Paul Simon Aka Jerry Landis

Work in Progress Volume Two

Like the first volume of this almost certainly unauthorized series — not many series put a release date on Vol. 1 (of 1995) that's later than the one (1994) printed on Vol. 2! — this presents a wealth of material Paul Simon wrote and recorded in the years prior to the formation of Simon & Garfunkel. (In those days, he was often using pseudonyms like Jerry Landis, hence the CD's title.) Of these 34 tracks, 18 were previously unreleased; four of them are sung by Artie Garr, a pseudonym used by Art Garfunkel in his early years. These cuts are a marginal improvement on Vol. 1, if for no other reason than they find the songs getting at least somewhat more clever and sophisticated. Yet still, these are — if you're approaching this with anything other than a primary eye for historical interest — incredibly disappointing in light of what Simon would be producing as half of Simon & Garfunkel just a few years later. It's clichéd late-'50s/early-'60s teen pop both lyrically and melodically, and if he was showing some slight improvement, had he not gone on to do what he did and retired from music before S&G, no one would hear these recordings and wonder why he failed to make more headway in the Brill Building scene. At least his voice is engaging and recognizable, but no one could have made good music, or hits, out of the songs. As for some of the more interesting tracks, at least relatively speaking, "I'm Lonely" sounds like it could have been penned with a Buddy Holly imitator in mind, and it comes as a relief to hear at least some unexpected melodic turns thrown into "Haven't You Hurt Me Enough." But while it seems as if he's learning some tricks of the trade from his Brill Building betters, it seems hopeless that he'll ever reach their level — let alone surpass them, as he, quite surprisingly in light of these early efforts, did in not too many years.

The second installment and a fine chance to get an inside view into the period Paul Simon worked as demo singer for various NY publishers & writers, recording an almost endless string of rock & roll, pop and teen songs during the early 60s. Early recordings, demos and outtakes - also featuring Art Garfunkel. 34 tracks - 18 previously unreleased.

Track list;
01 - Jerry Landis - The Lone Teen Ranger.
02 - Jerry Landis - Tick Tock.
03 - Jerry Landis - The Wobble.
04 - Jerry Landis - Back Seat Driver.
05 - Jerry Landis - A Charmed Life.
06 - Jerry Landis - The People In The Story.
07 - Jerry Landis - Rock 'N Roll Skaters Waltz (Version 2).
08 - Jerry Landis - Beach Blanket Baby.
09 - Jerry Landis - Laurels.
10 - Jerry Landis - Two Hearts On A Chain.
11 - Artie Garr - Forgive Me.
12 - Jerry Landis - Hiding In The Chapel.
13 - Jerry Landis - The Greatest Story Ever Told.
14 - Jerry Landis - Only One You.
15 - Jerry Landis - I'm Lonely.
16 - Jerry Landis - Sleepy Sleepy Baby (Version 1).
17 - Jerry Landis - Flame.
18 - Jerry Landis - It Means A Lot To Them (Stereo).
19 - Artie Garr - Beat Love (Stereo Alternate Version).
20 - Jerry Landis - Play Me A Sad Song (Stereo).
21 - Jerry Landis - Haven't You Hurt Me Enough (Version 1).
22 - Jerry Landis - Too Many Memories.
23 - Jerry Landis - Haven't You Hurt Me Enough (Version 2).
24 - Jerry Landis - Lighthouse Point (Version 2).
25 - Jerry Landis - Every Girl.
26 - Jerry Landis - Sleepy Sleepy Baby (Version 2).
27 - Jerry Landis - Funny Little Girl.
28 - Jerry Landis - The Beginning Of The End.
29 - Jerry Landis - The Wedding Waltz.
30 - Jerry Landis - Every Night (When I Turn Out The Light) (Version 1).
31 - Jerry Landis - Lighthouse Point (Version 1).
32 - Artie Garr - Beat Love (Artificial Stereo).
33 - Artie Garr - Dream Alone.
34 - Jerry Landis - One Lonely Boy (Version 2).