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Jon
Apr-19-2012, 19:45 GMT
Unknown

I hope some video surfaces of this. From what I´ve read, he played twelve songs with a large jazz orchestra, including:

Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
Take Me To The Mardi Gras
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Crazy Love, Volume II
Kodachrome
Gone at Last
Sounds Of Silence
Late In The Evening
You Can Call Me Al

brenda
Apr-20-2012, 00:31 GMT
Australia

Hopefully some will. A review of the show

http://speakeasy.jazzcorner.com/speakeasy/showthre
ad.php?p=940294#post940294

brenda
Apr-21-2012, 13:01 GMT
Australia

http://jazztimes.com/articles/29960-concert-review
-paul-simon-wynton-marsalis-at-jalc

Paul A. Fournier
Apr-22-2012, 12:48 GMT
Unknown

I attended Thursday evening`s Paul Simon Jazz at Lincoln Center performance with my wonderful friend and fellow forum member Roy. The performance took place on the 5th floor of the Time Warner Building near Columbus Circle in New York City. Looking out the window from this location down on the beautiful view of Central Park, Roy and I both immediately recalled the opening montage of S+G`s Concert in Central Park video.

We learned from chatting with some staff members that the show was being recorded by Jazz at Lincoln Center although no decision had yet been made as to whether an official release would result. Apparently, last year`s Eric Clapton show with the Jazz at Lincoln Center did eventually get released.

The show was fantastic! Paul and his band blended so well with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. We learned that they only had three days to rehearse together. However, it seemed as though the rehearsals were much more extensive than that because they played as an entirely integral `group.� The songs were respectively arranged by particular members of the Orchestra. I don`t have my program here in front of me, which listed who arranged each song, but needless to say this resulted in a nice variety that added a freshness to each of Paul`s songs. Even songs like Late In The Evening and Diamonds, that are performed live quite often by Paul and his band, sounded quite different as a result of their new arrangements by the Orchestra members.

Paul even mentioned how he enjoyed the new interpretations of his songs. Sometimes when a songwriter like Paul does a show with an orchestra, the usual band still does the majority of the performance with the orchestra adding some embellishments here and there. This was not the case with this performance. It seemed to me that the Orchestra added an equal amount to the performances as Paul`s band did ` and both played off of each other beautifully and together while maintaining their respective individual styles. To emphasize how he believed this `experiment� using two very different types of musicians can work in a natural way, Paul mentioned that the resulting collaberation of the two simply sounded `like music!�

Wynton Marsalis gave a nice speech in the middle of the performance on how everything came together so well in a short time. He also applauded Paul for doing the show for no profit while still paying his usual band members to take part in the performance. In typical Paul comedic style, he responded to Wynton saying something like `...this is the first I`ve heard of that I am playing for no money!� This was just a reflection of the wonderful and fun mood that Paul was in that evening. He seemed to be so happy and comfortable performing in this format with all of these musicians.

Before the show, Eddie Simon walked over near the box where our seats were located. I decided to take this opportunity to say hello. I told him that I had sung on stage with his brother in DC. He responded with something like `I know you! That YouTube video was a web sensation!!� I told him the story of how I met Paul in Senator Dodd`s office a couple of days later and how we had ended up chatting there about music and songwriting, etc., for almost 30 minutes. I was pleased to have a chance to introduce myself to Eddie. During the show, I could see Paul look over in his brother`s direction with a joking expression during 50 Ways. Eddie was still standing in the audience near our box enjoying the show.

Here`s the setlist for 4/19/12.

Diamonds on the Soles
50 Ways
Slip Slidin` Away
Further To Fly
Crazy Love ` very nice double clapping by various orchestra members during the song similar to what Tony did during the SBOSW tour
Mardi Grads ` sung by Paul and Aaron Neville together
Rockin` Pneumonia ` sung solo by Aaron, Paul was grooving to the song in the background.
Bridge ` sung solo by Aaron with Paul sitting behind him soaking in everything. Before starting the song, Aaron thanked Paul for writing it - resulting in a big smile from Paul.
That Was Your Mother
Sounds Of Silence ` Wynton came up to the front of the stage with Paul and played beautiful trumpet riffs throughout the song. Mark was on cello.
Kodachrome
Gone at Last
Late in the Evening
The Boxer
You Can Call Me Al ` not written on the setlist (which we saw taped to a camera next to our box), but got the entire crowd on its feet and dancing.


The ushers were very strict about cameras. They would literally approach anyone that they saw using a camera and ask them to stop. As a result, clear and steady video taking was quite difficult. This explains the unfocused or uncentered portions in these, but I know how my fellow forum members would still like to see these nevertheless.

Mardi Gras/Bridge
http://youtu.be/K0rzFewEA5U

The Boxer/You Can Call Me Al
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do4rZGlLvl0&fea
ture=youtu.be

After the show, Roy and I had a chance to speak with each of Tony Cedras, Mick Rossi, and Mark Stewart individually. They mentioned that the upcoming Graceland shows will likely include performances of the complete Graceland album by `the African players� with a separate set by Paul`s SBOSW touring band. No one knew yet for sure if any U.S. dates would be added. We actually met Mark in the subway terminal as we were waiting for a train back to Times Square. I waved at Mark and he recognized me immediately as the guy who sang with them on stage in DC. We chatted for a few minutes there in the subway terminal. I complimented him on his recent TED presentation on homemade musical instruments. Roy and I were so impressed at Mark`s outgoing nature and positive energy.

I had a nice photo of myself onstage with Paul and the band at Constitution Hall framed. I believe that I posted this photo on this forum and website about a year ago or so. I put a plaque under the photo with our names, the name of the venue, date, etc. I brought the frame with me to the show hoping to give it to Paul. I was pleased to have a chance to give it to him after the show that night. While he was leaving in a rush with a body guard he still stopped and took the frame and kindly thanked me, as I did him! Roy and I were pleased to see Paul looking intently at the frame as he sat in the passenger seat of his car as it departed from the venue.

It was really a wonderful night. Let`s hope that a video of this excellent performance does get released by Jazz at Lincoln Center so that we can continue to enjoy it for years to come.

Scaaty  
Apr-22-2012, 13:07 GMT
Unknown

Amazing story Paul.! You are surely Blessed among Paul Simon fans.

Paul A. Fournier  
Apr-22-2012, 13:14 GMT
Unknown

Thanks Scaaty! I wholeheartedly agree with you on that comment. I am happy that I have a chance to share the details with other fans on this site. All the best.

Barb
Apr-22-2012, 15:13 GMT
USA - United Staates America

Paul- so glad that Paul S has been gracious- I am waiting for Paul´s invite for you to dine with them that you deserve!

Paul A. Fournier
Apr-22-2012, 15:35 GMT
Unknown

A dinner? Wow, that would be very fun. However, I don´t think that I did anything to deserve that. :)

Mimi
Apr-22-2012, 15:56 GMT
Austria

Thanks for your detailed report and for the videos. Sounds like a really wonderful performance. Hopefully a recording will surface.

I like the way "real" musicians appreciate each other and manage to create amazing sounds. You can almost feel the respect that these people have for each other.

Lara
Apr-22-2012, 22:10 GMT
Italy

Thank you for your reportage Paul! It really gave me the feeling of a great night with a wonderful atmosphere of exchanging between big musicians. I´ve loved your story.

brenda
Apr-23-2012, 00:53 GMT
Australia

Paul,you are simply the best! Thank you so much for sharing your great videos and recollections of a memorable night. I am sure Paul S would have been very pleased with the photo. Especially I enjoyed reading about your meeting with Mark in the subway. He is such a great musician and friendly person.

Ans  
Apr-23-2012, 08:52 GMT
Netherlands

Thanks for sharing your wonderful story with us. And thanks for the videos, Paul´s witty comment about the no-money was fantastic, what a sense of humor. I hope they will make a special and release it on DVD someday.

Mireille  
Apr-23-2012, 18:29 GMT
France

Thank you Paul for sharing this amazing nitght with us ! What a pleasure to read your report and enjoy the videos !

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