Harper Simon: Harper Simon (Liberator)

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Harper Simon: Wishes and Stars
Harper Simon: Harper Simon (Liberator)

Even on a blindfold test you'd probably only need the first few bars of the second song here -- after the traditional All to God -- to spot this is either Paul Simon, or someone very close to him.

Harper is the 37-year old son of Paul (and you'd have to say by association also of Garfunkel given his light, melodic voice) and he would also have grown up around singer-songwriter Eddie Brickell whom Paul married in '92.

In fact, given his dad (and his second wife Carrie Fisher on The Shine) gets co-credit on two songs here, and that the guests include some of Nashville's finest, plus Sean Lennon, session players like Steve Gadd (who worked with Paul) and Lowell George's daughter Inara (of The Bird and The Bee) you'd have to say Harper has had a lot of helping hands. Not everyone has album art by Tracey Emin either.

That shouldn't be held against him -- but when you hear him shift gears "Oh, but on a serious note" on Tennessee you just know that is exactly how his dad writes (and yep, he's co-credited), and his delivery is also pretty much down the middle of Simon and Garfunkel in many places, as well as indulging that slightly sentimental side that Paul does at times.

So while this is undeniably pleasant you can't help but be reminded of so many Paul, and S&G, songs (and a bit of Dylan) that you might put him closer to Julian than Sean Lennon.

Unfair? Check the posted tracks and you decide. 

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