Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al | REACTION
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- čas přidán 12. 01. 2023
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#PaulSimon #YouCanCallMeAl - Hudba
This album is a masterpiece. Paul wrote this song after a terrible society party where he and his wife were introduced as Al and Betty all evening and gushed over "his work" without knowing who tf he was
Some people say that "Graceland" is the best album ever recorded. Its unbelievingly beautiful, innovative, entertaining and historic. Simon went to , then Apartheid, South Africa to work with black musicians and made their music known and popular on a global scale. You have to watch the concert "Graceland" from 1987 in Zimbabwe, including Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, both famous musicians/singer from SA. Its so great! My whole family loved the Graceland album and concert and a couple of years later Apartheid was over and Nelson Mandela was free to become the first black President of SA. I think that the publicity Simon got for the album worldwide helped to fasten this process...
The bass line in this song is perfection
It's my favorite part of this tune!
The base is so predominant in this song
Bakhiti Khumalo made me realise what incredible bass playing means.
Hey, Al Stewart fans! Al and Paul were flat mates in London back in the mid sixties. They had neighboring rooms, and Al was the first person to hear a lot of the early S&G songs. Al tells a hilarious story on a live songs album about his first time in the US as an unknown, when his tour fell through, and he was forced to beg random strangers for help. He was crashing at some very unimpressed girl's place when he called Paul Simon for help, and he and Art came by in a limo to pick him up. The girl's attitude changed.
I'm a huge Al Stewart (and Paul Simon fan). I like that Al credits listening to Paul write a new song through the walls as how he learned to write songs.
WoW! thanks for this story, Derek - I love Al Stewart! I really appreciate learning about this... !!
Great effing song and artist. Thanks for hitting Paul Simon. LATE IN THE EVENING is one that y'all might dig.
I love how Paul just sits there trying to look disgusted (and keep from laughing) while Chevy hams it up! This is definitely a video of its time and I still LOVE it! There is also a video of Paul, Chevy and Steve Martin doing Pauls song 'Proof' from the same album. Great music, great videos, great times back then. I miss having fun music. I believe 'fun' may have been cancelled. Great reaction guys.....Thank You!
small correction: "Proof" would be on the next album "The Rhythm of the saints", but otherwise totally right.
The bass solo is fire! The quirkiness of the song makes it great. Chevy makes the video!
In case you were wondering, Chevy Chase is 6'4". Paul Simon is 5'2".
The video was a lark..a spoof...
The album..Graceland.. is amazing...
Paul was the musical genius and top wordsmith of the duo Simon and Garfunkle...
🌿🌿🌿
Paul and Chevy knew each other from SNL Paul Simon has hosted SNL four times, including the second episode ever, and been a musical guest eight times, with another five cameo appearances and one filmed cameo over the years.
What a generous musician. Paul Simon just let Chevy Chase take center stage. Simon's sense of humor shines through it all. He is and always has been an amazing songwriter and musician.
Paul's pretty short, but hugely talented. I'm impressed that ya'll knew who Chevy was! 👍❤🤙
Chevy Chase played drums with Becker & Fagen just before Steely Dan truly formed. The bassist on Call Me Al was incredible in the video concert version, pluckin and slapping .. definitely worth finding and watching .. the African rhythms shined throughout
He's on Spotify, I listen to him every once in a while. He's a very cool bassist. Bakithi Kumalo if you want to check out his solo stuff.
At the time, this video was amazingly surprising. The creativity of the 80s.
I love seeing the younger generation appreciate older music. If nothing else, all the instruments that were played back in the day on one song is phenomenal. Most of today's music just pales in comparison when it comes to musical ability.
Always LOVED this song in the day I'm surprised at all the ambiguous reactions of everyone else!! This is a GREAT SONG with GREAT LYRICS and great to dance to
If you want to hear another side of Paul Simon, check out "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover". It features a timeless drum groove laid down by the immortal Steve Gadd.
That whole album, "Still Crazy After All These Years" is FIRE.
One of the funniest things on SNL ever was paul Simon dressed as a Turkey on the snl Thanksgiving show,and he sang a song .......
Still Crazy after all These Years...Very funny stuff! He dejectedly walks out in the turkey suit...knowing he looks ridiculous and he's visibly humiliated. He starts singing and...looks over to Lorne or whoever...and says, no, I can't do this! 😂He was always such a good sport, and was a perfect guest for that show (well, back when it was actually still a great show!) Stopped watching it years ago when it got all PC and preachy.
It was a skit on SNL back in the day, playing with the personalities that Paul and Chevy played on the shows.
I saw the concert in Central Park where Chevy Chase made a cameo on this song!
Huge comeback song for Simon who kind of faded from public view in the latter 70s. He had a few unsuccessful (for Simon) albums many years apart between 75 and Graceland. Then BAM Graceland was a breath of fresh Simonic air. Having been a Simon fan before this album, then having this slam into the musical universe, it was just incredible.
The entire album “Graceland” was recorded with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and is incredible!
Chevy went to Bard College and played in a band with Walter Becker and Donald Fagen who later formed Steely Dan.
Paul Simon was the first musical guest on Saturday Night Life and is a natural comedian.
Another cool and unusual song by Paul Simon is Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover.
WOW ! Blows my mind y”all haven’t reacted to any Simon & Garfunkel! “ Mrs. Robinson” , “ The Boxer” , “ Sound of Silence” and tons more hits! Spectacular music!
Hazy Shade Of Winter
The Boxer, definitely.
This is simply a great feelgood song. It makes you happy.
One of my favorite songs and funniest videos
Paul Simon does amazing work in Africa and learns hundreds of traditional instruments.
I've watched this video so often on CZcams that I could have worn it out! What fun, what a great song.
After your emotional reaction to 'How Could You Leave Us' the other day, it's really nice to see you all laughing and enjoying this fun song. ❤
Chevy Chase is so very talented, he CAN sing. I believe this was on Saturday Night Live.
This song was spectacular on the two CD live set "Concert in the Park" from 1991 (Central Park in NY). You will binge the whole damn thing without stopping, it is unparalleled. Do it!
The production is a bit dated, but it's still a very strong song. Made with a bunch of great African musicians. Paul has a lot of excellent solo songs (and Simon and Garfunkel were superb) - try "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", "Kodachrome", "Train in the Distance", "Loves Me Like a Rock", or "American Tune"... oh, and Chevy is 6'4", Paul is 5'3".
CBS produced a music video of You Can Call Me Al, but Paul Simon wasn't happy with it. Chevy Chase was a friend and a fan of Paul's music. They talked and decided to remake the video, which became the official music video.
I highly recommend Paul Simon's song "Still Crazy After All These Years" for a reaction video. It even has a nice little sax solo for Ryan.
There is a nuance to Paul’s lyrics that requires discernment and reflection. There is a subtle underlying message in Paul’s humor.
One of my favorite music videos ever!
So many solo hits for Paul to check out. May I suggest firstly Late in the evening live performance or Diamonds on the souls of her shoes.
It's a fretless bass and a backwards bass solo, Paul is credited with playing a six string bass
I guess you guys figured out that any cheese in this song was purposely done. Just a funny song all around.
As I can recall, Paul said something about when he and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) were married, they lived across the hall, or next door to some guy who just didn't remember their names, and instead always called them "Al", and "Betty"!
Paul Simon certainly has a gift when it comes to descriptive and interesting word play!
My two favorite songs by S&G are, "Sounds of Silence" (duh!) and "Hazy Shade of Winter".
As for Chevy Chase...When in college, along with studying acting, Chase was also a musician. Chase played drums in college for a band called The Leather Canary, which he referred to as a “bad Jazz band.” After he left the band, two band members and classmates went on to be quite successful as the band Steely Dan.
One of the best albums ever made, and the video just never gets old! Makes me laugh every time. No matter what your expectations are, Paul Simon will exceed them! He appeared on Saturday Night Live numerous times with the original cast.
This album is a masterpiece... start to finish.
Quirky song, but fun. I really like "Still Crazy After All These Years."
Good memories... This song always makes me smile.
Chevy was part of a 3 piece combo in college with Donald Fagan and Walter Becker, Steely Dan. I'd love to have seen that! Musical and comedic geniuses.
Simon and Garfunkel. You should definitely check some out!
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes is epic!
In 1984, after a period of depression, Simon became fascinated by a bootleg cassette of mbaqanga, South African street music. He and Halee visited Johannesburg, where they spent two weeks recording with South African musicians. (Wikipedia).
Diamonds on the soles of his shoes, should be your next reaction from this album.
Love this song so much more because of the vid. Is made more comical because of the height difference. Chevy is able to swing his trumpet right over Paul's head.
I remember loving this video with my brother when we were kids and we were watching MTV. It's still a good party song, come on Nick! :)
Paul simon, Chevy Chase, and Steve Martin did a video for the song Proof . I witnessed the makings of it because it was filmed during the Richmond Virginia Christmas parade
That safari sound is actually Southern African, both the background voices & the bassline. As someone already posted the musicians on the album we're black South African during apartheid. That album shed a light on black South African music.
Hey fellas..had to come back to leave a suggestion...😁...
💥...Black Velvet...Alanna Myles...
It's from a while back but you'll thank yourself..I guarantee !!...
🌿🌿🌿
One of the best, underrated voices in Rock! I'd pick "Rockinghorse".
Paul Simon is pretty famous...in some circles. In others, not so much. One night, he and his wife went to a party of a famous composer/conductor who apparently had no idea who they were. He introduced them to his other guests as "Al and Betty", which Paul Simon found hilarious.
So...the apparently odd title and chorus of this song were inspired by that memory.
If you’ll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty, when you call me,
You can call me Al
Call me Al
I was working in Canada as a consultant and had tickets for this concert tour, but I got snowed in where I was and I missed the con. Later I was in South Africa and had just finished and had to go home, 2 weeks before Paul Simon played in South Africa. Missed him again. I did manage to see him finally in Vancouver about 8 years ago.
Chevy sings a few bars here and there in a couple movies (Caddyshack "I was born to love you - I was born to lick your face.."). The music is great, as usual, and you need the lyrics to keep up (or read the crib notes), and you're right - you can't unsee that video!. This whole album is worth a listen. Some of my favorite solo Paul include 50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER, CECILIA, LATE IN THE EVENING, SLIP SLIDING AWAY, and LOVES ME LIKE A ROCK.
i can never tell if younger folks watching this video get the chevy chase joke... glad to see these lads do!
This album was very big. Paul Simon went to South Africa and worked with local musicians as well a the vocal band Ladysmith Black Mombasa. You asked if this was a real bass, yes it is, but with lots of effects including flange. In the documentary, the bassist said he had been playing this song one way, but on the day, he said to Paul Simon, "today is my birthday, and I would like to play it differently". Simon said yes, and that is what you hear today (of course, there is the little bit that was played in reverse as well!)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
I believe the musicians also went to New York to record some tracks.
I love the song and video and great album
You really, really need to listen to the song Graceland.
You should watch this song live. The musicianship is amazing and it works like a charm.
When you review Simon and Garfunkel, the song "America" would be a good place to start. The lyrics are amazing.
This album is FIRE!!!!
Chevy Chase actually played drums in a band with Donald Fagan and Walter Becker, of Steely Dan, in Bard college, upstate NY.
Paul Simon has a great sense of humor and appeared many times on SNL as a musical guest and in sketches. He was also on another Lorne Michaels produced show in the 80s called The New Show. Very funny guy and a fantastic songwriter. You should Deep dive the lyrics for this one. The video is great but distracts from a first time listen.
Interesting Fact: Al Gore intended this to be his 2000 Presidential Campaign song. However, the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke and they dropped the song because of the second verse about his "role model" going "down the alley with some roly-poly little bat faced girl" and there were "incidents and accidents, hints and allegations."
The whole Graceland album is amazing. Watch a live performance video of this song. So good!
Paul Simon and Chevy Chase were well-acquainted because Paul had hosted SNL in their first season. Chevy was at his commercial peak around this time. The Graceland album would be Paul's foray into exploring so-called 'world music' and 'afropop'.
This was a fun song to hear and Chevy doing the video made it hilarious
Trying to catch all the lyrics is fun, Me and Julio Down by the School Yard, has a great video too, Paul Simon did alot of experimenting in the mid 80's Graceland is a great album
Chevy is tall Paul. lol
Here's another popular song by Paul Simon "Paul Simon - Still Crazy After All These Years (Official Audio)" this song is the third and final single, from his fourth solo studio album "Still Crazy After All These Years" it was released in 1975. The single peaked at number 1 for one week on Billboard's Top 200 album chart. This album produced four US Top 40 Hits "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" (no. 1), "Gone At Last" (No. 23), "My Little Town" (No. 9, credited to Simon & Garfunkel) and the title track (No. 40) Paul Simon can write bangers. lol 😆 🎶 Great reaction fellas, thanks for sharing
Yeah - guy in purple hat... fun song and you think of the vid when you hear it again. Back in the day when FM radio DJs lined up the hits - weekdays and weekends (days and nights) - it would get played. It's def fun, catchy, great - fun tune and well done. I love when comedy is paired w music. Paul is a shorty and Chevy is tall so the diff is quite noticeable.
Lyrically I don't much like the chorus, but the verses contain such great imagery!
"Don't want to end up a cartoon in a cartoon graveyard"
"He ducked back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl"
"He looks around, around
He sees angels in the architecture
Spinning in infinity
He says, 'Amen and Hallelujah!' "
It's a fun song and a fun video!
Well, I think your next song by Simon should be "50 ways to leave your lover". The man is a great story teller. 50 ways is a bit of a departure for Simon. A must hear!
Chevy Chase is one of my favorite actors, I still watch the movie "Christmas Holidays", "vacation", love, love) at Christmas. Funny song, thanks for the reaction!
Paul Simon knows how to play all those instruments.
The bass player is Bakithi Kumalo. Also toured with Paul for a while. Album mostly recorded in South Africa.
I always think of the video when i hear the song. Al Stewart and Paul Simon were room mates when they started out. Al was interested in Paul's writing process. Also Paul Simon was on the first season or two of SNL when Chevy was a cast member. Fun to watch your first reactions to this. Yeah, watching with the video makes it more fun. 🙂
Chase is tall at about 6'4 but Simon is only about 5'3 so it's quite a difference.
This song was the poppiest on the album, and probably my least favorite song. The album is a masterpiece. "Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes" is my favorite song. Lots of amazing fretless bass on this album!
The video is fun to watch though.
Yes, I loved that song too!
@@saraheart2804 I've always thought the video ruined the song.
Graceland is a must have for all albums collections. Please, never stop a song in the middle. It's meant to be heard in whole and then reviewed. Glad you liked it and yes, I gave you a thumbs up.
PS If you liked this you'll like Kodachrome as well. Check it out!
You hear all these songs in the grocery store.
You mentioned safari....
This album came out after Paul had been to South Africa and heard the Kwela local Capetonian bands .
Penny whistle , jazzy with the African bass sounds in the guitar and the , Umm ,Umm vocals .
when I was in high school, one of our friends' surname was Davis, and so his nickname was Betty (after the old actress Betty Davis. a reference also to the song "Betty Davis Eyes" cause he had big eyes) We also had a friend named Alastair, and we called him Al for short. not long afterwards, this song was released, guess what song they kept singing all the time.
Never did care for this one, it was a big hit back in the day though. I loved “50 ways to leave your lover”.
I love they way you guys were grooving to the song .
Ladysmith Black Mombasa are the backup singers on this album. Fabulous guys!
So where did "Al" and "Betty" in this song come from? That stems from a 1970 party that Simon hosted with his wife at the time, Peggy Harper. Simon's friend, the composer Stanley Silverman, brought along another composer named Pierre Boulez, and when he made his exit, Boulez called Simon "Al" and his wife "Betty." He was french and mistakenly thought that's what their names were in English.
❤ this video!! Paul is amazing
I love this video and chevy just nails it. I think chevy is 🔥
Great song... in regards to Chevy, they say he heard the song for the first time in the limo on his way to the video shoot and improved the whole video.
You have to do his best straight fire song in my opinion, Kodachrome by Paul Simon.
Interestingly, Chevy Chase was the drummer for a very early iteration of Steely Dan!
thanks, guys.. Paul Simon was awesome as were Ladysmith Black Mombasa - Chevy was "comedy relief" in this... (about as funny as he has ever been IMHO)... Like to see more from you guys...
Great reaction. Not my fav lyrics but the music makes you want to dance.
Great album!
Graceland is my desert island album if I could only take one. I know every word of this song lol