I saw another musical icon Thursday night: Singer/Songwriter Paul Simon!!

I went with my Aunt Kim and our mutual friend Barry to see Mr. Simon play a fairly quiet/intimate show in the Cincinnati area.

Mr. Simon was not touring anymore as of a few years ago, due to most of his hearing going away in his left ear.

However, last year, he decided to go back out and tour with a relatively low volume show that helps him hear enough of the musicians around him so that he can sing his amazing songs.

Mr. Simon is very much a storyteller. If you listen to his phenomenal body of work, you will see that every song tells a story.

This show is maybe not your typical Paul Simon show, however, Mr. Simon has always done things his way and this show is no different.

This show was in two parts. The first is every song (7) from his latest album released in 2023 called Seven Psalms.

Even though the album has 7 songs, each song flows together as essentially one piece of music, which lasts about 33 minutes.

After this set, he and the band take a roughly 20-30 minute intermission then come back to play some of Mr. Simon’s hits and deep cuts from his massive discography.

Like any set list, not everyone is going to be happy, most especially with that much newer material. Although I think most of the audience had a good time, I heard some grumbling, but as I said, you can’t make everyone happy.

Some reviews have said Mr. Simon is not as good as he used to be. Well, he’s 84 years old, he’s basically half deaf, and as of about a year and a half ago, he was not doing this anymore. I’ll take this Paul Simon over no Paul Simon.

And you know what? This Paul Simon is not too bad.

I think his voice is still fine, he looks great, and even with the volume not being too much, the show is still enjoyable. And his band is great.

Along with Mr. Simon, his band includes Edie Brickell helping him out on some of the vocals and whistling, Mark Stewart on guitar, Bakithi Kumalo (the last surviving member of Mr. Simon’s Graceland band) on bass , Andy Snitzer on saxophone, Jamey Haddad on percussion, Mick Rossi on piano and keys, Gyan Riley on guitar, Matt Chamberlin on drums, Nancy Stagnitta on flute, Caleb Burhans on viola, and Eugene Friesen on cello.

They deliver Mr. Simon’s songs very well and everyone gets to shine, musically.

Again, I thought this was a fun show and frankly, I love his latest album, so I think hearing all of it live like this was really cool.

And I seriously will never understand why anyone goes to get food/drink/restroom breaks every time they don’t know a song.

These concerts cost a lot of money to go to, and yet, so many miss so much of the show. If you are really hungry/thirsty/have to go, then so be it. Otherwise, enjoy the show. But I digress.

Anyway, I know Kim, Barry, and myself had fun.
I’m glad we got to see this musical giant!!

Thank you Mr. Simon for returning to the stage and for all of your great albums over the decades, on your own and with Art Garfunkel.

Thank you.

P.S. Photos/videos were not permitted, but I did sneak some pictures right at the beginning and right at the end.  Sorry I couldn’t help it.  I’m a fan, not a paparazzi.