More Thoughts About Paul Simon's Quiet Celebration Concert
I was reminded recently of the scene in Chariots of Fire when Sybil Gordon, after watching Harold Abrahams lose a race to Eric Liddell, tries to encourage him by saying, "You were marvelous! He was more marvelous."That's how I felt watching the newly-released Paul Simon documentary, "The Quiet Celebration 2025 Concert." I had recently seen this concert live at the Hollywood Bowl. And yes, that concert was marvelous. But this concert documentary was more marvelous.
True, it was essentially the same concert, but everything about it was just so much better. Maybe it was the sound engineers, or the smaller venue, or the magic of video editing, or the camera-work focusing on the musicians surrounding him on stage. You don't see this at a live concert, especially at a large venue.
And my comment about Paul Simon's vocals being slightly off-tune at the live concert doesn't apply here. His vocals here are lovely. The entire concert was truly beautiful. Especially the final 30 minutes or so.
I think this DVD is one to buy and keep. For the next generation.
He won't be around forever.
