Paul is Done

He earned his break. 

Thank you Paul for living in our time and for so many wonderful songs that you've shared with us over so many years.

Old friends
Old friends
Sat on their park bench
Like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
On the high shoes
Of the old friends

Old friends
Winter companions
The old men
Lost in their overcoats
Waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city
Sifting through trees
Settle like dust
On the shoulders
Of the old friends

Can you imagine us
Years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange
To be seventy

Old friends
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear

I agree with both of the above posters. Paul Simon (with, or without Art Garfunkel) has always been A-list for me. When I have heard that he has a new album, I have bought it without thinking. He has never disappointed! I will miss his music.

Paul Simon, just the mention of his name puts a smile on my face. Thank you for taking me on the ride with you.

I saw a show from the Paul and Sting tour a few years ago and everybody was great live. Danced my a** off partly due to the open bar (a "box" at the Boston venue), but recently I was listening to my original copy old Vinyl of his first solo album, and it sounds astonishing with an amazing recording quality and, of course, great songs (first hit in the USA of an authentic reggae tune)...touring sucks for everybody, including the elderly, so if Paul just records from now on I utterly get it.

If you get a chance, watch the documentary "Under African Skies". It’s about the making of ’Graceland’. But, the backstory demonstrates how Paul helped to bring South African music to the world. This was when apartheid and politics were formidable obstacles. There are some amazing scenes showing his journey of discovery. It’s quite uplifting.
Here’s a trailer.https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/paul-simon-under-african-skies

Going to see him at MSG in sept and the Dobbie Bros in nov.Oh the good old days!!

What steakster said...  I had a moment of incredible dumb luck and stumbled onto that documentary on a cable channel (A&E?  Paladia? whatever...) a few years back and just had to watch - the heck with bedtime.  There were so many kinda constant and (not so) subtle undercurrents flowing throughout but in the end there was a strength and beauty to the music and some phenomenal people as a close group of performers that made me appreciate that colossal album all that much more.  Highly recommended.

A Great talent who we lived with all our lives .So many great ,great songs and performances.From one Queens guy who walked over the 59 st bridge to another.Thank you So much my brother.....

His recent DVD, “Paul Simon-Live in New York City” was worth the money. If you like Paul Simon, you will love this performance. You won’t be disappointed.

We saw him twice, in Oakland and Berkeley, California. Very unforgettable! 

I have all the S & G albums on vinyl and CD, as well as 6 of his albums.  And I  agree, the NY DVD is great!  I only saw him live once (great show) and he was  funny as hell on Saturday Night Live.

Thanks for everything Paul Simon.

Enjoy your retirement. 


JD

I rushed to buy tickets for his final show in Queens.  Can’t wait! Paul is an American original, legend and brought such a refined intelligent, lyricist and beautiful melodies to popular music.  He is a gem.  I love his recent work, too.  

I feel differently. I have never liked his solo work. I know that it's well done for the most part, I just don't connect with his outlook. I do really like old Simon and Garfunkel material though.

although preferring classical music Paul Simon stole my heart in my young years and I still listen to him when I feel nostalgic. The one album I play most is The Paul Simon Song Book, totally acoustic just him and his guitar and he is quite a picker. The guy is a complete one off and it will be a very sad day for me when he goes. Long life and a happy retirement Paul.

He gets little notice for his guitar playing and his arranging.  Check out his one-man version of "Surfer Girl" on youtube (played at a Brian Wilson tribute concert).  I think it's brilliant.

Paul is one of my favorites and he has contributed, in large part, to the sound track of my life. One Trick Pony and Songs of the Capeman are my favorites!!!!!!

Cheer up, fellas, I think he just said he was going to stop touring, not stop wring songs and making records.  And it's easy to imagine him doing the residency performance thing in the future.

Enjoy your retirement 
lol
Fi.

He's a great talent and will be missed....if he really sticks to his commitment to give up touring. Seems like we've heard that before from other artists.
The applause and adulation must be pretty addicting.
Also, to my way of thinking, "The Israelites" by Desmond Dekker is the first reggae tune to chart in the US (#9 on Billboard, June 1969).

Nothing new...just remember that Elton John, Rush and Neil Diamond have all announced the end of their touring years. Everyone gets old and tired eventually, some sooner rather than later. Be glad for the many years of touring they gave us, along with their music. Hopefully, Paul Simon still has something left in the tank and will put out a few more records.

It's not so easy for an artist to retire.  Being an artist is not like working at a brick factory.  I'm quite sure that Mr. Simon will continue to be an artist.  Nothing he can do about it!