In the modern world we are, more often than not, instantly gratified and prone to fashion. In these days of miracle and wonder it is always refreshing to hear from an artist who has lasted long enough to hand down a body of work that contributes to our collective sense of American history—the bulk of whose work could not easily be accused of being instantly gratifying, nor always fashionable. Paul Simon’s songwriting continues to stick in our collective consciousness because it really is that good. He is a meticulous craftsman. The kind whose guild many would be envious to join.