Still Crazy After All These Fifty Years

Rhymin’ Simon is still having a good time

Paul Simon met his old lover on the street and she seemed so glad to see him he just smiled. They talked about some old times and drank themselves some beers, prompting Paul to confess that he was “still crazy after all these years.” That was a fifty years ago, and the 1975 hit, one of several on the eponymous album, is now being discovered by youthful reactors. A live performance moved Strong Lady D to tears, and Brad After Dark proclaimed the tune “grown folks music,” mature and “classy sounding.” There’s a reason that is so.

Personnel on the album includes Michael Brecker, Eddie Daniels, David Sanborn and Phil Woods, three of the all-time great saxophonists. Should that be doubted check out Brecker on the Sonny Rollins classic “Oleo,” Eddie Daniels on “Slam Dunk,” and Sanborn and Woods busting up “Willow Weep for Me.” Toots Thielmans chips in on harmonica while Grady Tate, Steve Gadd and Roger Hawkins trade off on drums. Backup singers include Art Garfunkel, Patti Austin and Phoebe Snow. She is known for the 1974 hit “Poetry Man,” now catching on with reactors such as the perceptive Britt. The stellar crew compliments Simon’s timeless lyrics.

Paul wonders why he should worry because “it’s all gonna fade.” That turns out to be true in a way he probably didn’t imagine at the time. Michael Brecker passed away in 2007, Phoebe Snow in 2011, Phil Woods in 2015 and David Sanborn in 2024. Rest in peace great ones, and thanks for the memories.

Paul Simon carries on at 83. He may still be crazy after all these years, and could have done some damage one fine day. All things considered, he’s probably still having a good time.