Paul Simon  by Paul Simon

The eponymous Paul Simon album of 1972 was not just a record release; it was a declaration of independence. After the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel, Simon found himself at a crossroads, leaving behind the grand orchestrations of Bridge Over Troubled Water to seek a more earthy, experimental, and bold sound. Released in January 1972, it marked his first real solo step after the separation from Art Garfunkel (excluding the early The Paul Simon Songbook of 1965). Wanting to shed the label of the '60s folk singer, Simon characteristically stated: "I didn't want to sing Scarborough Fair again."

The album is considered a precursor to Graceland, as Simon began incorporating rhythms from around the world. Thus, here we have songs like Mother And Child Reunion recorded in Jamaica with Jimmy Cliff's band, making it one of the first hits by a white artist to adopt authentic reggae rhythms. The title, paradoxically, came from a chicken and egg dish at a Chinese restaurant or the playful Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard, which brought Latin American elements with the use of the cuica, while Hobo's Blues included the participation of legendary jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli. The album was produced by Paul Simon and Roy Halee.

Despite his company's doubts, the album achieved enormous success, reaching No. 4 in the U.S. and No. 1 in the United Kingdom. It proved that Paul Simon possessed a musical intelligence that no longer needed Garfunkel's "counterbalance" to shine.