Paul Simon - You're The One

The manner in which a superstar responds to a setback says a great deal about the artist. Some choose to conclude that the world is simply off its orbit and they're the only ones who've noticed. Others cower in semiretirement and never again climb to great heights. And another bunch go back to what brung 'em, which is the route Paul Simon has opted to take with his first outing since his misbegotten Broadway debut, Capeman. The title of this 11-song collection says it all. You're the One is as understated as they come; this time out, Simon is a singer-songwriter, not a composer. As such, You're the One is more reminiscent of initial insular post-Simon & Garfunkel LPs like There Goes Rhymin' Simon and Still Crazy After All These Years than the expansive Graceland. With no new lands to conquer, Simon has fashioned a collection whose appeal lies with its 11 crafty, catchy tunes, all of which are delivered with spirit and wit, particularly on the character-driven likes of "Pigs, Sheep and Wolves," "Darling Lorraine," and "Old." The lesson is that you don't need to make a Broadway production of life's little joys and heartaches; they fit quite nicely into a four-minute song. --Steven Stolder