Romancing the past

The two CDs today are respectful nods to the past, with an eye to the present. While the artist (Paul Simon) and the material (Ronan Keating taking on Burt Bacharach songs) may both seem imbued with nostalgia, it’s interesting to see what sparks fly, and how relevant good music can be, regardless where it comes from.

Paul Simon — So Beautiful or So What (MCA Universal). Dating back to his “& Garfunkel” days, all the way to his Rhymin’ Simon and Graceland renaissance period, Paul Simon has proven himself a consummate moper, who still manages to make scintillating music. The eternal pessimist is back with a CD of fresh material that shows truth blink her eye, love may have finally found a way to make Simon a smidgin’ more optimistic and hopeful for his sunset days. One track has two members of the Holy Trinity coming down to Earth to assess just how well we humans have done running this world; while another track essays Questions for the Angels. Loved Rewrite and how Simon still has that global sound going for him. Nothing really new, but it’s good to have him back!

Ronan Keating — When Ronan Met Burt (MCA Universal). Aging popster/crooner collaborates with ageless songwriter who has been at it for over 50 years. How else can we describe the CD of Bacharach songs as reworked and interpreted by Keating of Boyzone fame? One can’t fault the selection of songs and they certainly sound different as sung by Keating, but the question will be “Do they always work?” By and large, the songs are a tasteful reminder of just how much Bacharach has played an integral part of our aural landscape of the last decades. Whether we know the songs as originals, or as used in various movie soundtracks, one can’t deny the musical magic that was created. Just didn’t understand why almost all songs were slowed down for this album.