By pedigree alone, Harper Simon undoubtedly had opportunities to record an album before he released his self-titled debut this year. Just a cursory listen to "Harper Simon" indicates he has more than enough talent. Maybe even exceptional talent.
But Simon, who appears Wednesday at the Andy Warhol Museum, North Side, is adamant it was prudent to wait.
"I just wasn't ready to carry an entire record and carry an entire project," says Simon, 37, whose father is Paul Simon. "I was OK in a supporting role, but not in a starring role. It took a big leap forward; I had to kick my skill level up several notches in a whole bunch of areas to be able to write and produce and play and sing and carry an entire project."
Of course, even the best musicians can only get by with a little help from friends and colleagues. For the album, Simon enlisted a surprisingly diverse cast, starting with some of Nashville's most venerated sessions musicians -- harmonica legend Charlie McCoy, who has performed with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley; Hargus "Pig" Robbins, the pianist whose credits include recordings with Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty and George Jones; and producer Bob Johnston, who worked on "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison," Dylan's "Nashville Skyline" and Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence."
Then he brought in his contemporaries, including vocalists Petra Haden and Inara George (from The Bird and the Bee) and multi-instrumentalist Sean Lennon, and some folks in between generations such as keyboardist Steve Nieve (Elvis Costello) and guitarist Marc Ribot.
"The concept of the record to begin with was that I would sort of mix it up with a lot of these legendary sessions players from the '60s and talents and friends from my generation and see what happens," Simon says. "I very much enjoyed casting the album in that way."
What emerged were songs that range from pop to, surprisingly for the artist, country and western. Simon admits that he had no idea there would be so many tunes -- five in all, including "All I Have Are Memories" and "Cactus Flower Rag" -- with a sound that is more reminiscent of Nashville than his home in Los Angeles.
"I always wanted that to be an element of my sound," he says, "but I didn't know I was going to incorporate so much of it when I was first making a record.
"But I love it. I love country music."
Apparently, Paul Simon also enjoys that genre. When Harper Simon was refining "Tennessee" -- a jaunty rave-up that's a nod to his mother, Peggy Harper, and her roots -- he sought out his dad when he couldn't quite figure out how to finish the tune.
Nothing like being able to tap one of pop music's premier songwriters for advice.
"My dad got keen on trying to write on some things," Harper Simon says, noting their collaborations on "Tennessee," "Ha Ha" and "The Shine." "It was a substantial contribution. I didn't expect for him to make it coming in, but I was happy he did. It was fun for both of us."
Additional Information:Harper Simon
With: Emily Rodgers
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Admission: $12
Where: Andy Warhol Museum, North Side
Details: 412-237-8300 or here
