Still crazy

Last night I got to see a living legend.  Live in concert.  Paul Simon at the iWireless Center (though, to me it's still the MARK) in Moline, IL.  Surprisingly, not sold out, but those people not in the empty seats sure missed a great show.  First of all, Simon sounds great.  His voice still carries its characteristic timbre and he maintains full vocal range, singing the high notes with ease.  His guitar playing is solid and more than once he took out a harmonica and played it flawlessly.  It's such a treat to see on stage a group of people who look like that are doing the very thing they were born to do, and Simon and his band members do just that.

Can I talk about the band for a moment?  WOW!  Such musicianship!  The band was an 8 piece (plus Paul), but every player contributed more than just one sound (except for maybe the drummer, but he was kept pretty busy throughout the show.)  The lead guitarist played a bari saxophone and whistles.  The tenor player played soprano sax and marimba.  The trumpet player was also the accordionist and auxiliary percussion. 

These guys have my dream job!

After an impressive half set from the opening Punch Brothers, the concert began with the welcoming strains of the accordion from The Boy in the Bubble (Graceland album.  I've discussed this album before.  Look for the post about Links and Paul Simon.)  Throughout the rest of the nearly 2-hour show, Simon played a well-balanced mix of old hits and new songs from his latest album So Beautiful or So What (that you are now hereby commanded to go out and listen to.  It's really good.  Go!  Listen!)  A smooth sounding 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, a sweet Still Crazy After All These Years, and a couple of covers from Bo Diddley and George Harrison.  I'm not an obsessive Paul Simon fan, but I've yet to hear something from him that I didn't like. 

I love his world music sound, and he pulls a lot from South African and Zydeco influences, and plays it well.  Before leaving the stage, he took a moment to personally introduce each band member, including the bassist, Bathiki Kumalo, who Simon introduced as his bassist from the Graceland album and friend of 25 years.  Kumalo is responsible for that famous bassline you hear on the You Can Call Me Al track.  He wrote the line and Paul had him play it forwards and backwards.  That's just awesome.