Paul Simon: Still Rockin' after All These Years

Paul Simon, 9:30 Club, Washington

Those of us lucky enough to have been at Paul Simon’s 9:30 Club show last night were kvelling for the entire show. Simon packed his 2-hour set with lots of classics, a couple of new songs (which sounded great), and even a couple of covers. His voice still sounds beautiful and pure; his band is absolutely stellar, and their well-placed solos and occasional jams were spot on.

Simon had just played DC’s DAR Constitution Hall a few days ago to rave reviews. But the 9:30, which holds about 1,200 people, is one third the size of DAR. Seeing him in this intimate setting was quite an experience and the (over)sold-out crowd showed him much love throughout the night.

The set, when considered as a whole, really reminds us of the breadth of Simon’s musical influences. So many genres—rock, blues, funk, zydeco, African rhythms, jazz, and even some gospel—and he tackles each one with great skill.

So what does kvell mean? It’s a Yiddish word meaning ‘bursting with pride.’ We all were. This show was pure joy.

Setlist included: (encores are correct but missing a couple songs in the main set)

The Boy In The Bubble
Dazzling Blue (new)
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
So Beautiful Or So What (new, title track)
Vietnam (Jimmy Cliff cover) / Mother And Child Reunion
That Was Your Mother
Hearts And Bones / Mystery Train (Junior Parker cover)
Slip Slidin´ Away
Rewrite (new)
Peace Like A River
The Obvious Child
The Only Living Boy In New York
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (w/ drum break at the end)
Gumboots

Encore 1:
The Sound Of Silence (solo acoustic)
Kodachrome / Gone At Last
Here Comes The Sun (Beatles cover)
Late In The Evening

Encore 2:
Still Crazy After All These Years
Crazy Love Part II