Paul Simon news

The live album “Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert,” is coming out Oct. 9 on 3LP, 2CD, digital music platforms and online streaming. “Under African Skies,” featuring a duet with wife Edie Brickell is streaming now; listen HERE.

This recording was seen and heard in the Quiet Celebration concert film that debuted on Disney+ and Hulu. The album opens with 'Seven Psalms,' a 33-minute piece, arranged and composed especially to be heard and seen live. 

In the film, Paul reflects on his return to playing live. “It’s enabled me to play with musicians again. I really missed it. Everybody has enjoyed the experience so much, there’s been a feeling of camaraderie and elation that we were playing this piece of music that we were really interested in, and that had a significant effect on me. It made for one of the most extraordinary tours I’ve done - maybe the most joyous.”

These performances concluded the first leg of Paul’s Quiet Celebration US Tour. The band included Mark Stewart, Steve Gadd, Bakithi Kumalo, Andy Snitzer, Mick Rossi, Jamey Haddad, Gyan Riley, Nancy Stagnitta, Caleb Burhans and Eugene Friesen. 

Set/track list:

Seven Psalms
Graceland
Slip Slidin’ Away
Homeward Bound
The Late Great Johnny Ace
St. Judy’s Comet
Under African Skies
Rene & Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War
Rewrite
Spirit Voices
The Cool, Cool River
Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Father & Daughter
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
The Boxer
The Sound of Silence

Photo credit: Jake Edwards