For his biography on Paul Simon titled, The Life, Robert Hilburn is given extensive access to the musician’s friends and family. Simon was interviewed for 100 hours to gain insight into his music and life. The book focuses mainly on the music instead of the relationships and tabloid coverage which is mostly good for music fans though would have been interesting to read more about his years with Carrie Fisher. The stories from his childhood and coming up through the recording industry are fascinating. His relationship with Art Garfunkel is told throughout the book, as their relationship ebbs and flows with several reunion concerts.
Paul Simon as a man comes off as complex and the book stays mostly on his good side. Stories of his generosity abound with him giving songwriting credits to other musicians and paying above scale when he feels it is right. The controversies surrounding the recording of Graceland are just as complex as Simon brushes off the criticism of recording in and touring various African countries. As a man, Simon is also portrayed with single minded ambition, coming off as harsh and aloof at times.
Hilburn writes about the massive successes but also touches on the failures – namely the One Trick Pony movie and The Capeman Broadway play that lasted only a few weeks. The last several chapters aren’t as interesting as they touch on Simon’s last few albums and print the lyrics of several songs. For fans of Paul Simon, and singer-songwriters in general, that want a deep dive into the music, The Life is a recommended read.
8/10
The Light Appears 