Steve Martin - Martin Bounced Musical Ideas Off Old Pal Simon

Funnyman STEVE MARTIN turned to his old pal PAUL SIMON to critique his new bluegrass album - because he knew the rocker would give him an honest opinion.

The Pink Panther star released The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo last month (May09) - and Simon reveals they traded thoughts to help Martin to perfect his sound.

He says, "Steve's music is great. I didn't realise he was going to make this full album."

But the singer admits their creative exchange was not without the odd insult.

Simon adds, "He gave me four songs to listen to and I sent him my book of lyrics and he emailed me and said, 'I gotta be honest, it's not that great.'"

But Martin insists it was Simon who sparked the playful war of words: "It started with (Simon)'s email, which said, 'Steve, gotta be honest, didn't really like those songs. Sorry!'"

The old friends teamed up for a mini jam session during an appearance on U.S. TV's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday (02Jun09), when they were both guests, with Martin playing the banjo and Simon strumming his guitar.