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entertainment1d ago
Paul Simon review – at 84, back on stage after hearing loss, his resolute artistry is inspiring
- Paul Simon, 84, returns to the stage in Liverpool with a hushed, intimate arena concert that emphasizes artistry over power.
- The show opens with the complete Seven Psalms cycle from 2023, delivered as quietly haunting reflections.
- Simon reshapes catalog favorites for the format, including 'Slip Slidin’ Away' with a new countrified arrangement.
- Bassist Bakithi Kumalo is noted as the last survivor from the Graceland era’s African ensemble.
- The performance culminates in a mesmeric 'The Sound of Silence' delivered in the original folk-club voice and guitar form.
- Simon references the Liverpool audience warmly, joking about where he wrote nearby and framing the show as a humbling experience.
- The concert emphasizes quiet drums, brush work, and restrained dynamics to maintain intimacy.
- The show blends original material with deep cuts and a reflective, reverential mood throughout the set.
- Simon’s tour marks a rare, personal return rather than a farewell victory lap, focusing on storytelling and atmosphere.
- The Guardian’s review highlights the show as a distinctive arena experience focused on listening and nuance.
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