Simon says

Until its release next week, you can stream the new Paul Simon album Stranger to Stranger at NPR's First Listen, and it is well worth a listen.

Simon's been hinting that he might take a long hiatus from songwriting, and I hope that isn't the case... especially in a year of sudden, unexpected, and devastating losses to the music world. But if, God forbid, this would turn out to be his last album, I can't imagine a more perfect finale than the song "Proof of Life," which plays late in this fleeting (37 minutes!) set.

In August, we'll celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Graceland. I can only hope that I'm still growing, learning, and burning with the intensity of creativity that I hear on Stranger to Stranger when I'm Paul Simon's age. This album is ablaze with wisdom, humility, and faith.