Paul Simon's show at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, CA on Tuesday was, by our count, the 39th of this comeback A Quiet Celebration tour, which is his first tour since 2018's Homeward Bound -- The Farewell Tour. Perhaps more importantly, this show was Simon's first since the surgery that was necessary due to the excruciating back pain that forced him to cancel a couple of shows in Philadelphia.
So hey, let's cut a man of 83 years some slack when he's still recuperating. Let's set a low bar and just be grateful for whatever Simon is able to offer up.
No need! See, here's the thing. The tour is called A Quiet Celebration anyway. These shows, with a first set which sees Simon perform his most recent Seven Psalms album in its entirety, are less about whoopin' and hollerin' (although the Long Beach crowd does plenty of that), and more about marinating in Simon's lyrics.
Seven Psalms is one track in seven flowing parts, meant to be listened to in one sitting. It's a delicate piece that finds the artist in contemplative mood--admittedly not an unusual state given his past work, but more so here. Based on the Book of Psalms, it makes for an intense live experience. As we sat hypnotized by lyrics such as, "Wait, I'm not ready, I'm just packing my gear; Wait, My hand's steady, My mind is still clear" in the final part ("Wait"), Simon's recent health issue magnified the feelings of fragility and vulnerability.
The second set was a mixture of hits and deep cuts, with Simon's wife Edie Brickell occasionally joining him. We got the title track and a glorious "Under African Skies" from the beloved Graceland album, and a simply beautiful "Slip Slidin' Away." Like Dylan, Simon's voice has changed as he's aged. He's also had issues with his hearing. Those things are not unusual at 83, and opinions are subjective as to the effects on his performances. But to these ears, Simon's voice is still gorgeous. He carries the emotion that seeps out of his catalog with gentle strength and delicate beauty, as he always did. Different isn't always worse.
There were three Simon & Garfunkel songs in set two and the encore, and they too sounded particularly poignant here. "Homeward Bound" ("Home where my thought's escapin', Home where my music's playin', Home where my love lies waitin', Silently for me") hits hard, while "The Boxer" had Long Beach predictably "lie-la-lie"-ing full-voiced.
The closing "Sound of Silence" provided a fitting conclusion. It felt like the only possible way to draw a line under the evening--the famous lyrics carrying a lot of weight as we contemplate a return to touring in twilight years, struggles with health yet artistic rejuvenation. It's a lot. But the overwhelming feeling as Simon took his applause and the crowd spilled out of the theater was one of joy.
Photo Credit: Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
