Talk about iconic singer-songwriters, Paul Simon is pretty much as good as it gets. Starting out as "Tom & Jerry" back in 1956, but then becoming Simon & Garfunkel in 1964, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had amazing commercial success, including three number one singles in the U.S.: "The Sound of Silence"; "Mrs. Robinson"; and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." All of them were written by Paul Simon.
It's hard to imagine music in the 1960s without thinking about Simon & Garfunkel. Combining folk, rock and pop, their sound was pretty much a bridge between the pop and folk sounds of the early 60s and the harder edged rock of the 70s.
Simon & Garfunkel split in 1970, although they did some projects together after that, including the highly anticipated and wildly famous Concert in Central Park in 1981.
In 1972, Simon released his highly acclaimed debut solo album, "Paul Simon," which included two hit singles: "Mother and Child Reunion" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." Both of those songs are almost anthem-like to those of us who were listening to pop radio back in the early 70s. And for good reason: They're both incredible songs.
Simon, particularly, had a long and successful solo career, including winning a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1987 for "Graceland."
But my favorite Paul Simon song is still "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." So today's song is a Simon & Garfunkel live version of "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" from the 1981 Concert in Central Park. And, as an added bonus, here is Nick Gunty, along with Matt Lyons (off screen) and me, doing a rehearsal version of "Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard" right here in this kitchen.