Four Rail Fence Blocks

 

Pierre Boulez was one of the most influential musicians of his time. He died five years ago, but his impression on music - serious or not - will be felt for generations. His most famous work is his second piano concerto; a piece I’m smart enough to avoid. When played correctly, much of it sounds like two cats at battle on a keyboard. Boulez was at a party once, years ago, where he mistakenly called Paul and Peggy Simon “Al and Betty.” Did he hear their names wrong? Was he teasing them?  Paul Simon turned the anecdote into “You Can Call Me Al,” the lead single in his 1986 Graceland album, and one of his biggest hits. In all honesty, this is the only part of these lyrics that make sense to me. I can’t tell you what “roly-poly little bat-faced girl” means. But I noticed at the end of Disney’s Aladdin (1992) when Jasmine says, “I choose you, Aladdin,” he replies, “Call me Al.”