Paul Simon - You're the One (2001)

After exploring world music in the '80s and tackling an ambitious if ultimately unsuccessful Broadway musical in the '90s, Paul Simon resurfaced in 2000 with a deceptively "modest" studio album. You're the One tabled overarching cultural or narrative agendas to return to Simon's early strengths as an archetypal singer-songwriter, a path followed on this superb video concert, which echoes its studio counterpart's back-to-basics approach while mirroring the impact of those larger-scaled projects.

In concert, the newest songs stand alone thematically, yet Simon's long pilgrimage through Third World music now elicits utterly natural, multicultural accents. On songs such as the opening mission statement, "That's Where I Belong," as well as "The Teacher" and "Darling Lorraine," Simon flexes polyrhythmic nuances that measure how completely his music now fuses its familiar folk-rock origins with the more elastic influences gathered from Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. That achievement seems effortless, thanks to his remarkable 11-piece stage band, which likewise reflects Simon's musical diaspora through its multinational makeup.

As the show's front man, Simon proves more relaxed and playful than was often the case earlier in his career. Whether illustrating key lyrics with exaggerated hand gestures, or pulling rank with a deadpan delivery of "Old" (his funny, unapologetic look at the other side of the generation gap), Simon radiates authority. The song list manages to capture all of the new album's highlights (especially the brilliant, tragi-comic "Darling Lorraine") with ample room for solid new versions of earlier solo songs and Simon & Garfunkel hits. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com

One of the greatest live shows ever captured on video

While you have to be there in order to experience the true power of a live show, this comes about as close as you're going to get.
This was filmed during the tour Simon did between '99 and 2000, and to say he's in fine form would be an understatement.

Simon has often made references to the Beatles, and even played with Paul McCartney not so long ago. I recently saw Paul McCartney, and while it was a great show, it didn't come close to the excitement Paul Simon whips up. He uses no less than three drummers, plus African percussion to anchor the rhythm. Then he adds between two and three electric guitars on top of his acoustic guitar. The effect is literally mind boggling. I was fortunate enough to see this tour when he did the US with Dylan. As great as Dylan was during that tour, I'd have to say Simon stole the show. The real beauty of this concert is that it showcases how a musician can take songs that started out one way, throw them sideways, and the rearranged version sounds even better than the original. If you're open to the idea of an artist massaging his own work a little differently, you will not regret buying this DVD. September 26, 2005

Still Got It!

Paul Simon's voice has lost a little of its clarity and range with the passing years. His songs, however, seem to grow ever more powerful. He tours with a spectacularly talented band, and he is still a great performer. This October 2000 concert is a triumph. I found "Pledging My Love" to be a particularly effective introduction to "The Late Great Johnny Ace."

The DVD features stereo, Dolby 5.1 and DTS audio tracks. The video is enhanced for widescreen TVs.

Recommended. January 19, 2005

highly recommended

There are many great moments in this concert and the music is always good, with Simon and an eleven-piece band cooking away. The musicians obviously love playing Simon's music and there are some special highlights such as the percussion duel that segues "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" into "You Can Call Me Al" (the latter featuring a double dose of that funky bass guitar coda); a trio of early S&G tunes finishing with a great version of "I Am a Rock" and a sing-along version of "The Boxer". Simon also bravely tackles "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (written specifically for Garfunkel's much more powerful vocal abilities) but sadly, there is only one song from the underrated "Rhythm of the Saints" (And if anyone knows if there's a DVD version of Simon performing "The Cool, Cool River" at The Grammys, please post that info here!!).
All in all, highly recommended.
January 7, 2005

A Great Performance from a Great Artist

I have read a lot of the reviews here. It's true, if you want a true regurgitation of the way these songs appeared on the albums, you should skip this. However, if you understand that music is an organic entity that should change and evolve and you recognize Paul Simon for the songwriting genius he is, this DVD is for you. Here Simon has surrounded himself with a whole band of top notch musicians who seem very pleased to be performing with a legend. The lead guitar player is particularly fine, doubling on cello, banjo, mandolin and others. Sure the songs sound different but there are many amazing performances of favourites along with spirited renditions of songs which appears on the underappreciated "You're the One". Here "I am a Rock" is a particularly cool new version of the song recorded by S & G all those years ago. I love this DVD and I can't wait for Paul & Artie's new DVD on the Old Friends concert. It was an honour seeing them here in Toronto last fall June 14, 2004

Great songs!

This concert has a very well balanced setlist with songs from all the different periods of Paul Simon's carreer. But be careful: do not expect a great production like "The Concert In The Park" with thousands of people watching. This is an intimate show and throughout the concert Paul behaves as if he's rejoining old friends. Many times he goes to the first rows of the audience and shake hands with people, showing how he is simple and humble.

A great feature of this musical DVD, is the subtitles with lyrics to all songs. This is especially valuable for all of you to whom english is not the mother language.

The only reason for not giving 5 stars is the awful versions of "Kodachrome" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". For me, there's no problem about making different versions of a song, if they change the song for better. However, in my opinion, not only these two songs are almost unrecognizable (except for the lyrics) but also they do not sound half as good as the original ones or the live versions from Paul Simon's "The Concert In The Park". Of course those die-hard fans of Paul Simon will always find that most of the songs had already better versions recorded but overall I think they always sound good.

In conclusion, those who like the solo career of Paul Simon will like this concert. Those who prefer the Simon & Garfunkel duo might feel a little disappointed and miss "Mrs. Robinson" or "Sounds Of Silence". However, the open minded might feel surprised by the quality of his solo songs, particulary "Graceland", "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes", "You Can Call Me Al" and "Darling Lorraine". June 2, 2004

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