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.
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What a beautiful venue....I saw Sheryl Crow a few blocks away at the Paramount about 10 years ago....the most elegant public bathrooms I have ever seen.
We saw Paul Simon years ago on the "Born at the Right Time"
tour in Oakland. It was a great show and we had great seats so the sound was amazing. I like his new album alot.
The Fox Theatre in Oakland is one of the best places ever to attend a concert (along with the Paramount). We saw Natalie Merchant there last year. I'm sorry to have missed
the recent Paul Simon show. If I had known it was coming I wouldn't have missed it. I guess I'll have to spend more time on the internet because the Calendar section in the newspaper just isn't getting the word out.
i'm sorry, i've listened to the new record a few times now, and am unimpressed. IMHO he's not done anything noteworthy (ie more than a few listens) since Capeman, which really was a wonderful record.