Does anyone know what the lineup will be for this tour? By this I mean - is he playing with a full band?

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What's your favourite flavour?...........Cherry Red!!

thought he looked and sounded very old on SNL last week. Very surprised he's undertaking a large scale tour.

He has new material, Seven Psalms, to tour. I guess that is the reason for the tour. True about his voice though but Simon is first and foremost a musician and song writer.
Ticket prices - he has probably nothing to do with it and is too old to bother.

I read somewhere he has a band but will not be doing certain numbers due to hearing issues, he specifically mentioned that they can't do "You Can Call Me AL."

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Mr Jimmy
Does anyone know what the lineup will be for this tour? By this I mean - is he playing with a full band?

yeah, he has a full band. I think Variety or one of the news publications listed the band members, including two different drummers that will rotate on certain dates.

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Send It To me
I read somewhere he has a band but will not be doing certain numbers due to hearing issues, he specifically mentioned that they can't do "You Can Call Me AL."

I would never have assumed Al. In my mind, things that are possible are:

-50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
-America
-Homeward Bound
-Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard
-Sounds Of Silence
-Still Crazy After All These Years
-The Boxer
-Bridge Over Trouble Water
-Slip Sliding Away

I'm not expecting a ton of greatest hits, but I'd think those are all up for option.

Pretty sure one of the drummers is Steve Gadd! Which would almost make it worth going alone.

Gadd is one of the drummers.

Just scored a seat for the last night of SF. Night to have friends with connections. Only $317, but those are the $1000 seats on TM

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More Hot Rocks
Come on Paul what's wrong with you? You just sold your catalogue and made $250 million. Why do this to your fans?

Playing small venues is a pleasure for the artist. This isn’t for the fans but you’re welcome to watch.

I sure am glad I saw his new album spelled out… I thought ‘seven songs’ was a little feeble. Guess he’ll play more than that…

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RollingFreak

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Send It To me
I read somewhere he has a band but will not be doing certain numbers due to hearing issues, he specifically mentioned that they can't do "You Can Call Me AL."

I would never have assumed Al. In my mind, things that are possible are:

-50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
-America
-Homeward Bound
-Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard
-Sounds Of Silence
-Still Crazy After All These Years
-The Boxer
-Bridge Over Trouble Water
-Slip Sliding Away

I'm not expecting a ton of greatest hits, but I'd think those are all up for option.

Pretty sure one of the drummers is Steve Gadd! Which would almost make it worth going alone.

I could see him doing "Graceland" from his world music period. Not sure what else.... That's my favorite era.

I can't be bothered with this, from Central Park to the last reunion with Art in 2003 was great. He looked and sounded hos age on SNL. I will pass and let someone who never saw him play at 1/20th of what he once was. If that.

Unless I get a free ticket!

I've seen him a few times over the years.

1991 on the Rhythm of the Saints tour which was spectacular.
1999 with Bob Dylan (missed most of Paul due to horrible Illinois traffic but saw the two of them do three songs together).
2006
2017

I'd love to see him again, if only to hear "Hearts and Bones" again. One of my favorite Simon songs. Or on the wing and prayer that he plays "St. Judy's Comet" but I don't know of a recent time when he's played that one. Either way, these new prices are just too much, unfortunately.

UPDATE: Looks like he IS playing "St. Judy's Comet" on this tour. Darn it all, the FOMO is setting in a bit.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-04-30 21:27 by floodonthepage.

Saw Paul Simon this week. Huge fan. After the Stones, he's my #2 musical obsession. I have mixed feelings about it. Glad I went. The band was amazing and it was good to see him back. But, at 83, he sounded and seemed very much like an old man, and the arrangements were very, very subdued in light of his hearing issues (no more rocking out the Graceland tunes). Can something be depressing and inspiring at the same time?

I have tickets for this concert at Wolf Trap.

This is the review I found.

[www.austinchronicle.com]

sound of silence - minneapolis april 22, 2025

I guess he was eager to tour his new material. Seems like he put a lot on effort into that. Like a last farewell or something.
Otherwise you can always argue about ageing artists and money's value. I guess it's sold out anyway though.

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Stoneage
I guess he was eager to tour his new material. Seems like he put a lot on effort into that. Like a last farewell or something.
Otherwise you can always argue about ageing artists and money's value. I guess it's sold out anyway though.

I mean, he's over 80. Feels like he can do whatever he wants. He's not playing big places like he did for his "farewell". This is very much a post-script. Something he wanted to do when he thought maybe he wouldn't be able to do anything again. Its not really my scene, but glad to see its bringing him joy, as he doesn't owe anyone anything. And its still a small venue we're you're seeing a legend, and he IS doing hits. Just the more mellow ones. I hesitate to say I'd kinda love to see more of the old rockers doing this than punching a clock and trying to deliver the same show they've done for decades. There's an element that this feels more genuine.

Sure, RollingFreak. But you can argue whether the ticket prices are "genuine". If you charge high end prices it's only fair that you will be put under scrutiny.
And the truth is his voice is more or less gone (and he had a frail voice to begin with), his hearing too. But I'm sure his audience is aware of this though.

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RollingFreak

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Stoneage
I guess he was eager to tour his new material. Seems like he put a lot on effort into that. Like a last farewell or something.
Otherwise you can always argue about ageing artists and money's value. I guess it's sold out anyway though.

I mean, he's over 80. Feels like he can do whatever he wants. He's not playing big places like he did for his "farewell". This is very much a post-script. Something he wanted to do when he thought maybe he wouldn't be able to do anything again. Its not really my scene, but glad to see its bringing him joy, as he doesn't owe anyone anything. And its still a small venue we're you're seeing a legend, and he IS doing hits. Just the more mellow ones. I hesitate to say I'd kinda love to see more of the old rockers doing this than punching a clock and trying to deliver the same show they've done for decades. There's an element that this feels more genuine.

True. Although I have to say the new material did not go over well. It's almost like listening to classical music or something--complicated guitar parts, lots of esoteric, wandering lyrics about God and death, no real hooks or exciting rhythms. You really, really have to make yourself pay attention to get something from it. During the first set of performing the entire new record, my wife whispered "What is this?" But credit to Paul for trying to being an artist instead of a juke box.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-01 17:17 by Send It To me.

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Send It To me

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RollingFreak

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Stoneage
I guess he was eager to tour his new material. Seems like he put a lot on effort into that. Like a last farewell or something.
Otherwise you can always argue about ageing artists and money's value. I guess it's sold out anyway though.

I mean, he's over 80. Feels like he can do whatever he wants. He's not playing big places like he did for his "farewell". This is very much a post-script. Something he wanted to do when he thought maybe he wouldn't be able to do anything again. Its not really my scene, but glad to see its bringing him joy, as he doesn't owe anyone anything. And its still a small venue we're you're seeing a legend, and he IS doing hits. Just the more mellow ones. I hesitate to say I'd kinda love to see more of the old rockers doing this than punching a clock and trying to deliver the same show they've done for decades. There's an element that this feels more genuine.

True. Although I have to say the new material did not go over well. It's almost like listening to classical music or something--complicated guitar parts, lots of esoteric, wandering lyrics about God and death, no real hooks or exciting rhythms. You really, really have to make yourself pay attention to get something from it. During the first set of performing the entire new record, my wife whispered "What is this?" But credit to Paul for trying to being an artist instead of a juke box.

I mean, I can't help but be negative and say I'm not sure what people expected. I don't work for the guy, but tickets sold out at the prices they were listed at. That means they (maybe sadly) weren't too high. He didn't seem like he was trying to grift anyone, he was very upfront. He's playing his new album and some other favorites. If people bought (expensive) tickets expecting something different... well I don't know why you did. I didn't because I couldn't justify that cost to hear the new album I didn't care for. But if others did, I feel its hard to complain that much. He didn't really pull a fast one. And honestly, as much as I can't afford that, it does seem like a fun night being in a small place with a legend. I don't think him charging a lot for a small price means more scrutiny. He's not insisting on anyone going, and he's doing exactly what he said. If he didn't, I'd say the criticism is warranted. I listened to the first part of the Minneapolis show and, while the new album is not my thing, I didn't think it was bad or negatively received based on the recording. And now there's an hour of old Paul Simon and Simon And Garfunkel songs afterwards. I don't know, this all seems perfectly legit to me. I can justify this more than the Stones charging what they do, personally.

2 favorable reviews from Chicago:
[chicago.suntimes.com]
[www.chicagotribune.com]

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bam
2 favorable reviews from Chicago:
[chicago.suntimes.com]
[www.chicagotribune.com]

I went last night to see Paul at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. It was a wonderful concert for a Paul Simon fan. He was in remarkably good voice -- much better than on SNL this year.

It's not a traditional rock concert. Paul did not just play his hits. After playing his most recent album in full, he returned to play a few hits, with rarities from his catalog. All were beautifully played, with 3 guitarists, 1-2 keyboards, drums, 1-2 additional percussion players, 1-3 winds, and 2 strings. He ended with the encore of 50 Ways, The Boxer, and Sounds of Silence.

I've played Seven Psalms a bunch since it came out. If you go, I'd recommend listening to it before going.

If you are a fan, the tour is still coming to you, and you haven't bought tickets, go. He's older, yes, but he's still vibrant. And he's still growing as a musician and an artist.

The solo Sounds of Silence at the end was particularly powerful -- still relevant after all these years.