Paul Simon Stops By The Colbert Report
Mr. Simon continued being awesome with a stop over at Stephen Colbert's place last night. Paul was on hand to promote his new book Lyrics 1964-2008, a title which Colbert deemed utterly unpoetic (his suggestion: Word Salad Jazzmatron). Simon's stay spanned two segments. The first had Stephen ask Simon to defend some of his hippie-era lyrics, explain what exactly Julio was doing down by the schoolyard, and why Paul needed to walk out on Cecilia to wash his face. ("Well it was the '60s so I don't remember.") After wits were traded, Paul performed "American Tune," with the stars of the flag and the city skyline hanging behind him. Utterly poetic.
A frank discussion about the book Stephen would have called Word Salad Jazzmatron:
Here's "American Tune."
Posted at 1:51 PM by amrit in Video
Tags: Paul Simon | Stephen Colbert
I fucking love Paul Simon, Colbert is such a douche
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The douchiness is a character, that's the point. Watching the way he introduces his musical guests, he's totally serious and respectful.
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this was excellent
plus colbert doesnt have very many musical guests so you know he respects paul simon
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brilliant
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americantune without Artie Garfunkel.... That sadness! Paul, , think please!
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Paul Simon wrote this song in his solo career, so why does he have to think about singing it with Art Garfunkel. In fact, why does he have to think at all to sing with Art Garfunkel? Paul Simon is solo so much better!
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Points of view. It is better about what? Until 1970 Paul wrote all his songs but has sung with Garfunkel... so is born the magic of the Duo and the huge success that has given the basis of its career solo.
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He is a genius. America's poet
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I think his point was that this song was written after the demise of Simon and Garfunkel and was recorded without said Garfunkel.
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It's right:this song was written after the demise of Simon and Garfunkel ...But it has been sung with Garfunkel in Concert in Central Park and in the tour Old friend and recorded in both (CD and DVD). Paul Simon is a great, a creator of masterpieces... but has a short memory.
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Tell me Anne if you were alive before 1970 would you like to still be stuck there doing the same thing over and over. I doubt it! Artie is lucky that he met Paul and could then live off what he had achieved in his 20's right up til his 60's. Paul, on the otherhand, would have been successful either way (his career in Britain for example) and is still achieving. Time to move on girl:)
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Scaaty you are you? The actual scaaty? Thank you for reply. Listen to me: who find a friend find a treasure. But who loses a friend lost a treasure.Yes, Artie is lucky that he met you and could then live off what he had achieved in his 20's right up til his 60's. But he has always desired a single thing, his friend you look at in his eyes and say: you are a great. Together we have built our luck. I am with my creativity, my genius, my work, you with your beauty, your extraordinary voice, your commitment and with the support that you gave me for many years. Our voices together have been more than the sum of two voces. They have created an unforgettable harmony, that remains in the minds and hearts of so many people. It is true, the life continues, but it is not just cancel the beauty to find a beauty different.
Intended full recognition of your creative genius? Now you have obtained.
It is high time to create still rediscovering the real feelings, knoted the thread of life that continues, after having passed the selfishness which can destroy another human being and removes the people, the joy to hear the things that need.
If you're not the true scaaty, I ask forgiveness. I hope that the actual scaaty read these post and decides to give the world a gift, in exchange for the gift received.
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In response to Colbert being a "Douche", it's totally an act, and I'm sure like with almost every talk show, Colbert meets with the artist/guests and goes over the interview prior to filming. Colbert's humor is rude and full of "douch-bagery" and that's the point!
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I am not an american, and I'm not even in America..Enjoyed the show, thought the chat before the song was great, LOVED the SONG! Garfunkle or not. Would love to hear them do it together, though.
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Colbert is such a disgrace. We had a potential opportunity to hear some insight about song writing from one of this country's most iconic singer/songwriters, but instead we get Paul Simon defending retarded comments and failed jokes from this douche bag.
I know it's his character but it's a shame he won't break character even for a second to somehow spark up just a little something intelligent.
What's even more sad is that people in this country find this shit to be funny.
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sorry Anne, I am a just a life long fan of Paul Simon that feels he doesn't get the full recognition he deserves ( thats given to say Bob Dylan) because many people inc fans just associate him with the hippy 60s and the sweet melodies that have now become elevator music. Art garfunkle still represents this type of music (OK in its place) but Paul Simon has gone on to make more deeper and meaningful ( and probably less accessible) music.
Basically we're talking about art versus pop
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Thank you for the reply, Scaaty. You are a pleasant people In my opinion we're talking about Paul versus Paul. If I might say, is limitative defined "hippy" the songs that Paul wrote and sang since the 1960s to the 1970s. The personality of Paul is complex, rich of creativity, but self centered. In the S & G period he expresses his uneasiness , its fears, its affection, in a word his sentiments. Equally in continuum of his career : change only the ways of expressing them, the sounds, inspired by the word music and the refined metaphors But the world of Paul does not change: it is always "his" world. Also I love this world and the voice quiet dense and expressive of this little man.
But I cannot forget his face and his voice young, twisted the crystalline voice of Artie.
In the month of August last I listened a concert of Paul Simon in Taormina and in the month of October last a concert of Art Garfunkel to Odense.
The public has clapping both, but it would be mad if they had sung together.
A small gift for you : in YouTube >> Search >> Paul Simon - Taormina - 2008 - The Only Living Boy In NY >> Click More info You can download the entire audio show .
Always in YouTube >> Search >> Art Garfunkel October 13 2008 (Pag.5) and Art Garfunkel in Den Haag ( Pag 7) AUDIO ONLY - Art Garfunkel Mainz Bridge Over Troubled Water Scrolling down the clip you should find small pieces of the last concerts.
So I composed S & G in my ears and in my mind.
I have spent a lot of money... if the two return together I could at least save my money!!!!
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So this is really about you, Anne who lives in her own world and wants to save some money. Being a fan means more than have it your way. A good fan follows the artists in their own career. Sorry, but you have to accept that the S&G days are over.
Have a nice day and enjoy the music.
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Sorry, Marion, my line about the money It was just a joke. S & G days are over ? Mhh, please note that Paul has chosen to sing The only living boy in New York - by wearing the famous tie as Artie (The Barnes & Noble interview by Katherine Lanpher ) and Americantune to promote his new book Lyrics 1964-2008. Maybe he search understand which could be the thread right to continue in their own career. Its creative periods all belong to the past. He must only have to choose which of them can enhance and continue . So you have a nice day and good music.
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Hi Anne,
If you listen carefully to Paul at the B&N interview you here him say that at interviews where he is alone with his guitar he plays the early songs because they are simple to play. So playing The Only Living Boy and wearing a tie has nothing to do with thinking about reuniting with Art again. I have seen pictures of Paul wearing a tie similar as he did now in the eighties. How much as you want them back together, in reality it won't happen. Paul will stay solo because nowadays he is more interested in writing more complex songs for a smaller audience, who like him are interested in more complex melodies, different guitar parts, songs that give a lot of musical information.
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Also American Tune as pointed out earlier is a Paul Simon solo song. At the last S&G concert Paul sang it alone.
Only Living boy in New York was a farewell song to Artie, as were with So Long Frank LLyodd Wright and Overs,
Artie's tie was a thin leather tie that was popular in the early '80's worn with a leather waist coat and loose white shirt. Pauls outfit is one of an author plugging his book. Don't be trying to read your own fantasy into these things.
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I decided to intervene once more about the inner world of Paul Simon. First, though, I read a great interview to Playboy, in which Paul Simon speaks with great sincerity of what inspires his works, his moments of crisis, happiness and unhappiness, his relationship with Garfunkel. I think that Paul could now repeat the things he said 25 years ago, even though today is at the stage of "Love in hard time." Perhaps today he is pleased to receive many awards as a songwriter sublime, is happy to have a beautiful family and an enviable economic position. But perhaps all these certainties will not help to find new road for his creativity. He plays some bitter his obsession to cancel the S & G, for fear of giving some credit to his ex-partners. In my opinion, his fans should fears: nothing and nobody can overshadow its merits .... But why take away the joy for fans to follow the river of his creativity to start from the sources? I think that a creator can not choose his target coldly. Likely to remain just dry up and along the banks of a cool, cool river.
If you want, read:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/21/simonandgarfunkelpopandrock)QUOTE :Paul Simon's songs are full of aloneness, of separations from places and people, whether from wives, lovers, girlfriends or Garfunkel - Laura Barton guardian.co.uk, Friday November 21 2008 00.01 GMT.
And here is: Playboy Interview : Paul Simon, By Tony Schwartz, 1984 http://willybrauch.de/In_Their_Own_Words/paulsimon1.htm
And finally, two clips of Americantune with the performance of the duo:
Concert Central Park 1981 http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=NsmEfWPvWWw
Old friend tour 2003-2004 http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=7K5jpWQpiFI
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I don't know what you are trying to say? Paul Simon is not bitter anymore. Have you seen the whole Old Friends DVD, where Paul gives credit to his partner Art Garfunkel? Paul Simon is allowed to choose his own career, he wants to stay solo, he is certainly not dryed up. The songs never came fast to him and now perhaps even more slow, but who cares, as long as he enjoys writing songs he should do that.
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In respect of mutual views hope to Paul Simon to create soon of us new great songs. Good music to all!
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there is something incredibly profound in how Paul Simon sang "American Tune" on the Colbert Report. It was like listening to Johnny Cash singing "Hurt" in his later years. I've watched and listened to it over and over. There's so much depth there...something that we probably miss when we're younger....this sounded, smelled, and tasted like an fine wine that onl get's better with age. I can't wait for a new Paul Simon album...he is only going to get better,
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i feel colbert completly disrespected paul simon... he is an icon. i'm only 24 and he was way before my time, but good god his songs are stories how could you even talk to him like that and question his music. it hurt my feelings. his expressions through out the interview hurt me i felt he saw his music being moched. fuck you colbert
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