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New York Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Paul Simon at the Beacon Theater: Quiet, Intricate, Masterly
Paul Simon, 83, has simply changed his mind about a farewell to touring that he announced in 2018, with a valedictory arena tour that ended with a park concert in Queens. He had more to say and sing. He's back on the road with a relatively intimate, scaled-down postscript: his A Quiet Celebration tour. It's booked into theaters selected for their acoustics, and it's made possible by an advanced monitoring system that helps him cope with his recent severe hearing loss. Simon played to a reverently attentive audience on Monday night at his hometown sanctuary, the Beacon Theater. When the refurbished, regilded venue reopened in 2009, Simon was its first performer. And on Monday, he stepped onstage smiling broadly and announced, 'I love playing in this room.' Simon has been making poetic, tuneful pop hits — songs that found mass audiences with lapidary craftsmanship and terse, enigmatic insights — since the 1960s. He had less commercial success with larger formats: his 1980 movie about a songwriter, 'One-Trick Pony,' and his 1998 musical, 'The Capeman.' But he has still been thinking bigger than individual songs. In 2023, Simon released 'Seven Psalms,' a continuous 33-minute suite of songs about the brevity, fragility and preciousness of life — 'Two billion heartbeats and out / Or does it all begin again?' — and the unknowability of God. 'The Lord is a meal for the poorest of the poor,' he sang, but also, 'The Lord is the ocean rising / The Lord is a terrible swift sword.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
The sound of silence: Paul Simon soaks in the ‘Quiet' on comeback tour at sold-out NYC show
Only Paul Simon could command the sound of silence like this. In the opening act of the first of five sold-out shows of his comeback tour at NYC's Beacon Theatre, the music legend played the entirety of 'Seven Psalms,' his 2023 album that was conceived to be listened to in its entirety as a seven-part piece. After a Simon took the stage to a standing O, embracing it with arms wide open, you could hear a pin drop — as the crowd dutifully obeyed the no-phone directive for taking pics and videos without having their device locked away in a Yondr pouch. Advertisement 4 Paul Simon played the first of five sold-out shows at the Beacon Theatre on his 'A Quiet Celebration Tour.' Jake Edwards It was part the haunting hush of the less familiar material. And it was part reverence that the 83-year-old Queens native was back playing anything at all on any stage after he had performed what was supposed to be his final concert at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in 2018. That was the end of a farewell tour that really seemed like a real goodbye — especially after the double whammy of the pandemic and then Simon revealing that he had suffered near-total hearing loss in his left ear in 2023. Advertisement But — after working with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss and revamping his entire stage setup to make performing viable again — Simon is back with his 'A Quiet Celebration Tour,' which lived up to its billing. Although he sounded frail and fragile at times in the nakedness of the quiet — no doubt so he could hear better—he was still very much the Paul Simon that everyone was waiting for in the second act, which was all about his solo hits as well as some with Art Garfunkel. 4 Paul Simon performed two acts — the first was the entirety of his 'Seven Psalms' album and the second was hits-driven. Jake Edwards It kicked off with 'Graceland,' the title track from his South African that won the Album of the Year Grammy in 1987. The jaunty shimmy immediately energized the crowd, which all of a sudden became much more vocal. Advertisement Meanwhile, 'Slip Sliding Away' took on new meaning in the delicate deliverer of a man who not so long seemed like he was doing just that — not only professionally but perhaps personally too. Any pathos faded away when Simon's longtime wife Edie Brickell joined him for the bit of whistling whimsy on 'Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,' ripping a wave of hand-clapping and singalong joy throughout the theater. 4 Paul Simon was joined by wife Edie Brickell during the first of his five sold-out Beacon Theatre shows. Jake Edwards 4 Paul Simon returned to touring in April after what was supposed to be his final concert in 2018. Jake Edwards Advertisement Likewise, the communal crooning to the easy-grooving '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover' was both soulful and spiritual. And by the time he did Simon & Garfunkel's 'The Boxer, it was clear that he was no longer alone, shining a spotlight in the audience during the chorus to amp up the engagement. But for the final song, 'The Sound of Silence,' it was all him. No band, no audience, just Simon bathed in white light, singing and strumming in the still of the quiet that the S&G classic has always celebrated.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'A beacon in the darkness': Paul Simon returns to Canada after seven years, defying hearing loss with grace and music
In a return to live performance in Canada after 7 years, Paul Simon graced Toronto's Massey Hall on May 27. The 83-year-old singer-songwriter, renowned for his evocative storytelling and musical innovation, is embarking on his "A Quiet Celebration" tour, a series of intimate performances across North America. Dressed casually in jeans, a ball cap, and a purple jacket, Simon opened his second set with the 1968 classic "America." Before starting his song, he reflected on its themes of division and the search for identity, drawing parallels to contemporary times. "I wrote that song many years ago," he shared, noting its relevance today. He then offered a poignant observation: "I'm happy to report that I've found it. It's here in Canada. You really are a beacon in the darkness at this point." The evening commenced with a full performance of his 2023 album, "Seven Psalms," a contemplative piece exploring spirituality and human connection. Accompanied by a chamber ensemble featuring harmonium, flute, strings, and intricate percussion, Simon delivered the seven-movement composition with a blend of spoken word and song. His wife, singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, joined him for "The Sacred Harp," adding depth to the introspective set. The second half of the concert celebrated Simon's extensive catalog, offering reimagined versions of beloved tracks. Highlights included "Graceland," "Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War," and "The Late Great Johnny Ace," the latter accompanied by visuals of John Lennon, John F. Kennedy, and Johnny Ace. Brickell returned for a whistling solo on "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," adding a playful touch to the evening. Live Events The encore featured fan favorites "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and "The Boxer ," culminating in a solo performance of " The Sound of Silence ." The audience was visibly moved as Simon softly sang, "Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again," bringing the night to a poignant close. Simon, who had previously retired from touring in 2018 due to hearing loss, collaborated with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss to adapt his performances for optimal acoustics. The "A Quiet Celebration" tour continues with additional dates in Toronto on May 29 and 30, followed by performances in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, and other cities. Who is Paul Simon? Paul Simon is an iconic American singer-songwriter known for his poetic lyrics, innovative music, and enduring hits both as a solo artist and as half of the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel. With classics like 'The Sound of Silence,' 'Graceland,' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' he has shaped popular music for over six decades.
Economic Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
'A beacon in the darkness': Paul Simon returns to Canada after seven years, defying hearing loss with grace and music
Paul Simon, at 83, returned to the Canadian stage after seven years, performing at Toronto's Massey Hall as part of his "A Quiet Celebration" tour. He delivered his 2023 album "Seven Psalms" and reimagined classics, with Edie Brickell joining him. Simon, who addressed hearing loss challenges, concluded the night with a moving rendition of "The Sound of Silence." Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who is Paul Simon? In a return to live performance in Canada after 7 years, Paul Simon graced Toronto's Massey Hall on May 27. The 83-year-old singer-songwriter, renowned for his evocative storytelling and musical innovation, is embarking on his "A Quiet Celebration" tour, a series of intimate performances across North casually in jeans, a ball cap, and a purple jacket, Simon opened his second set with the 1968 classic "America." Before starting his song, he reflected on its themes of division and the search for identity, drawing parallels to contemporary times. "I wrote that song many years ago," he shared, noting its relevance today. He then offered a poignant observation: "I'm happy to report that I've found it. It's here in Canada. You really are a beacon in the darkness at this point."The evening commenced with a full performance of his 2023 album, "Seven Psalms," a contemplative piece exploring spirituality and human by a chamber ensemble featuring harmonium, flute, strings, and intricate percussion, Simon delivered the seven-movement composition with a blend of spoken word and song. His wife, singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, joined him for "The Sacred Harp," adding depth to the introspective second half of the concert celebrated Simon's extensive catalog, offering reimagined versions of beloved tracks. Highlights included "Graceland," "Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War," and "The Late Great Johnny Ace," the latter accompanied by visuals of John Lennon, John F. Kennedy, and Johnny Ace. Brickell returned for a whistling solo on "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," adding a playful touch to the encore featured fan favorites "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and "The Boxer ," culminating in a solo performance of " The Sound of Silence ." The audience was visibly moved as Simon softly sang, "Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again," bringing the night to a poignant who had previously retired from touring in 2018 due to hearing loss, collaborated with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss to adapt his performances for optimal "A Quiet Celebration" tour continues with additional dates in Toronto on May 29 and 30, followed by performances in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, and other Simon is an iconic American singer-songwriter known for his poetic lyrics, innovative music, and enduring hits both as a solo artist and as half of the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel. With classics like 'The Sound of Silence,' 'Graceland,' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' he has shaped popular music for over six decades.
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: Piping plovers return to Waukegan beach to start family
Good afternoon, Chicago. A suspect in the fatal shootings of two members of the Israeli Embassy near the Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., has been identified as a Chicago man who apparently has railed on social media against the ongoing bombing of Gaza by Israel. Elias Rodriguez, 31, of the 4700 block of North Troy Street, was being held for questioning, authorities said today. He was being interviewed by D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department as well as the FBI, according to officials. Police today blocked the street outside his apartment building in the Albany Park neighborhood on the city's Northwest Side. By 8:15 a.m., a stream of heavily armed men, the letters FBI inscribed on their backs, were seen leaving the brick, U-shaped apartment building, where one apartment window had a sign in the window reading 'Justice for Wadea,' a reference to the killing of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume by his family's landlord in the suburbs in 2023. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History Pepper and Blaze — the captive-reared, federally endangered piping plover chicks released on a Lake County beach in 2023 — are back in Waukegan for the second year as breeding adults and the pair is already incubating a full clutch of four eggs. Read more here. More top news stories: The choppy trading this week and sharp decline for stocks yesterday follows several weeks of mostly gains that have brought the S&P 500 back within 5% of its all-time high. Read more here. More top business stories: Former Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant on Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper's staff, has been named the 42nd head coach in Hawks history. Read more here. More top sports stories: Opening the two-set concert with a full performance of 'Seven Psalms,' his 2023 album comprised of a continuous suite of seven songs, Paul Simon presented a fearless meditation on mystery, mortality and the great beyond. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston granted a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump administration from carrying out plans announced in March that sought to work toward Trump's goal to shut down the department. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
