Seeing Paul Simon, one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century, performing other people’s songs shows the reverence he must have for those artists.
Paul Simon, Rod Laver Arena, 2013, Photo By Ros O'Gorman
At his Melbourne show he paid homage to George Harrison by performing his classic ‘Here Comes The Sun’ and Bo Diddley ‘Pretty Thing’. Junior Parker and Chet Atkins were also given a nod with ‘Mystery Train’ and ‘Wheels’ woven into a ‘Hearts and Bones’ medley.
Paul Simon is in Australia to headline Bluesfest this weekend and is doing his own shows around the country.
The music of Paul Simon has transcended generations and that was evident with a surprisingly young crowd gathering at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne for a rare look at a legend. Late teens to early 20s were in equal numbers of 30-50 year olds and a select number of 50+. It is no wonder. The music of Paul Simon is ageless and timeless.
I couldn’t help but notice the humour in Frank Sinatra’s version of Simon’s ‘Mrs Robinson’ being played over the speakers as the audience left the venue. It was a black comedy moment that went over the head of most people. Sinatra’s cheesy ‘Scooby dooby doo’ version of the Simon penned classic made for a fitting ending to a great few hours of music history.
Paul was last in Australia with Art Garfunkel in 2009. Prior to that his previous visit was 21 years ago. This current tour is the first time in decades Simon has performed his solo songbook for Australia and he covered a good chunk of solo hits during his 1 hour 45 mins on stage.
The Simon & Garfunkel era was kept to a minimum with just three songs ‘’The Only Living Boy In New York’, ‘The Sound Of Silence’ and ‘The Boxer’ as the final song.
The centerpiece album of this show was his classic 1986 ‘Graceland’.
Here is the setlist for Paul Simon at Rod Laver Arena, March 28, 2013.
Gumboots (from Graceland, 1986)
Dazzling Blue (from So Beautiful Or So What, 2011)
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (from Still Crazy After All These Years, 1975)
Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard (from Paul Simon, 1972)
That Was Your Mother (from Graceland, 1986)
Hearts And Bones/Mystery Train/Wheels (from Hearts and Bones, 1983/Junior Parker cover/Chet Atkins cover)
Slip Slidin Away (from Greatest Hits Etc, 1977)
My Little Town (from Still Crazy After All These Years, 1975)
Obvious Child (from The Rhythm of the Saints, 1990)
The Only Living Boy In New York (from Bridge Over Troubled Waters, 1970)
Crazy Love Vol. II (from Graceland, 1986)
So Beautiful Or So What (from So Beautiful Or So What, 2011)
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes (from Graceland, 1986)
Late In The Evening (from One Trick Pony, 1980)
The Sound Of Silence (from Sounds of Silence, 1966)
Kodachrome / Gone At Last (from There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, 1973 / Still Crazy After All These Years, 1975))
Here Comes The Sun (George Harrison cover)
You Can Call Me Al (from Graceland, 1986)
Graceland (from Graceland, 1986)
Pretty Thing (Bo Diddley cover)
The Boxer (from Bridge Over Troubled Waters, 1970)
Remaining Paul Simon Australian dates are:
March 30, Newcastle, Entertainment Centre
April 1, Byron Bay, Bluesfest
April 2, Sydney, Entertainment Centre
New Zealand:
April 6, Dunedin, Forsyth Barr Stadium
April 8, Auckland, Vector Arena
