Singer’s biography a heck of a book

This is a heck of book about a man who has become synonymous with memorable melodies and intelligent lyrics.

Robert Hilburn has taken hundreds of hours of interviews with Paul Simon, his family, friends and colleagues and created a fascinating account of the man, his life and his songwriting.

Art Garfunkel is in there, obviously, but Hilburn takes a long, hard look at the relationship of the men whose complimentary voices would create vocal masterpieces to showcase the work of Paul Simon.

The book is more about Paul, and while there are personal touches and childhood reminiscences, the bulk of the book is about the songwriting talent and studio production obsessions of the protagonist.

The book is a study, delving into the intellect of the man who inspired it.

Paul Simon gave the author free reign so we learn about his insecurities and personal problems, his disappointments — his short stature and hair loss — and his love affairs with people, music, places and his own ego.

Paul Simon, born in 1941, calls New York home, and that is where he lived with his parents Lou and Belle through the years that would see him give up his dream of playing professional baseball and turn instead to music. It should have helped that Lou was a professional musician, a bass player, but Paul had to find his own way to music, through the lure of rock and roll.

Art Garfunkel lived just down the street and by the end of sixth grade they were friends. By 1956 they were performing and recording as Tom and Jerry. It was friendship that would be tested time and again over the next few decades. It did not help that the world expected their partnership to be there, on call, whenever a stadium needed packing out to hear the hits they were famous for. It took a long time for Paul to be confident as a songwriter and musician, able to fill those stadiums by himself, without his childhood friend and sparring partner.

The book’s chapters are named for songs written by Paul and the author spends a lot of time studying the creation of those musical masterpieces. We are even treated to lyrics in their entirety as Hilburn makes a point.

This is an inspiring, definitive biography of a clever, flawed man. Every page is interesting, informative and often illuminating. It’s a heck of a book.