Under the Greatest Hits Live banner, Eagle Vision Classics presents Paul Simon at Philadelphia’s Tower Theater on October 7, 1980, which was previously released in 2003 as Live at the Tower Theatre. While a good set of easy-listening soft rock is played over the 53 minutes, almost half the tunes are not part of what are generally considered Simon’s “greatest hits.”
This concert was actually part of Simon’s tour in support of his 1980 album One-Trick Pony, which had been out for about six weeks. He was accompanied by members of the funk band Stuff: Steve Gadd (drums), Eric Gale (lead guitar), and Richard Tee (electric piano). Tony Levin (bass guitar) rounded out the main line-up, all of whom also played on the album.
Simon plays songs from all his solo studio albums, opening with the Latin-influenced “Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard” from his debut. Gale delivers a silky smooth solo on the bridge. The mood changes with a version of “Still Crazy After All These Years” led by Tee’s piano that is so smooth and laid back it’s a surprise Simon isn’t singing it in a recliner. George Young brings some restrained energy to the number with a very nice sax solo.
Simon’s sense of humor is evident as banters with the crowd. At different times, he denies it’s his birthday after something shouted from an audience member, suggests people move closer if they like, and he introduces two guys on the camera crew who are running around to record the show.
Simon switches to acoustic guitar for “Something So Right,” a wonderfully insightful love song about people who get in the way of their own happiness. He goes right back to electric as the band delivers a sweet, easy groove for him to tell the tale of a “One-Trick Pony.” In case something so right goes wrong, Simon offers his #1 hit “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” Here, a horn section backs the chorus, and while it makes the song bigger, it doesn’t make it better. However, Gale once again is allowed to shine.
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