Kevin Bronson on October 12th, 2009

0

At 37, Harper Simon is having his coming-out party this week. The eldest son of Paul Simon releases his self-titled debut on Tuesday and kicks off a national tour on Wednesday, his pristine tenor out in front of fastidiously arranged songs of pop-Americana, some twangy and alll melodically sticky. The album took shape over several years, starting with recording sessions manned by Nashville heavyweights such as producer Bob Johnston, Charlie McCoy, Lloyd Green, Gene Chrisman, Mike Leech and Hargus “Pig” Robbins. Ensuing sessions in New York and Los Angeles involved the likes of Inara Geoge, Aaron Espinoza, Petra Haden, Sean Lennon and even his father. Tom Rothrock contributed the mix. The final product, only occasionally reminiscent of his father’s work, is a gem of an album.

||| Download: “Shooting Star”

||| Live: Harper Simon plays the Echo on Wednesday.

Photo by Autumn de Wilde