Paul Simon or Brian Wilson?

[Positive Passion]

I think Paul Simon speaks to me more. I love Brian Wilson's work but I do sort of recognise its genius without really being emotionally involved in many cases.

[Charlie O.]

Wilson. I could echo much of what's already been said.

Instead, I will say this much for Paulie:

a) although it's been 28 years since the last PS album that really satisfied me (The Rhythm Of The Saints), I'd still be more curious to hear what he's up to now than to hear Brian's latest; and

b) if Brian Wilson and Paul Simon were both playing in town, on the same night but in different venues, and if somebody were to offer me free tickets to see either one, I'd choose Simon (unless Wilson was doing Smile again - I missed that tour). I have seen and enjoyed both - several times, in Brian's case - and they both have terrific bands and, duh, terrific songs. But Simon seems like he actually enjoys being on stage; with Brian I invariably get the uneasy feeling that he's only there because his wife and his manager have told him that he needs to confront his demons.

[sloopjohnc]

Not much in it as far as songwriting goes, although Paul is obviously a better lyricist (did Brian ever write a {good} lyric?), but Brian wins hands down as a producer/arranger/studio bod, and as a performer. Not that it's relevant, but I also get the impression he's a nicer guy.

I also think it's a East Coast/West Coast thing. Simon fills up his songs with lyrics, as if he's in a hurry. Wilson's approach to songwriting and lyrics is much more laid back. He gets to the point quicker.

Bruh.

Ask Diamond Dog how much he enjoys that west coast vibe when we're ordering food at an LA Jolly Up? Maybe I read the situation completely wrong, but the slow pace of getting around to the subject after someone mentioned getting food was completely natural to me. But the polite tension on Pete's face as ordering completely stalled, was priceless.

[slightbreeze]

Wilson for the music, Simon for the lyrics

[Diamond Dog]

Ask Diamond Dog how much he enjoys that west coast vibe when we're ordering food at an LA Jolly Up? Maybe I read the situation completely wrong, but the slow pace of getting around to the subject after someone mentioned getting food was completely natural to me. But the polite tension on Pete's face as ordering completely stalled, was priceless.

"Stalled" massively overstates the progress being made... "catatonic inaction" is much closer to the truth.

[Muskrat]

Still thinking it over...

[toomanyhatz]

As I do with these comparisons these days:

Good Simon vs. Good Wilson - WIlson (nowhere near close)
Average SImon vs. Average Wilson - WIlson (but pretty close)
Bad Simon vs. Bad Wilson - Simon (there's not that much bad Simon, but he rarely is truly embarrassingly bad, which can't be said for Wilson)

The gap on the first is so huge that it's Wilson a million times over, however.

[toomanyhatz]

Also, Wilson was the better collaborator of the two, and he had to work with effin' Mike Love. Simon had Garfunkel, and didn't do as well.

[Muskrat]

Simon had Garfunkel...

Not as a writer, thank God.

[Bent Fabric]

Simon had Garfunkel...

Not as a writer, thank God.

"You people think I'm wordy!"

[Charlie O.]

Ask Diamond Dog how much he enjoys that west coast vibe when we're ordering food at an LA Jolly Up? Maybe I read the situation completely wrong, but the slow pace of getting around to the subject after someone mentioned getting food was completely natural to me. But the polite tension on Pete's face as ordering completely stalled, was priceless.

"Stalled" massively overstates the progress being made... "catatonic inaction" is much closer to the truth.

Still thinking it over...

[Purgatory Brite]

Paul Simon. A judgement based on personal taste rather than any evaluation of his artistic merits. I've followed him since his One-Trick Pony album.

As for Brian Wilson, I've only developed an appreciation for the music of the Beach Boys in the last 3 or 4 years. Before that I rather dismissed them as being music for the "Mojo demographic".

[Moleskin]

Paul Simon is more likely to record a decent LP; in 2018, and most of the last thirty years, Smile and That Lucky Old Sun possibly excluded.

[sloopjohnc]

Ask Diamond Dog how much he enjoys that west coast vibe when we're ordering food at an LA Jolly Up? Maybe I read the situation completely wrong, but the slow pace of getting around to the subject after someone mentioned getting food was completely natural to me. But the polite tension on Pete's face as ordering completely stalled, was priceless.

"Stalled" massively overstates the progress being made... "catatonic inaction" is much closer to the truth.

[The Modernist]

Brian by miles. It’s not even close for me

Ditto

[kalowski II: The Revenge]

Naturally it’s Brian, the idea that he’s a laid back fellow is fucking insane.

[Quaco]

Roger Christian wrote the words to "Don't Worry Baby" didn't he?

[Diamond Dog]

Simon 13 Wilson 16....

Closer than I anticipated.

I would sum up my feelings thus - for me, Paul Simon created some of the greatest music of the 60's but pretty much all of his solo career I can pretty much gladly avoid. There's certainly nothing comes close to the highs of "Emily...Kathy's... America...Song For The Asking...Only Living Boy etc etc". But Brian Wilson wrote one of my very favourite albums in "Pet Sounds" and, for that alone, he's a visionary in a way Simon never was. However, with the odd exception, I struggle with most of the rest of his catalogue... I'm not a Beach Boys fan, in any way. In fact, I'd say "Pet Sounds" is an outlier in their (and Wilson's) catalogue.


So I'm still undecided - I realise Wilson was the visionary, but there is much more of Simon's output I like.

[Footy]

There was a time - before everyone wore ear/headphones - when on sunny days like today, people would play generic reggae or the Beach Boys loudly in their back yards. For me, though, it would be S&G or Paul Simon - music I, personally, find a great accompaniment to the warm sunshine.
Back in the 60s or early 70s, I can't imagine ever wasting the hours in the darkness late at night listening to the Beach Boys as I did to S&G.
Unfortunately, the Beach Boys never clicked for me and they remain a group that I actually dislike even having tried over the years to get them for fear of missing out. My loss, I'm sure. Of course, I acknowledge that Brian Wilson has been responsible for some truly great songs but my prejudice against his band prevents me from enjoying those in the way I perhaps should.

Paul Simon on the other hand, has always spoken to me in a way that I understand; from the lyrics of great love songs to the humour in the more lightweight stuff, always enjoying the tunes, the singing and the playing. I like the solo stuff a lot....the last one I bought was last year's effort and although I haven't listened to it for a few months, it'll be going in the car this afternoon thanks to this thread.

[NMB]

I just thought The Only Living Boy In New York and voted Simon.