name is on the label as composer. Hot Damn, that means he ‘s over five hundred years old and he doesn’t look a day over seventy!!!
[…] To read more go to Showbiz411.com. […]
[…] According to Roger Friedman, Paul Simon has been a busy man lately: […]