Grizzly Bear, Josh Groban Pay Tribute To Paul Simon
Say what you will about Paul Simon, dude from Los Lobos, but the guy's written more of the Great American Songbook than anyone playing Coachella this weekend. Aside from Prince. And Black Kids. Last night a motley crew of performers descended upon the Howard Gilman Opera House for Brooklyn Academy Of Music's month-long celebration of the Simon catalog. Earlier this month, we saw David Byrne visit Graceland at BAM and that was sort of thrilling. That was part of "Under African Skies" night. Last night's American theme ("Simon revisits the quiet railway stations, urban rhythms, and immigrant dreams of his greatest American tunes," according to the event program) resulted in a more mixed bag. A bag of Josh Groban.
It would be too easy and perhaps unfair to say Groban didn't belong. Yes, his showy baritone was a strange fit for "America." But the crowd (avg age 63) dug it, and gave a standing ovation. Earlier in the night, Grizzly Bear expertly deconstructed "Mother And Child Reunion" and "Graceland." The lady behind us seemed a bit confused by Chris's "noises" at the end of their slowcore "Mother And Child." They did not receive a standing O. (Grizz had rehearsed "Think Too Much," too, but unfortunately that was cut. Would've liked to hear that.) Cornetist (and father of Nas) Olu Dara offered a funky and jokey "Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover," and The Roches had fun (i.e., were sort of grating) with "Cecila." Maggie Roche did the funky chicken throughout. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings's impressive fretwork made "Duncan" a highlight. In fact, the country duo were the best part of the evening. Simon joined them for "The Boxer."
Paul and his band's "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard," "Mrs. Robinson," and "Train In The Distance" were all pleasant, but the man of the hour did not seem particularly enthused to be out of the house last night. The setlist:
"American Tune" - The Roches & Paul Simon
"Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard" - Paul Simon
"Graceland" - Grizzly Bear
"Mother And Child Reunion" - Grizzly Bear
"Peace Like A River" - Amos Lee
"Jonah" - Amos Lee
"Slip Slidin' Away" - Olu Dara
"Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover" - Olu Dara
"Still Crazy After all these Years" - Olu Dara
"Another Galaxy" - The Roches
"Cecilia" - The Roches
"America" - Josh Groban
"Silent Eyes" - Josh Groban
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Josh Groban & Paul Simon
"Gone At Last" - Gillian Welch
"Duncan" - Gillian Welch
"The Boxer" - Gillian Welsh
"The Sound Of Silence - Gillian Welch & Paul Simon
"Mrs. Robinson" - Paul Simon
"Train In The Distance" - Paul Simon
"How Can You Live In The Northeast?" - Paul Simon
"The Only Living Boy in New York" - Paul Simon & The Roches
"Late In The Evening" - Paul Simon
Grizzly Bear - "Graceland" (MP3)
Here is not Josh Groban covering "America."
Posted at 1:25 PM in Concert, MP3, Video
Tags: Amos Lee | Gillian Welch | Grizzly Bear | Josh Groban | Olu Dara | Paul Simon | The Roches
i hope someone is recording these shows? i need to hear this slowcore grizzly interpretation. now.
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I wish I snuck in a camera, but like, no one does that at BAM I guess.
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Yes, last night's show was recorded. You can listen to the Groban & Olu Dara sets at:
http://www.musicwebtown.com/wklitz01/187392
go to the usual bittorrent sites, you will find the entire show for download.
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can you give more direction? to the recordings?
-not an grobanite... the shows are NOT about josh groban, they are about paul simon.
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Paul Simon is a major prick.
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Gillian WelCh
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Oops, thanks.
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Josh Groban is a great singer. Definitely NOT showy. You sound jealous. The age of the audience would have been because of the Paul Simon fans. Josh's fans are more varied and much younger than that on average. Your choice of You Tube to play for that song is ridiculous, there is a copy on You Tube of Josh singing the song over a year ago. He's even stronger singing it now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52k-OCt2Egg
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I have to say I particularly enjoyed Josh Groban's performance in "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck"
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I'll take a mixed bag of JOSH anyday!!! Josh and Paul on the same stage?!?! CLASSIC.
There are those that get Josh (ME), and those that don't (YOU).
BEWARE! I have a feeling you're about to be bombarded by avid JOSH FANS.....and we're a mixed bag of nuts.....but WE GET IT!!!
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Josh Groban rocks, I would gladly watch a concert of his anyday and I love his version of "America" but I've neverheard the original. But, as everyone has an opinion, I think he's one of the best singers for soft rock/ballads I've heard, and he must think a lot of Paul Simon bc he does his music much justice. Luvya Josh!!
SienaJackson
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Hi!my name is mary and i have been a huge Josh Groban fan for 6 years now.he is amazing in every performance!has what i believe will be the biggest talent this world will ever hear!his music is gorgeous and so is his voice!his songs are romantic and give hope.its so sad not everyone can see what true talent is!!he is also a wonderful man!fame has not gone to his head!!!its no surprise to me josh recived a standing ovation as he gets them all the time and no one deserves them more!yes i am what you call a grobanite.and i am proud to be!and lets face it he had the number 1 cd of 2007 with noel!so im not wrong!and neither are all of the millions of other fans that josh has!someone who has as much talent as josh deserves to be in the muisc buissness.josh has been quoted as saying NO MATTER WHO WE ARE.NO MATTER WHAT ARE CIRCUMSTANCES,ARE FEELINGS AND AND EMOTIONS ARE UNIVERSAL.AND MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT WAY TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THAT CONNECTION IT CAN HELP YOU OPEN UP A PART OF YOURSELF AND EXPRESS FELLINGS YOU DIDNT KNOW YOU WERE FEELING.ITS RISKY TO LET THAT HAPPEN.BUT ITS A RISK YOU HAVE TO TAKE-BECAUSE ONLY THEN WILL YOU FIND YOURE NOT ALONE.i couldnt have said it better myself!WE LOVE YOU JOSH!mary
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What the hell is this?
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Josh is not "showy". He doesn't show off. He sings with passion and grace and pure honesty. The showy business you speak of are how other other celebrities act. Not Josh Groban. Whenever Josh sings for serious things, he sings because he wants to spead a message. In this case, I say that his voice was the thousands of immigrants then came to America. Within his voice spoke of leaving their homeland, the struggles of boarding the ships, the peaceful want in the world we all crave, and freedom. Josh's voice is beautiful and haunting and his kindness to everyone is immeasurable. Everyone has their own opinion but Josh is not "showy". And that's a fact.
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looks like the josh groban fansite got a whiff of this post
jesus
stereogum readers actually DEFENDING JOSH?
not likely
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GO JOSH you can sing anything with anyone ... and showy I think not! Josh is pure class and beauty.
Heather
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There is no way Groban should ever sing the words "Pittsburgh", "cigarette", or "New Jersey turnpike". What a mess. Welch and her sidekick were definitely the tops.
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welch and grizzly bear were the best in my opinion
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"Bridge Over Troubled Waters" has been a favourite song of mine for... oh, as long as I can remember... and I absolutely LOVED Josh Groban's version of it that night.
You don't need to be a fan to enjoy that breathtaking voice!
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Josh Groban is a very sweet young man, and couldn't be further from being "showy." I will never understand why people rip on Josh with their nasty rude comments. Watch out all you Josh-haters!! The Grobanites are gonna get'cha!!
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this is fucking insane. these people are nutty and likely over 40
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LOL...actually, I'm only 16 years old! And a proud Grobanite!! :D
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The article didn't say Josh was showy; it said he had a showy baritone. Couldn't agree more. Said it wasn't a good fit for America. I think I might agree... and I'm a rabid Grobanite.
Very surprised that Josh did "Silent Eyes" - but I bet he rocked it. And I can't wait to hear BOTW!
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nobody talks shit about los lobos/ the latin playboys while i'm around, goddammit...
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im 32 and not over 40!josh groban is just amazing!and his voice is the best anyone will ever hear!YES US GROBANITES ARE CRAZY!CRAZY FOR JOSH!do yourself a favor buy his cds and you will understand all the talk!better yet go see him in concert he is AMAZING!you really have no clue what you are missing!a beautiful soul with a beautiful voice!
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1. I would never have had Josh Groban singing "America". It was just plain weird to hear such a colloquial song sung so formally. Having said this, his duet with Simon on "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was exquisite.
2. re: "Earlier in the night, Grizzly Bear expertly deconstructed "Mother And Child Reunion" and "Graceland." The lady behind us seemed a bit confused by Chris's "noises".
how does one "expertly deconstruct" anything? i LIKE grizzly bear and *I* was confused by Chris' "noises"... I kept thinking, "why would anyone muddy up two such simple and gorgeous songs?". I honestly thought their versions had some lovely moments, but ended up getting marred rather than enhanced by excess white noise.
-j
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I've only been a fan since Noel came out, but I'm already a well-established Grobanite, and proud of it!!! And I'm far from being over 40!
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I agree that Groban's voice isn't suited to sing the original songs as they were written. They were written for Simon's voice. Josh needs to sing the songs as he thinks they should be song, for his voice. I heard some of his style coming through and that sounds great. My hope is that Simon and Groban will collaborate and come up with a song for Josh's voice. Yes, the contrast b/w Simon's voice and Groban's voice was rather stark!
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The crazy idea that Josh's fans are all over 40 is just that - you guys really shouldn't believe everything you read - or hear. Josh did just what he needed to do with Paul's songs - sing them with his own spin on them. Those are Pauls songs - Josh and the other performers were doing tribute performances. I've read reports that were negative about most of the other artists - many felt they didn't do justice to the songs partly because they WERE performing in their own style. I think everyone should just appreciate this special for what it was and enjoy it. As far as anyone saying the songs were out of the box for Josh - nothing is further from the truth. I've heard them and they were gorgeous, even considering the questionable quality of the downloads. I've always loved hearing him sing America - there are parts with just plain raw emotion coming through in his voice. I hate reading freaky comments like some of these which I'm sure are written by some whos musical taste is very limited and don't have a clue. Nate where do you come from? Why did you have trouble understanding words like, :"Pittsburgh, cigarette and New Jersey Turnpike"? I'm from Chicago and you know what? I don't know whatcher talking about. It would probably be a culture shock to hear YOUR voice! LOL
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i'd like to reiterate, Grobanites are fucking nuts
for proof : read above comments
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Now, THAT was a pithy statement. We Grobanites should all go hang ourselves in shame after being so wittily humiliated.
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This influx of "Grobanites" is pretty hilarious.
I like the Grizzly take on Graceland; very nice. Paul Simon has contributed to the American music scene worthily.
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Loved GB's Mother & Child Reunion - dark, haunting, moving. Graceland - yucky. Did find the constant fiddling with the sound equipment disconcerting. The board should have been set up to be more accessible. Felt like I was in the studio with them.
Groban's Silent Eyes was fantastic. Simple, clean, voice with unique instrumentation to back him up. And, come on, BOTW had to be his.
The Roches were fun with an over-the-top Cecilia, but it got you moving. :)
Wish I had been sipping a drink and sitting in the back of a blues bar for Olu Dara. Simon co-opted 50 Ways the next night and gave it his breezy treatment.
Amos Lee was the epitome of bluesy folk. Totally new to me and blew me away.
But Gillian Welch and David Rawlings were the top bill and deserved it. Lordy, they could work those guitars. Sounds of Silence with Simon was amazing.
Simon rocked the place with Mrs Robinson. Train in the Distance was one of my favorites. I don't think it mattered the age of the listener, you knew these songs. The man is a master, and it was obvious he relished listening to the others.
Lots of standing Os. Friday night there was not a person left sitting at the end. I loved this show, and country/bluegrass/folk is not my favorite stuff. It was a show with texture and soul.
.
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SUNDAY SETLIST:
The Roaches-American Tunes
The Roaches-Another Galaxy
The Roaches-Cecelia
Paul Simon-50 Way to Leave Your Lover
Paul Simon-Mrs. Robinson
Grizzly Bear-Graceland
Grizzly Bear- Mother and Child Reunion
Olu Dara-Slip Slidin’ Away
Olu Dara-Still Crazy After All These Years
Josh Grobin-America
Josh Grobin-Silent Eyes
Josh Grobin w/ Paul Simon-Bridge Over Troubled Water
Amos Lee-Peace Like a River
Amos Lee-Nobody
Amos Lee-Homeward Bound
Gillian Welch/David Rawlings-Gone at Last
Gillian Welch/David Rawlings-Duncan
Gillian Welch/David Rawlings w/ Paul Simon on guitar-Boxer
Gillian Welch/David Rawlings w/ Paul Simon-Sound of Silence
Paul Simon-Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard
Paul Simon-Train in the Distance
Paul Simon-How Can You Live in the Northeast?
e:
Paul Simon w/ the Roaches-The Only Living Boy in New York
Paul Simon-Late in the Evening
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i'm not saying groban doesn't have a beautiful voice and i'm sure he could use that baritone to charm the pants off anyone, 'grobanite' or no, but christ, couldn't he have toned down the vibrato for 'America?' it's paul simon, not Rent.
And I agree, gillian welch & david rawlings were stunning. Does anyone know where there might be mp3s of their "Duncan"? The girl in front of me was definitely recording it..
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"Josh Groban rocks, I would gladly watch a concert of his anyday and I love his version of "America" but I've neverheard the original. But, as everyone has an opinion, I think he's one of the best singers for soft rock/ballads I've heard, and he must think a lot of Paul Simon bc he does his music much justice. Luvya Josh!!
SienaJackson"
groban was literally like nails on a chalkboard last night. sure he has pipes - but he sounds like a pathetic broadway singer - no soul, all cheese. he butchered two of my favorites - america and BOTW. if you like his voice, then i bet you also own severtal cast recordings from broadway shows, and at least one michael bolton cd. the fact that you are extolling josh groban and have never heard the original version of america by simon and garfunkel is just really really sad. seek out the original for how the song is supposed to be done -
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Pathetic. The show was very good indeed - ALL acts. Sour grapes seem to be the rule of thumb for the author of this article. Get a life, buddy, because you really suck at this review thing. lol You post your opinion as if you are someone with "taste" and anyone who has the audacity to disagree with you must be over 40, tone deaf, and definitely lacking a brain. How pathetic is that. We're all critics - some make sense, other critique with their heart being consumed by the green monster called jealousy. If you don't like it, don't listen to it, but let those of us who did enjoy the show do so without being made to feel we are beneath contempt. Paleeze!
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D'uh... why the Groban bashing because his "America" didn't sound like the original? Did any of the performers do their songs a la the original?? No... the were all interpreting Simon's genius in their own styles. That was the point of the show which was one of the finest musical experiences of my life. But bashing an artist is pointless because successful performers are obviously appealing to someone. Bashing one's musical preferences is like a personal attack. There is really enough hating going on in other areas of life. It doesn't need to be injected into the arts.
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D'uh... why the Groban bashing because his "America" didn't sound like the original? Did any of the performers do their songs a la the original?? No... the were all interpreting Simon's genius in their own styles. That was the point of the show which was one of the finest musical experiences of my life. But bashing an artist is pointless because successful performers are obviously appealing to someone. Bashing one's musical preferences is like a personal attack. There is really enough hating going on in other areas of life. It doesn't need to be injected into the arts.
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I love these wonderful, lively exchanges regarding Josh Groban here and elsewhere. For me, they bring to light deepseated prejudices based on age and gender held by many in the music industry. And frequently, reviews about any music artist are no more than personal attacks against the artist, name calling, and cyber bullying, with no real understanding of the performance. If Groban's fans point out these flaws, good for them. The entire industry my just have to make room for something bigger than it.
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Deep sigh. Die-hard Grobanites and Groban-haters are flip sides of the same coin.
Grobies: Get it through your heads and thin skin:, the very point of existence for music blogs like these is precisely to ridicule singers like Groban and all things deemed unhip and mainstream. It's a lazy attempt to establish musical cred, and every 15-year old wanna be with a zine published in his parents' basement does the same. Stop knee-jerk reacting to this stuff and maybe it will, if not go away, be less trite and predictable.
As to the haters, do try harder. Simon's genius has always been his ability to collaborate in unexpected ways. Don't attempt to critique his efforts to do so if you're unwilling to open your minds to new ideas.
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Good points, Liz. You've brought up some thoughtful ideas. Is musical cred what this psuedo-review is all about? An education might be more helpful. And yet, I see the same type of ridicule, perhaps not so obviously condescending, in "mainstream" media. What are your thoughts?
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you realize you are all having a conversation with yourselves right?
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Every time there's a post about old, tired people, shit like this happens in the comments field. If Stereogum ever posted about Thomas Kinkade paintings, they wouldn't have enough bandwith to cover the responses.
Someone needs to slay the GrobaBubleCelli hydra before it destroys a major city.
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On behalf of the non-terminally insane fans of Josh Groban, I must apologize. I'm afraid that this happens whenever someone so much as looks crosseyed at the man. (I'm pretty sure he doesn't need his fans defending him. He's a big boy; should he deem it necessary, I'm pretty sure he can handle it his own damn self.)
Please, for the love of Pete, Grobanites - please remember that it is actually okay for other people to have dissenting opinions. Hell, I'm a fan, and while I loved his cover of "America", I can't listen to his cover of Don McLean's "Vincent". And "You Are Loved" damn near puts me in a diabetic coma (and I'm not even diabetic!)
Quit this kind of useless shit, go back to your lives, and let these people discuss whether or not the myriad performances in the show that is being discussed are good or not without being overprotective.
Once again, regulars to this blog - Josh's sane fans apologize. We hate this kind of crap just as much as you do.
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