So Beautiful or So What | Music | Christianity Today

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Paul Simon
So Beautiful or So What (Hear Music)
Released April 2011
Kristin Garrett

Comments (3)

Style: Classic singer-songwriter folk/rock; compare to Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Neil Diamond

Top Tracks: "Getting Ready for Christmas Day," "Dazzling Blue," "So Beautiful or So What"

Listeners who appreciate Paul Simon as a talented poet, storyteller, guitarist, and orchestrator will be thrilled with his latest release. A glimpse at the instrumentation alone impresses; the album is full of international influences, including an Indian ensemble, angklung, bansuri flute, and a western African harp. Its heavy percussive elements, both vocally and instrumentally, also add to the "world music" feel. Once again, Simon strikes a perfect balance between new musical ideas and the funky folk we've come to expect.

Beyond the superb music, the stories Simon weaves throughout are of the utmost importance. At 69, he's brimming with the kind of wisdom that comes only through the decades, at every moment here humility, thankfulness, and, above all, love. "Love and Blessings" bespeaks the power of those two words to slake the thirst of parched hearts. Several tracks—including "Dazzling Blue" and "Love Is Eternal Sacred Light"—bask in the beauty and mystery of creation. "Let the scientists complain," he says of the lack of rain that brings the beauty of "golden days and amber sunsets." Simon is clearly content with life's perplexities, humble in the face of what is bigger than himself.

In the liner notes, Elvis Costello writes, "It seems no accident that three of the song titles contain the word 'love' and most of the others consider it in its many manifestations." But is that love human, divine, or both? Instead of answering such questions, Simon asks some of his own. For example, does "Love and Hard Times" purposefully remind believers that the times we feel abandoned by God are ironically what bring us together in community and inspire generosity, gratefulness, and love? Even "The Afterlife," which initially appears to poke fun at the notion of heaven, hints that true clarity will not come in a moment but will be the result of a process.

The title track appears comes last, and for good reason. "So Beautiful or So What" serves as a concluding statement, recalling James 4:14 with the lyrics, "I'm just a raindrop in a bucket / A coin dropped in a slot … / You know life is what you make of it / So beautiful or so what."

Paul Simon
So Beautiful or So What (Hear Music)
Released April 2011
Kristin Garrett

Comments (3)

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[Reader Reviews]

William A

April 13, 2011 10:25am

This is a 5 star album. Fans of Paul Simon will like it.A previous comment states that the review of this album should have included a disclaimer about Simon's religious beliefs. Paul Simon has been an international star for almost half a century. Anyone who's followed his career even casually should already be aware of his Jewish heritage & his somewhat indifferent attitude toward organized religion. But, I find the album's spiritual references in spite of this to be most interesting.Simon may not consider himself to be a religious person, but these songs illustrate that the reality of something beyond us existing is inescapable to the contemplative mind. God does indeed manage to touch us all. And that, is one very powerful truth about our God.He really does meet us where we are & offers salvation to all who will take it. The decision Paul Simon will ultimately make about this reality is still unknown.But, God is there waiting for him(and for us).That's a great & wonderful thing!

Opus MLE

April 13, 2011 10:11am

Love the review! Thanks. A description of Simon's beliefs, or lack thereof, does not seem particularly germaine here. It seems to me, as a longtime Simon listener and fan, that God speaks through his songs--whether Simon intends it or not. Simon's beliefs aren't an issue--at least not when one understands that God will speak where He will speak when He will speak. A true artist recognizes that--as Simon apparently does.

susie h

April 12, 2011 3:19pm

While I really like Paul Simon I felt this review gave a good review of the music but did not give me much discernment regarding Paul Simon's religious views. I would have been more comfortable with the review had it included the following rather than leaving the listener to infer he might be encouraging faith in our God. I was curious and found the following: In a recent video related to the making of his new album, So Beautiful or So What, Paul Simon says that "he is not a religious person", but notes that many of the songs on his new album turned out to be about God, though he did not consciously plan it that way. Paul does come from a Jewish background-- his parents were Jewish Hungarians. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Paul_Simon_of_Simon_and_Garfunkel_A_Christian# ixzz1JLE7JXqf

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