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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
adam18
670 posts
 
It's wonderful ! I only wish it was longer than 38 minutes. Come on Paul, can't you give us some more music for our hard earned cash ?
metralla
945 posts
 
Yes, the length (perhaps I should say shortness) totally surprised me. Great album, though.

Regards,
dreadhead
353 posts
 
As I started playing it for the first time I immediately got on the computer and purchased a ticket for the Bogotá in Atlantic City. This album is great. My favorite is album of his is Hearts and Bones and the Sound-Smith guy Peter Ledermann told me when we were listening to it using his Strain Gauge that Paul knows its his best work too.
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!
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Richard,

You have well established over time via your contributions here that you are a discerning consumer of singer/songwriter output. I have purchased more than 1 cd (usually with happy results) on the basis of your recommendation. Further, you are certainly entitled to like or dislike anything you hear and these comments are not intended to diminish the value of your take on the overall appeal of this CD,...but......

This ain't fluff.

It's a relentless attack on religion and it pointedly rejects any comfort found there during these difficult times.

Christmas is a financial burden, family reunion prevented by war.
In heaven, you "fill out a form first and wait in a line".
God and His only Son leave Earth because they've got more important work elsewhere.
Only Fools Believe in Angels.

Even the healing power of love gets it from Simon on this CD - "A demon of the mind" that devolves into a justification for terror.

This is one dark puppy from Paul.

I also think (like almost all of Paul Simon's work) that it's quite inventive ryhtmically.

None of the above compels you to like it, and I'm not saying that you should. OTOH, I think it's hard to dismiss this as "fluff" and I'd argue that it, at least, deserves some respect for the seriousness of its intentions.

Marty
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