After Simon & Garfunkel split in the early 70s, Paul Simon went on
to a successful solo career that carries on to this day. So, it was no surprise
when he drew thousands of fans to his concert in London’s Hyde Park
on July 15, 2012. There, Simon played an all-encompassing, three-hour set
that included his biggest solo hits (“Kodachrome,” “Mother
And Child Reunion,” “Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard,”
“50 Ways To Leave Your Lover”), as well as two Simon & Garfunkel
classics. Several special guests also joined Simon, including reggae singer
Jimmy Cliff, guitarist Jerry Douglas, and the musicians and singers featured
on the multi-platinum, award-winning Graceland album. Best of all, it was
all captured on video and audio for the eventual release of The
Concert In Hyde Park.
For the final show of the three-day 2012 Hard Rock Calling Festival (Soundgarden
headlined the first show and Bruce Springsteen topped the lineup at the
second one), Simon went all out with an outstanding band of A-list players
and two dozen songs spanning his entire career. Opening with “Kodachrome,”
Simon glows with confidence as he leads the ensemble through a songbook
rich in harmony and musicality. As a sing of Simon’s band unparalleled
musicianship, we occasionally see drummer Jim Oblon on guitar and guitarist
Mark Stewart on harmonica and saxophone. Jimmy Cliff comes out to perform
his songs “The Harder They Come” and “Many Rivers To Cross,”
before Simon joins in for powerful renditions of Cliff’s “Vietnam”
and his own “Mother And Child Reunion.”
All it takes is that famous drum shuffle to get the audience excited about
“50 Ways To Leave Your Lover.” And there’s discounting
the flowing acoustics on “hearts And Bones.” Yet the major highlight
of the whole show comes when Simon welcomes Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh
Masekela and other musicians who appeared on the Graceland album for a run
through of nine songs from the album. Judging by the response, it’s
obvious the crowd was eating up each and every note. Simon tackles “The
Sound of Silence” on his own, and is then joined by Jerry Douglas,
providing some tasty slide, and the rest of his band for “The Boxer.”
It only makes sense the show ends with “Still Crazy After All These
Years” because it doesn’t appear Paul Simon isn’t about
to rest on his laurels as he continues to write, record and perform. By
extension, The Concert In Hyde Park certainly puts the man’s career into proper perspective.
~ Shawn Perry
