Single Review – Paul Simon – Cool Papa Bell

‘Cool Papa Bell’ is the second instalment from Paul Simon’s thirteenth studio album Stranger to Stranger which is out on June 3rd. The song pays tribute to the legendary baseball player of the same name, but in the track he asks questions the use of the word ‘motherfucker’ and asks questions of society as a whole. He delivers those lyrics with slick wit and style around the light, feathered acoustic rhythms around him. Though not as punchy as ‘Wristband’, it shows Simon mixing up song structures and melodies in a more familiar environment.

Owen Riddle