Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'

Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'
Studio album by Paul Simon
Released	April 1974
Recorded	Unknown
Genre	Rock
Length	51:56
Label	Columbia, then Warner Bros.
Producer	Phil Ramone
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Robert Christgau (C+) link
Paul Simon chronology
There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973) Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin (1974) Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)

Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin' is an album by Paul Simon, released in April 1974 by Columbia Records. It was recorded during Simon's 1973-74 tour in the wake of the release of There Goes Rhymin' Simon – which produced a number of hit singles ("Kodachrome" and "Loves Me Like a Rock") and radio staples (as "Something So Right" and "Take Me to the Mardi Gras"). However, the album presents a very truncated version of the concerts he performed on this tour, which consisted of up to 24 songs.

The liner notes fail to note where the album was recorded, although some have speculated it is a compilation taken from various concerts while others suggest it is from two concerts at Royal Albert Hall in London. Judging from the applause in response to various geographical references in "America" it seems likely that at least parts of it were recorded in the eastern United States.

Simon was joined by Urubamba and the Jessy Dixon Singers, although the individual members are not identified either on the recording or on the liner notes. In addition to "Jesus Is the Answer," included on the album, Jesse Dixon also performed "What Do They Call Him" on tour, while Urubamba performed the instrumentals "Kapchapari" and "Death in Santa Cruz."

The album was Simon's first live release and showed him performing Simon & Garfunkel songs solo in concert for the first time. The variety of songs and richness of styles helped to the album appeal. Most notably was the notable Simon's fascination in the gospel, something that was materialized in the arrangements on many of the songs, taking distance from Simon's classical folk early style.

Near the end of the album, an audience member calls out for Simon to "say a few words." He replies: "Say a few words? Well, let's hope that we continue to live."

The album was a moderate success. It reached #33 in the U.S. and eventually reached a Gold certification by the RIAA. However, it failed to chart at all in the UK. Further, two of the live performances were released as a single as part of the promotion for the album - the breakthrough Simon & Garfunkel "The Sound of Silence" in the A-side with Simon's debut single "Mother and Child Reunion" on the B-side.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Paul Simon; except where indicated.

Side 1

1. "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" – 2:47
2. "Homeward Bound" – 2:45
3. "American Tune" – 3:58
4. "El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could)" (Simon, Jorge Milchberg, Daniel Alomía Robles) – 4:08
5. "Duncan" – 5:11
6. "The Boxer" – 6:11

Side 2

1. "Mother and Child Reunion" – 4:00
2. "The Sound of Silence" – 4:27
3. "Jesus Is the Answer" (Jessy Dixon Singers solo) – 3:28
4. "Bridge over Troubled Water" – 7:10
5. "Loves Me Like a Rock" – 3:16
6. "America" – 4:35