Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon
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4.4 • 225 Ratings
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- $19.99
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon is unlike any artistic portrait you’ve ever heard before. Recorded over a series of 30 hours of conversation between Simon, Malcolm Gladwell, and Broken Record podcast co-host Bruce Headlam, the conversation flows from Simon’s music to his childhood in Queens, NY, his frequent collaborators including Art Garfunkel, and the nature of creativity itself. Gladwell and Headlam traveled from the mountains of Hawaii to Simon’s own backyard studio to record an artist they’ve idolized since childhood.
Archival audio tracks and never-before-heard live studio versions are woven throughout the audiobook alongside distinctive commentary about Simon’s songwriting and beloved hits like “The Boxer,” “The Sound of Silence,” and “Graceland.” Between conversations, Gladwell deploys his signature blend of historical research and social science in an attempt to understand how a boy from 1940s Queens conjured near-perfect songs over an incredible 65-year career. Along the way he gathers reflections on Simon’s particular genius from the likes of Sting, Herbie Hancock, Renee Fleming, Jeff Tweedy, Aaron Lindsey, and Roseanne Cash.
The result is an intimate audio biography of one of America’s most popular songwriters. Brimming with music, and conversation, Miracle and Wonder is a window into Paul Simon’s legendary career, what it means to be alive as an artist, and how to create work that endures.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
If you love exploring the intimate experiences, strange stories, and creative magic behind great music, you’re in for a treat. In this fascinating audiobook, author Malcolm Gladwell sits down with legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon for a series of in-depth interviews to discuss the musician’s most iconic songs and the stories behind them. And as always, Gladwell goes deep—prompting Simon to discuss how everything from his childhood in Queens to his creative partnerships have helped shape his music throughout his six-decade plus career. But this is so much more than a biography. Simon fills the listening experience with impromptu performances, demonstrating how a simple guitar riff became the foundation for “The Boxer” and giving us new insight on the creation of classics like “Homeward Bound” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” (Improbably, Simon and then-partner Art Garfunkel each thought the other should sing the song!) There are even excerpts from interviews with famous fans like Sting, Rosanne Cash, and Aaron Lindsay, who provide even more insight into what makes Simon’s work so special. Miracle and Wonder is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to understand the connection between the man and his music.
Customer Reviews
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This is an excellent retrospective as well as a lesson in storytelling from the artists perspective. I was disappointed at the lack of acknowledgment Paul offered to Art Garfunkel, which almost trivializes their collective work. Paul’s struggle with “giving Bridge Over Troubled Water to Art” and it taking Paul 47 years to perform it as he intended diminished a masterpiece, making Paul appear a sore winner.
Such a gift
Thank you so much Malcom and your team for creating this gem. As a lifelong Paul Simon fan, this was a real treasure and joy to listen to. And thank you Paul Simon for sharing your life and music with us! It was a tall order to stand up an audiobook to the quality, depth, magnitude of Paul Simon’s work, and I think you did both the man and the work justice.
Outstanding. A masterpiece interview. A MUST!
This is a great and fascinating look not just at the person and artist Paul Simon but at the very essence of what it means to be an artist. I am very grateful that Paul Simon was such an open book to someone who really appreciates him. I’ve always liked Paul Simon yet this made me realize how brilliant he really has been for so long. Fascinating. And Gladwell has designed a very new and exciting way to explore an artist. It’s very similar to an interview. Kind of like a great 60 Minutes episode. One of my all time favorite audiobooks and interviews. Just buy it already!