Miracle and Wonder
Conversations with Paul Simon
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Miracle and Wonder
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Narrated by:
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Malcolm Gladwell
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Bruce Headlam
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Paul Simon
About this listen
*For a more up-to-date version check out Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon (Special Edition)
What happens when Paul Simon, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in music history, and Malcolm Gladwell, the best-selling author, sit down together, with a tape recorder and a guitar?
Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon is part memoir, part investigation, and unlike any creative portrait you’ve ever heard before. Recorded over a series of 30 hours of conversation between Simon, Gladwell, and Gladwell’s oldest friend and co-writer, journalist and Broken Record podcast co-host Bruce Headlam, the conversation flows from Simon’s music, to his childhood in Queens, NY, to 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.
Woven throughout the audiobook is distinctive commentary about Simon’s songwriting alongside archival audio footage and never-before-heard live studio versions and original recordings of beloved hits including “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 Simon’s legendary career, what it means to be alive as an artist, and how to create work that endures.
©2021 Pushkin Industries and Paul Simon (P)2021 Pushkin Industries and Paul SimonWhat listeners say about Miracle and Wonder
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nomadicmeltalks
- 18-04-2022
Realises the potential of the audiobook
Most audiobooks are just a reading of a regular book. A utilitarian solution for the time poor, often faintly irritating as the reader's interpretation diverges from the listener's. This audiobook is something else, realising the potential of audio to evoke emotions and tell story. It's the perfect topic executed by a master storyteller.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Katherine Avery
- 09-04-2022
A must for Paul Simon fans
Really enjoyed this recording. I have loved his works as an artist because he kept exploring new sounds. Each album has a different flavour, and he goes into how these different sounds evolved.
His memory appears to be remarkable when it comes for identifying where or what was going on for him when he was creating the songs
I love his honesty, it appears to be a warts and all account.
I will definitely listen to this again. He is an amazing man.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marita
- 26-06-2024
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Can't rave enough about this book. It's an absolute stunner. It clearly has to be an audio book - part of its strength is being able to hear the voice of Paul Simon, and to really hear him as he describes the process of composition. You know you're in the presence of a real artist. it's simply brilliant. I'm rushing out now to buy the albums I don't have already. The authors have done a marvellous job of engaging with him, and keeping him engaged. Their questions are astute and they are clearly in tune with the artist.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anne
- 25-09-2024
Loving every moment
Paul Simon comes alive when he's speaking in depth about music. This audiobook also demonstrates to me the joy of being taken on a music journey, not just with the songwriter, but with the music journalist. Gladwell and Headlam bring so many insightful and delightful insights into Paul's songs and the music making process. I found myself pausing the audio just to think about them. They're also able to create an excellent conversation with Paul and the enthusiasm is infectious. The chapter on the making of Graceland made my jaw drop. It feels like a lot more than 5 hours. Bravo!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kristy Archibald
- 23-11-2021
Loved It!
Loved this - I was disappointed when it ended. Could easily have listened to another 5 hours, highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in music. ❤️
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Lovelock
- 24-12-2021
Thoroughly Enjoyed Listening to this
The book drew attention to details in Paul’s songs, I sort of knew where there, but hadn’t really appreciated their depth and poetry
I really enjoyed this book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Martin Castilla
- 05-03-2022
Pure GOLD!
This is a book to cherish audibly (no pun intended) for its richness of word coupled with music, unlike any other I've listened to.
Paul Simon is a musical and lyrical genius, and as interviewed by Gladwell and Headlam, they talk about his processes when writing words and music. Then the song/s in question are played by Simon on his acoustic guitar, live, on the spot, and it's aural Heaven.
There are dozens of sampled musical treats right through the book, so as you hear Simon's or the authors' descriptions of something the music is heard in the background or the conversation pauses while we hear the song.
It's done exceptionally well, and as such becomes the Best in Class. I've not quite finished listening to it, yet felt compelled to write a review here so others won't walk on, and instead purchase this with confidence that they're in for a major treat.
I love this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Charles Byrne
- 17-10-2022
Should have been longer.
This is so good I didn’t want it to finish. Excellent investigation of Paul Simon’s creativity.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 28-07-2023
A Celebration of Inspiration
Malcolm Gladwell never fails to bring inspiration and understanding to any of his topics of interest.
Here in 'Miracle and Wonder' Malcolm Gladwell brings Paul Simon, already in our hearts, into our homes. We are gifted an intimate chat with Paul, together they bring new insight and understanding to the songs of our youth.
I enjoyed the ride. Thankyou Malcolm for your vision. Thankyou Paul for your songs, your honesty, openness and your time.
Phil
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- Shirley from Australia
- 03-06-2024
the music stories
I enjoyed this so much, love the way it was presented and the history of this talented humble man.
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