Paul Simon

[CaledonianGonzo]

So, what did we all think? Some of us muts have been there given the vast crowd he managed to attract.

On the whole I enjoyed it, but I'm not going to be any more effusive than that. OK, he was struggling from a throat infection which accounted for his somewhat subdued demeanour and he's not exactly Mr Showbiz at the best of times, but it all seemed a little - I dunno - over-relaxed and low-key.

On the setlist front, no complaints generally except for one and it's a whopper. Not a single S&G song. Presumably done - along with all the numerous instrumental solos - to save his voice, but it was still a bummer when you see that just the week before he'd been singing The Only Living Boy In New York and The Sound of Silence.

Luckily, I just happened to be standing with what appeared to be some of the world's biggest Paul Simon fans in the arena and their enthusiasm carried me through. My friends were all down at the periphery after tarrying longer at Bellowhead and they all unanimously hated it.

I'd give him 3 stars out of 5, and one of those stars might be for You Can Call Me Al.

[austingz]

So, what did we all think? Some of us muts have been there given the vast crowd he managed to attract.

On the whole I enjoyed it, but I'm not going to be any more effusive than that. OK, he was struggling from a throat infection which accounted for his somewhat subdued demeanour and he's not exactly Mr Showbiz at the best of times, but it all seemed a little - I dunno - over-relaxed and low-key.

On the setlist front, no complaints generally except for one and it's a whopper. Not a single S&G song. Presumably done - along with all the numerous instrumental solos - to save his voice, but it was still a bummer when you see that just the week before he'd been singing The Only Living Boy In New York and The Sound of Silence.

Luckily, I just happened to be standing with what appeared to be some of the world's biggest Paul Simon fans in the arena and their enthusiasm carried me through. My friends were all down at the periphery after tarrying longer at Bellowhead and they all unanimously hated it.

I'd give him 3 stars out of 5, and one of those stars might be for You Can Call Me Al.

[Mardy]

very disappointed. particularly weak set i thought. biggest let down of the weekend for me. More hits, less w*nking around.

[Guest blackcockerel]

Sadly we were sat next to the family from hell, who ordered their son to refuse to let anyone past their little den, including several old people, and thought they were funny for doing so. The most obnoxious people I've ever met there, and they really spoilt our enjoyment of Paul Simon

[eFestivals]

I was very amused that the BBC6Music twitter said that he'sa opened with 'Gracelands'. No you ignorant bugger, it was 'Boy in the Bubble'.

And 'glastolive' twittered that he followed that with 'ten ways to leave your lover'.

[Magma]

Pretty much agree with the OP. It was good, but it could've been stunning if he'd rolled out a few S&G numbers. I walked away hoping Beyonce might pull out a cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water!

[russycarps]

Not one simona nd garfunkle song despite him regularly playing several on the recent tour did really annoy me. I cant understand it, was he just being bloody minded?

[Mardy]

And 'glastolive' twittered that he followed that with 'ten ways to leave your lover'.

[tolywoly]

While his set wasn't exactly packed with hits, it was nice and laid-back and summery; appropriate for a sunny Glastonbury Sunday. And we did get Call Me Al.

But of the two Sunday legends I prefered Don McLean. Vincent was a special moment.

[sifi]

very disappointed. particularly weak set i thought. biggest let down of the weekend for me. More hits, less w*nking around.

Edited June 29, 2011 by sifi

[ukslim]

I enjoyed it, but it wasn't all it could be. I was fine with the absence of S&G songs, but there were a few solo songs I was holding out for. I guess he dropped some tracks in favour of instrumentals, to save his voice.

He cancelled his Bournemouth show with 30 minutes notice, so I suppose we're lucky to have got anything

[CaledonianGonzo]

I particularly enjoyed singing Crying in the style of "Only Fools and Horses".

[tinktink]

I fell asleep, for me with Laura Marling on before him was just to much , I woke to the crowed in chourus to "al al alan alan" and realised it was his final song, some people were never meant to be alone and for me he needed "Art Art"

[ukslim]

some people were never meant to be alone and for me he needed "Art Art"

[abdoujaparov]

We made our one trip to the Pyramid stage for PS. It was a mediocre performance - he just struck me as bored and going through the motions.

The crowd was awful - full of people who were camped in front of the stage all day, reading the paper and taking no interest in the music, people around them or anything else. I cannot imagine a worse environment in which to enjoy music. We lasted half an hour before going somewhere more enjoyable.

[tinktink]

He's been a solo act since 1974. Gracelands, Paul Simon, and There Goes Rhymin' Simon are among the best albums ever made. He doesn't need Art Garfunkel. He needs to be healthy and on form.

(and arguably, 20 years younger - but we can't get that)

Edited June 29, 2011 by tinktink

[pinback]

I had also been to Bellowhead first, and they are a hard act to follow, plus getting to the Pyramid from west Holts meant I missed the start. But I had been looking forward to Paul Simon and was really disappointed. I know he was unwell but that doesn't excuse the dreary and anonymous-sounding song choices. I left after listening for half an hour - the only disappointing act of the weekend for me.

Edited June 29, 2011 by pinback

[tinktink]

This - I enjoyed Boy in the Bubble, 50 ways to leave your lover, but it kinda tailed off thereafter.

Sad, an opportunity missed. I can only hope he is harbouring desires of playing with Art some day, and didn't want to wet his powder so to speak. He has been playing a few S&G songs during his own shows, hasn't he?

Well, that's answered that question for me.

And agreed regarding Don McLean, Tolywoly. Vincent was nice, Pie was great - and I particularly enjoyed singing Crying in the style of "Only Fools and Horses".

[tinktink]

He's been a solo act since 1974. Gracelands, Paul Simon, and There Goes Rhymin' Simon are among the best albums ever made. He doesn't need Art Garfunkel. He needs to be healthy and on form.

(and arguably, 20 years younger - but we can't get that)

[Oddone]

Biggest disappointment of my entire Glasto career. I am a HUGE S&G fan and I knew he would focus on solo stuff. I was happy for him to do that so long as he cracked out 1/2/3 tunes. I would have been happy with 1 of the following. Ecstatic with 2! Sounds of silence, kathys song, homeward bound, mrs robinson, america, the boxer.

Gutted. So disappointed ive sold my ticket to his solo show as well.

[Morse Code]

One of the acts I was really looking forward to but was without doubt the biggest disappointment of the weekend.

A weak performance (reportedly due to illness) and a poor setlist. Had the potential to be something special but just turned out to be a let down.

[tjamest]

Was going to see him, but made last minute descision to see Duane Eddy with Richard Hawley at West Holts. Reading various comments I seem to have chosen the right lengend to listen to, he was superb!

[ukslim]

like I said personal choice, not keen on his solo work, Simon & Garfunkal all the way for me

[Troop Dogg]

I thoroughly enjoyed Paul Simon. It was so chilled out and relaxing. Loved Slip Sliding Away. That was one of the moments of the weekend for me. You could tell he was struggling with his voice, but I just thought it was a great show all things considered. The band were brilliant.

[Mardy]

If he'd changed just 2 songs, and played 'Me and Julio', 'Mother and Child Reunion' it would have tipped the balance and turned the gig around. Too much twiddly shite from the members of his band.