Nineteen of Paul Simon's biggest hits from 1972 to 2000 will be released on The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Going on November 5th. The compilation features older Simon tunes like "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and "Loves Me Like a Rock" as well two songs from his most recent album, You're the One, "Love" and "Hurricane Eye."

The collection also comes with liner notes penned by Rolling Stone contributing editor David Wild and a bonus disc featuring five previously unreleased live tracks: "American Tune," which was recorded in New York in 1973; "Duncan," recorded in London in 1973; "The Coast," recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, this year; "Mrs. Robinson," recorded in New York in 1999 and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" performed with Aaron Neville in New Orleans in 2001.

Along with actors Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones and Chita Rivera, and conductor James Levine, Simon is one of this year's Kennedy Center Honorees. The award celebrates those who have made "unique and extremely valuable contributions to the cultural life of our nation." Secretary of State Colin Powell will host the twenty-fifth-annual ceremony on December 7th at a State Department dinner in Washington, D.C., and the next night, the honorees will be celebrated at a gala performance in the Kennedy Center's Opera House, to be attended by President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. CBS will broadcast the event at a later date.

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(October 31, 2002)