Late in the Evening - Paul Simon (1980) 9/24/23

Paul Simon has always been a fan (and student) of World music, and he started incorporating various rhythms into his songs as early as "Cecilia," back in 1971.

Over the years, Paul has created some Great Songs using sounds you don't normally hear in American music. Besides "Cecilia," there's "Me & Julio Down By the Schoolyard," "You Can Call Me Al," and several others, including today's Great Song of 1980: the almost forgotten "Late in the Evening," from his classic album, "One Trick Pony."

This rhythmic masterpiece melds Cuban music with New York Jazz, and rhythms from Mozambique, into something you can't help but dance to--or at the very least--tap your feet.

The brass section is crazy good, and drummer Steve Gadd sets the pace by using FOUR drumsticks at the same time--two in each-hand--to create the sound of TWO drummers keeping the beat.

"Late in the Evening" was different than anything else on the radio in 1980, and people took notice. The song reached #6 on Billboard's Hot 100, and #7 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. In Canada, it climbed to #2 on the AC Chart.

"Late in the Evening" by Paul Simon...bringing World music to North America with a Great Song of 1980! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilzvuie7Bks

T

omorrow: Bill & Grover