Breaking: Harper Simon

Who: The 37-year-old son of Paul Simon, who's casting out under his own name for the first time with his fall debut (read the RS review). Simon says the process of becoming a solo artist was a "journey of discovery" and though he was hesitant to step into the spotlight, "I realized, 'If I don't do this I'm going to regret it.'"

Sounds Like: Simon's self-titled debut is a gorgeous collection of vintage-sounding country-folk tunes like the shuffling "Tennessee" and the dreamy psychedelic ballad "The Audit." Have a listen to his Elliott Smith-esque "Shooting Star."

Vital Stats:

• Simon was raised in New York by his dad after Paul and mom Peggy Harper split in 1975. He started to play guitar at 12 and later quit the Berklee College of Music and relocated to London, where he performed in a rock band called Menlo Park.

• Simon began work on his debut three years ago in Nashville, when he booked himself studio time with legendary producer Bob Johnston, who worked on classic '60s and '70s LPs by Bob Dyan and Johnny Cash.

• Pals like Sean Lennon, Adam Green and Petra Haden — and of course, his famous dad — popped into later sessions in New York and Los Angeles to lend their talents and support. Paul plays acoustic guitar and co-wrote three tunes.

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Song Stories

“Satisfied”

Tom Waits | 2011

Only the genius of Tom Waits could combine the subject of mortality, a reoccurring theme in his work, with wordplay that name checks both Mick and Keith, whom he calls "Mr. Jagger" and "Mr. Richards," and the title of their magnum opus, "Satisfaction." And to show just how cool Waits really is, he even got Mr. Richards to play along, one of nine guest appearances the guitarist has made on three Waits albums. "This growling roadhouse stomp is a late-breaking response to the Stones' greatest hit," Rolling Stone said of the track.

More Song Stories entries »

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