How wonderful that so many came out — even with, or especially because of, their walkers and canes. Last night I was at a Beatles tribute concert by The Walrus in Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH. We all sang along with Love is All You Need, and Hey Jude and Let It Be ( a companion in time to Bridge Over Troubled Waters). I loved the comfort and hope of these songs and the community that supported them.
Thanks Judy --- I'm so glad to hear about the Beatles tribute concert -- singing those songs in community is so powerful!! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hal, I listened to all of those Simon and Garfunkel albums you mention, over and over and over again, and I bought a hardbound massive songbook (I still have it) to learn how to play them all on my brand new Martin guitar back in 1970. The harmonies were so fresh! And somehow the lyrics helped me understand myself better.
Dear Ed -- So very true! They came out between my junior yr in HS and senior yr in college -- such times of great ferment (64-70) in the country, but also in this emerging adult. And they still feel fresh and very meaningful today. I may have to watch The Graduate again this weekend....
Hal, it sounds like you had a wonderful experience at Tanglewood, and thank you for sharing it. Paul Simon is arguably the greatest living American songwriter (followed closely in my book by Stevie Wonder), and I have followed him since the 60's. I attended what I think was the same, or very similar, concert in Austin this year. I must admit that I, like some of your fellow attendees, was puzzled by "Seven Psalms." First mistake, I wasn't familiar with it and heard it for the first time at the concert. I, too, was expecting some of the more familiar Paul Simon compositions. After reading your assessment, I will go back and listen to it again more closely.
And you're right, music is medicine: I had a wonderful music experience in Austin last night hearing Three Women and the Truth. I saw them for the first time at the She Rises festival that Rhonda and I attended in New Mexico two years ago. It is so energizing and stimulating to witness a live performance of talented people performing for an appreciative audience - still jazzed about it.
Thanks Barbara! Tanglewood always delivers very special treats. Just the place itself is healing -- so bucolic, peaceful, lots of grounds and trees and birds, birds, birds. During down times when performances aren't happening, you can walk around and hear individual musicians or ensembles practicing. Music is literally in the air.
I really appreciate your comments about Paul Simon. It sounds like we attended a very similar program. When Seven Psalms initially came out, the music critics hopped on it and said it's Paul's swansong -- that he wouldn't be composing or performing any more, etc. His message was something like the famous, "Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated!" In the psalms, I do detect him grappling with mortality and framing ideas about legacy and the hereafter. It's quite fascinating to see someone as high-profile as him muse about these things publicly. On the recording (and at Tanglewood), his wife Edie Brickell came out and sang with him on the last movement or 2 of it. Very sweet.
The Three Women and the Truth performance sounds amazing! Yes, live music is something you just can't beat! May we both get a lot of it this summer!
I am definitely going to give Seven Psalms another listen. I think I wasn't in the frame of mind to hear and was unfamiliar with it, first mistake. I also was sitting far enough back that I couldn't understand the lyrics - just trying out a new pair of hearing aids, yay. Edie sang with him at the show I saw, too. Never count Paul Simon out!
Indeed, Hal, music is medicine. I’ve always found S&G’s music to possess the almost mystical property of healing. I’m not familiar with all of Simon’s solo work but I might check out the Psalms album. Tanglewood seems to be a perfect venue. The first song I ever saw being performed there was, I believe, Jane Oliver singing “One Enchanted Evening.” I wished I’d been there.
Thanks Paul -- Tanglewood is one of my favorite places on the planet --- verdant and peaceful (when there aren't 25,000 people there!) and always a site where people are friendly and relaxed. I think you would appreciate the Seven Psalms album -- there's a lot to take in.
How wonderful that so many came out — even with, or especially because of, their walkers and canes. Last night I was at a Beatles tribute concert by The Walrus in Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH. We all sang along with Love is All You Need, and Hey Jude and Let It Be ( a companion in time to Bridge Over Troubled Waters). I loved the comfort and hope of these songs and the community that supported them.
Thank you for your meditations!
Thanks Judy --- I'm so glad to hear about the Beatles tribute concert -- singing those songs in community is so powerful!! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hal, I listened to all of those Simon and Garfunkel albums you mention, over and over and over again, and I bought a hardbound massive songbook (I still have it) to learn how to play them all on my brand new Martin guitar back in 1970. The harmonies were so fresh! And somehow the lyrics helped me understand myself better.
Dear Ed -- So very true! They came out between my junior yr in HS and senior yr in college -- such times of great ferment (64-70) in the country, but also in this emerging adult. And they still feel fresh and very meaningful today. I may have to watch The Graduate again this weekend....
Thank you, Hal. Your writing is restorative.
Thank you, Sally! It was so good seeing you a few weeks ago.
Hal, it sounds like you had a wonderful experience at Tanglewood, and thank you for sharing it. Paul Simon is arguably the greatest living American songwriter (followed closely in my book by Stevie Wonder), and I have followed him since the 60's. I attended what I think was the same, or very similar, concert in Austin this year. I must admit that I, like some of your fellow attendees, was puzzled by "Seven Psalms." First mistake, I wasn't familiar with it and heard it for the first time at the concert. I, too, was expecting some of the more familiar Paul Simon compositions. After reading your assessment, I will go back and listen to it again more closely.
And you're right, music is medicine: I had a wonderful music experience in Austin last night hearing Three Women and the Truth. I saw them for the first time at the She Rises festival that Rhonda and I attended in New Mexico two years ago. It is so energizing and stimulating to witness a live performance of talented people performing for an appreciative audience - still jazzed about it.
Thanks Barbara! Tanglewood always delivers very special treats. Just the place itself is healing -- so bucolic, peaceful, lots of grounds and trees and birds, birds, birds. During down times when performances aren't happening, you can walk around and hear individual musicians or ensembles practicing. Music is literally in the air.
I really appreciate your comments about Paul Simon. It sounds like we attended a very similar program. When Seven Psalms initially came out, the music critics hopped on it and said it's Paul's swansong -- that he wouldn't be composing or performing any more, etc. His message was something like the famous, "Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated!" In the psalms, I do detect him grappling with mortality and framing ideas about legacy and the hereafter. It's quite fascinating to see someone as high-profile as him muse about these things publicly. On the recording (and at Tanglewood), his wife Edie Brickell came out and sang with him on the last movement or 2 of it. Very sweet.
The Three Women and the Truth performance sounds amazing! Yes, live music is something you just can't beat! May we both get a lot of it this summer!
I am definitely going to give Seven Psalms another listen. I think I wasn't in the frame of mind to hear and was unfamiliar with it, first mistake. I also was sitting far enough back that I couldn't understand the lyrics - just trying out a new pair of hearing aids, yay. Edie sang with him at the show I saw, too. Never count Paul Simon out!
Absolutely - never count him out! I'll be interested in what you think about the piece after you give it another listen.
May be a little while, but stay tuned (so to speak)...
Great to read this and wonderful to bump into you today. Yes Music is Medicine. Read the book Music and Mind, edited by Renee Fleming !.
Yes, great to see you! And yes -- I have the book, and it's great. I hope to keep seeing you!
Indeed, Hal, music is medicine. I’ve always found S&G’s music to possess the almost mystical property of healing. I’m not familiar with all of Simon’s solo work but I might check out the Psalms album. Tanglewood seems to be a perfect venue. The first song I ever saw being performed there was, I believe, Jane Oliver singing “One Enchanted Evening.” I wished I’d been there.
Thanks Paul -- Tanglewood is one of my favorite places on the planet --- verdant and peaceful (when there aren't 25,000 people there!) and always a site where people are friendly and relaxed. I think you would appreciate the Seven Psalms album -- there's a lot to take in.