Just as we’d never know whether he’d put out another album again, the idea of Paul Simon touring could not be predicted. But with the burst of inspiration that spawned Seven Psalms—and the subsequent acclaim—he gathered a band to perform a few dates. These went so well that the Seattle performance of The Quiet Celebration Concert appeared first as a film on streaming platforms, then as an a full-length album. The show begins with a few words of thanks and explanation of the program before going straight into the Seven Psalms suite in its entirety. Either the audience was that reverent or they were carefully mixed out, but they don’t intrude on the performance at all, but cheer heartedly at the close. His and Edie Brickell’s voices sound fragile, but that works for the context.
The second part is devoted to “a bunch of hits” and a few lesser-traveled songs, beginning with “Graceland”. In keeping with the theme of the show, the selections and arrangements are predominantly low-key and easy on his throat, though he does attempt some high notes, and even hits them. He tells a few stories to introduce songs, such as “The Late Great Johnny Ace”, which includes the Philip Glass coda from the album version. More recent songs, like “Rewrite” and “Father And Daughter” are well-received, while “Spirit Voices” and “Cool, Cool River” are adapted from The Rhythm Of The Saints, the latter being the loudest song in the set. Steve Gadd gets a shout-out before “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover”, then “The Boxer” and “The Sound Of Silence” bring the well-spent evening to a close.
Paul Simon The Quiet Celebration Concert (2026)—3
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