Paul Simon fans have to wait another month to revel in his new album, but, in the meantime, the 74-year-old singer-songwriter has released “Cool Papa Bell,” the followup to the previously released lead single, “Wristband.”
The song — a lively, tropical ode to 20th century American baseball player James Thomas “Cool Papa” Bell — sees Simon contemplate topics such as mortality and creativity with lyrics about a tattoo reading “wall-to-wall fun,” among other quirky lines. Simon recorded the album with longtime collaborator Roy Halee and the tracks feature influences ranging from composer Harry Partch to Flamenco rhythms.
Simon kicks off his tour tomorrow at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival followed by a performance at the Beale Street Music Festival on Sunday. Stranger to Stranger — Simon’s first album since 2011’s So Beautiful So What — is out June 3. Listen below (via Pitchfork).
Stranger to Stranger Tracklist:
01. The Werewolf
02. Wristband
03. The Clock
04. Street Angel
05. Stranger to Stranger
06. In a Parade
07. Proof of Love
08. In the Garden of Edie
09. The Riverbank
10. Cool Papa Bell
11. Insomniac’s Lullaby