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Paul Simon: So Beautiful or So What

We caught Paul Simon and his 8 piece band at The Fox Theatre in Oakland last night: super good show lasting well over 2 straight hours with a solid mix of old and new. The band is stunningly versatile and tight, and Simon is in great voice. The new album is much better than a lot of his recent offerings and I encourage anyone who has a chance, to catch this tour. This is not a trip down memory lane by a 70 year old has-been, but a really vital and contemporary contribution to the music scene. He paid tribute to Phoebe Snow, who died yesterday, by including a fine rendition of "Gone at Last" which had the crowd on it's feet.
jsaah

Showing 2 responses by richard_stacy

richard_stacy
686 posts
 
I guess i'll be the first in this thread to say I don't get this album at all. It sounds like a step back and actually quite boring. There is not a single song on here that I can say grabs me or touches me in any way and frankly, I'm pretty disappointed. I'm a huge fan and loved Surprise but this record sounds like fluff. I don't hate it but I also do not expect to feel indifferent about a Paul Simon album which I do. I do think it's cool that you can buy it in high rez and it sounds great, thats nice I suppose but cmon Paul, your better than this!
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
Marty....

Thanks for the kind words my friend, as well as your gentle approach! Certainly no need but appreciated none the less.

Funny you offer these comments as I was just listening to the album again... on as I type. I really want to like this because this is an artist thats touched me so many times through my mounting days. There are moments that I do really enjoy such as the title track and the softer Love and Hard Times however as a whole, it honestly bores me. Yes, there is weight to the subject matter but those issues are covered by artist after artist and can either touch or in this case, come off as preachy or corny...to me of course.

We all hear these records with different ears and different souls and none of us emote in equal direction. I play stuff I love for my wife and she looks at me like I've lost my mind! She's my kindred spirit so you'd think we would connect on music too but often thats the farthest from true.
I just read a post in the 2011 new music thread referring to an album I recommended and the guy found it best as a coaster! Still...I have more often found great stuff from opinions of my fellow Agon friends than I have misses so the sharing that goes on here somehow works. I even have developed a friendship with a guy from this forum because he has damn near the same collection of music that I have. Anyway....just wanted to share my opinion of the record here because that is what seems to make all this go...

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