Paul Simon's got a new album

Music on Sunday @ The Reaction

By Richard K. Barry 

I saw Paul Simon at Massey Hall in Toronto last night. Great show. He's flogging a new album called So Beautiful or So What, which is getting terrific notices.

If I counted correctly, he's got an eight-piece band with him that is simply unbelievable. I loved it when the lead guitarist picked up a baritone sax or when the drummer started playing rhythm guitar. It seemed like these guys could do anything. And the tenor sax player was making me crazy -- almost enough for me to throw my own horn in the dustbin (not quite).

Most people know this, but Paul Simon is not a nostalgia act -- never has been. There was never any fear that the audience would become frustrated that he didn't play enough of the older hits because everyone was there to hear what the man can do, what he can still do as he quickly approaches 70. Not that he isn't a consummate showman, though, so, yes, he trotted out a few of the classics from the '60s and the '70s.

For a long time now his thing has been about a great rhythm section, world music influences, always great songwriting, and superb musicianship. It was nice to see lots of young people in the audience as well.

Here's something from the new album called "The Afterlife."

(Cross-posted at Music Across the 49th.)