The Paul Simon Thread—What's your favorite?

[Tombstone Mountain]

Paul Simon is on my to see list. He's on of those guys like Tom Petty who I really want to see but I know it's a very slim chance. But still, here's hoping...

He's still performing. Still a creative spirit. You may have to travel a bit, but it would be worth it

[AFarewellToHemispheres]

Paul Simon is on my to see list. He's on of those guys like Tom Petty who I really want to see but I know it's a very slim chance. But still, here's hoping...

He's still performing. Still a creative spirit. You may have to travel a bit, but it would be worth it

 

The thing is I'm from the UK and not in one of the major cities. When he comes he usually plays London or Manchester or Birmingham and tickets sell fast. It's like Tom Petty, he played the Albert Hall last summer. I would have cu both my legs off to have gone to that and was willing to travel but tickets sold in a flash.

[CygnusGal]

Paul Simon is on my to see list. He's on of those guys like Tom Petty who I really want to see but I know it's a very slim chance. But still, here's hoping...

I have the same desire. I'd love to see both of them. I hope PS does some northeast stateside dates. They're both one of the few left on my "to see" list.

 

Tool

Tom Petty

Paul Simon

 

What a triple bill! That would be a very strange crowd...

[Steevo]

Paul Simon is on my to see list. He's on of those guys like Tom Petty who I really want to see but I know it's a very slim chance. But still, here's hoping...

I have the same desire. I'd love to see both of them. I hope PS does some northeast stateside dates. They're both one of the few left on my "to see" list.

 

Tool

Tom Petty

Paul Simon

 

What a triple bill! That would be a very strange crowd...

 

Tool just played here a couple of weeks back for their Australian leg. I couldn't afford to go but I have seen them three times anyway. Good luck on seeing them.

 

Here's the setlist for down here. Le me know what you think...sorry about the diversion of this thread...back to Paul.

 

Hooker With a Penis

Sober

Schism

Pushit

Intension

Lateralus

Intermission

Jambi

Forty-Six & 2

Ænema

(Preceded by "Happy Birthday" for Danny)

Stinkfist

Edited May 23, 2013 by Steevo

[CygnusGal]

Paul Simon is on my to see list. He's on of those guys like Tom Petty who I really want to see but I know it's a very slim chance. But still, here's hoping...

I have the same desire. I'd love to see both of them. I hope PS does some northeast stateside dates. They're both one of the few left on my "to see" list.

 

Tool

Tom Petty

Paul Simon

 

What a triple bill! That would be a very strange crowd...

 

Tool just played here a couple of weeks back for their Australian leg. I couldn't afford to go but I have seen them three times anyway. Good luck on seeing them.

I missed the Boston show. I made a poor decision.

 

Note to self: when Tool plays, just go see them. It doesn't matter if anyone wants to go with me or not.

[Steevo]

Paul Simon is on my to see list. He's on of those guys like Tom Petty who I really want to see but I know it's a very slim chance. But still, here's hoping...

I have the same desire. I'd love to see both of them. I hope PS does some northeast stateside dates. They're both one of the few left on my "to see" list.

 

Tool

Tom Petty

Paul Simon

 

What a triple bill! That would be a very strange crowd...

 

Tool just played here a couple of weeks back for their Australian leg. I couldn't afford to go but I have seen them three times anyway. Good luck on seeing them.

I missed the Boston show. I made a poor decision.

 

Note to self: when Tool plays, just go see them. It doesn't matter if anyone wants to go with me or not.

 

You're damn right there, I never let going solo stop some of my shows in the past thankfully. Majority of them were probably the best ones as well.

[Tombstone Mountain]

Who's got the cool water? You know, when the fever runs high? (or is it feeling?) Edited May 23, 2013 by Tombstone Mountain

[Finding IT]

Time time time

to see whats become of me

as I looked around

for my possibilities

i was so hard to please

There's a sincerity to his poetry that really gets down in your bones. Simple truths that can really help you reach a "eureka" moment in life. Paul Simon's music just radiates that honesty

 

Absolutely agree. Perhaps none more than this one.

 

I know a father who had a son

He longed to tell him all the reasons for the things he'd done

He came a long way just to explain

He kissed his boy as he lay sleeping

Then he turned around and headed home again.

[Tombstone Mountain]

Time time time

to see whats become of me

as I looked around

for my possibilities

i was so hard to please

There's a sincerity to his poetry that really gets down in your bones. Simple truths that can really help you reach a "eureka" moment in life. Paul Simon's music just radiates that honesty

 

Absolutely agree. Perhaps none more than this one.

 

I know a father who had a son

He longed to tell him all the reasons for the things he'd done

He came a long way just to explain

He kissed his boy as he lay sleeping

Then he turned around and headed home again.

making me cry bro! waaaaahhhhhhhh (not really crying, well kinda on the inside)

[Finding IT]

Time time time

to see whats become of me

as I looked around

for my possibilities

i was so hard to please

There's a sincerity to his poetry that really gets down in your bones. Simple truths that can really help you reach a "eureka" moment in life. Paul Simon's music just radiates that honesty

 

Absolutely agree. Perhaps none more than this one.

 

I know a father who had a son

He longed to tell him all the reasons for the things he'd done

He came a long way just to explain

He kissed his boy as he lay sleeping

Then he turned around and headed home again.

making me cry bro! waaaaahhhhhhhh (not really crying, well kinda on the inside)

 

I know, man. Hits me very hard, too!

[CygnusGal]

Who's got the cool water? You know, when the fever runs high? (or is it feeling?)

Fever, I think.

 

When something goes right, it's apt to confuse me. You know, it's such an unusual sight.

 

:cheers:

[goose]

Time time time

to see whats become of me

as I looked around

for my possibilities

i was so hard to please

There's a sincerity to his poetry that really gets down in your bones. Simple truths that can really help you reach a "eureka" moment in life. Paul Simon's music just radiates that honesty

 

Absolutely agree. Perhaps none more than this one.

 

I know a father who had a son

He longed to tell him all the reasons for the things he'd done

He came a long way just to explain

He kissed his boy as he lay sleeping

Then he turned around and headed home again.

making me cry bro! waaaaahhhhhhhh (not really crying, well kinda on the inside)

 

I know, man. Hits me very hard, too!

I know a man, he came from my hometown

He wore his passion for his woman like a thorny crown

He said Dolores, I live in fear

My love for you's so overpowering, I'm afraid that I will disappear

[Tombstone Mountain]

Here's a cool little story about Phil Ramone's memorial service, Simon played:

 

 

Paul Simon, Quincy Jones, Kevin Spacey, More Celebrate Phil Ramone's Life and Legacy at Memorial Concert

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By Ed Christman | May 13, 2013 12:19 PM EDT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.billboard.com/files/styles/promo_650/public/media/phil-ramone-billy-joel-quincy-jones-650.jpg

 

Billy Joel and Quincy Jones, backstage at the Phil Ramone Music Memorial Celebration Concert (Johnny Richie)

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The life of legendary producer Phil Ramone was celebrated Saturday night in grand style, with performances from many of the acts he produced down through the years such as Billy Joel, Paul Simon and Tony Bennett, along with remembrances from Quincy Jones and Kevin Spacey.

Other luminaries spotted in the audience by Billboard included Jack Douglas, Mike and Linda Moran, Paul Williams, Paul Shaffer and Seymour Stein.

The event was held in honor of the producer, who passed away March 30, after being hospitalized in February with an aortic aneurysm.

The event, which kicked off with an audio-only track of a young Ramone playing violin on the "Ted Mack Amateur Hour," was held in the theater of the Salvation Army on 14th Street in Manhattan, in light of Ramone's ties to the organization's orchestra.

First up at the podium to memorialize Ramone was another legendary producer, Quincy Jones. Jones remembered, back when he was producing Lesley Gore in the 1960's at the A&R Studio-co-owned by Ramone, that he "had the raggiest equipment I have ever saw in my life -- it was held together with band-aids -- but he knew how to get incredible sounds out of it."

http://www.billboard.com/files/media/phil-ramone-quincy-jones-510.jpg

Quincy Jones addresses the crowd at Phil Ramone's Music Memorial Celebration Concert in New York (Matthew Eisman)

Jones was followed at the podium by Billy Joel, who remembered that he had made four albums without much success before teaming up with Ramone. "Even 'Piano Man,' which got a lot of radio airplay but wasn't a 'sell-through hit,' and it never made much money." Then, Ramone signed on to do his fifth album, The Stranger, which ultimately proved to be his breakthrough, most successful album. But. before Ramone came aboard, Joel recounted searching for the right producer, almost agreeing to let James William Guercio, whose company Carabou managed Joel, record his fourth album. But Joel had a mission; he wanted to use his own band on the record. "We were on the road then, as an opening act, and we were kicking the crap out of the headliners, and I was begging to make an album with my band," Joel remembered. "But Guercio said 'Let's put you together with Elton's John's band.'"

"So I produced -- or rather torpedoed -- the album myself," Joel remembered. Then Joel almost went with Beatles producer George Martin, but he also didn't want to use Joel's band. "Can you imagine what Columbia was thinking about their artist who had fired Guercio and nixed George Martin? But Ramone came along saw us play live and said he would use the band."

Working with Ramone completely changed my life," Joel said. "I am not just talking about fame and fortune, but also about joy and enrichment."

When Joel was recording The Nylon Curtain in 1982, "Phil turned the studio into an instrument," Joel remembered. When the album was nearly all recorded, Ramone told Joel, "This album needs an epilogue," so Joel wrote "Where's The Orchestra," which he said "has been running through my head ever since Phil passed away. With that, Joel sat down at the piano and played the "commissioned" song.

http://www.billboard.com/files/media/phil-ramone-tony-bennett-510_0.jpg

Tony Bennett performs for and addresses the crowd, honoring producer Phil Ramone in New York, May 11, 2013 (Matthew Eisman)

Tony Bennett, who had two of his albums produced by Ramone, took to the stage next, coming out out and easing into "Fly Me To The Moon." After his performance Bennett told attendees, "There will never be another like him; he was the best -- and I have had a lot of producers in my career."

Bennett then introduced Dave Gruisin, who told the audience he feels like he lost a brother. Gruisin pointed out that he knew Ramone since his days at his A&R Studio on 48th Street. But he reminded the audience that Ramone's craft cut across media. In addition to producing albums, Ramone was also involved in staging live and television events like the Grammys and Elton John Special, as well as recording music for movies like "Yentl," "Flashdance," "Reds," Midnight Cowboy," and "Beyond the Sea."

Gruisin gave way to Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary, who performed "Day Is Done." Other performers included Nikki Yanokky, who sang "You'll Have To Swing Again" and Matthew Morrison, who performed "Come Rain or Come Shine/Basin Street Blues." Shelby Lynne sang a song from her Dusty Springfield tribute album You Don't Have To Say You Love Me. The evening concluded with Josh Groban, who sang "Smile."

However, the first performance of the evening was from the Salvation Army's Phil Ramone Orchestra For Children, who played "When The Saints Come Marching In."

http://www.billboard.com/files/media/phil-ramone-memorial-orchestra-650_1.jpg

The Salvation Army Phil Ramone Orchestra for Children performs during the Phil Ramone Music Memorial Celebration concert event at New York's Salvation Army Theater (Matthew Richie)

In the 1800s, The Salvation Army used music to help spread word about the organization's mission, according to Lt. Colonel Guy D. Klemanski, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Greater New York Division. Ramone began that orchestra in 2011, recruiting about 65 children from P.S. 206 in Harlem, helping to teach them how to play their instruments at after-school rehearsals. "Never would we imagine someone coming along now could have an impact on an organization that already had an 150-year tradition," Klemanski said. Last year, Ramone was awarded the Salvation Army's "Pinnacle of Achievement Award."

On the other hand, his son BJ remembered how much fun his father had in the studio. "He loved working with the reverb chamber," he recalled. "When he was working with Paul Simon and needed the sound of breaking glass, he tried several things, including dropping and breaking 4 gallon water jars." Finally, he got the sound he wanted by breaking large sheets of glass with a sledgehammer, BJ Ramone said.

http://www.billboard.com/files/media/phil-ramone-kevin-spacey-510.jpg

Kevin Spacey peforms below a projection of himself and Phil Ramone in the studio (Matthew Eisman)

Ramone also helped established stars reach their dreams too.

Kevin Spacey wanted to make a Bobby Darin movie, "Beyond The Sea."

"I had two crazy ideas; I wanted to play Bobby Darrin and I wanted to sing the songs, not lip sync them," Spacey Said. "Everyone was against me singing, including all the producers who were putting up the money. But I didn't want to imitate Darin, I wanted to find a way to attack the songs. Phil said, 'Okay, we'll get you there.'"

Spacey went on to sing two songs with the house band, "By Myself" and "The Curtain Falls."

http://www.billboard.com/files/media/phil-ramone-paul-simon-510.jpg

Paul Simon performs during Phil Ramone's Music Memorial Celebration concert (Matthew Eisman)

Paul Simon said he thought of "Phil more as a friend than a producer." He played two songs, "Slip Sliding Away" and "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover," from Still Crazy After All These Years, which Ramone co-produced with the artist. The house band featured drummer Steve Gadd, who came up with the drum hook for "50 Ways."

Like the house band, the entire event was staged by live event professionals, even the guys handling the cables, who had all worked with Phil. "When we were asked to do this show, it was a work of love," says one such worker who didn't want to be identified.

Ramone's wife Karen, accompanied by her three sons, Matthew, Simon and BJ, closed the evening by thanking everyone who had come and reminded Ramone's friends, family and artists, She said, “It was always about the song -- never about him."

 

Join the conversation (2)

[Lost In Xanadu]

http://www.simonandstingtour.com/

 

Feb and March, tix on presale tomorrow

[Segue Myles]

That song from The Wild Thornberry's Movie, Father And Daughter is SWEEEEEEEEET!

 

I love that song.

[Lost In Xanadu]

http://www.simonandstingtour.com/

 

Feb and March, tix on presale tomorrow

Going to see them tomorrow!

 

I looked to see the format (not so much the setlist) and see they they sing alone and together throughout the show.

[hobo73]

sigh

I love Paul Simon ;)

[Lost In Xanadu]

Anyone with a chance to see him, go!

 

The show was great. Nothing flashy, but great great music. Sting and Paul together sounded great, they sang alone, they sang together. They sang each other's song. Was a fun night. The band was amazing, at least 20 people accompanying them playing horns, strings, percussion, etc. Even a guy playing the washboard and accordion.

[Rutlefan]

Mrs. Robinson followed by The Boxer. On top of everything else there is to love about his songs, I really love his guitar work.

[By Tor]

A tough question .

 

But I going to go with I Am A Rock.

[Tombstone Mountain]

Mrs. Robinson followed by The Boxer. On top of everything else there is to love about his songs, I really love his guitar work.

He has the magic touch. Name one song he wrote that sucks—can't find one

[Steevo]

Mrs. Robinson followed by The Boxer. On top of everything else there is to love about his songs, I really love his guitar work.

He has the magic touch. Name one song he wrote that sucks—can't find one

 

Aye TM, he's a genius, no question. I really need to investigate his last three albums more.

Edited March 27, 2014 by Steevo

[Tombstone Mountain]

I about died when I saw this. I've only watched it once so far...didn't know this existed