The Fighter Still Remains: Paul Simon Brings A Quiet Celebration to the Paramount

Going into Paul Simon's first performance of his three-show residency at the Paramount Theatre, it was difficult to know what to expect. The legendary singer-songwriter had officially announced his retirement from touring in 2018. Now 83 and struggling with significant hearing loss in his left ear, Simon is back on the road — and online chatter concerning the troubadour's tour has offered a spirited mix of opinions.

Any of my concerns regarding the musician's abilities were quickly allayed: Simon, along with his wife, Edie Brickell, and his eleven-piece backing band, put on an intimate, contemplative and, at times, joyous celebration of his celebrated work. Like a dear old friend who hasn't been seen in a while, the living legend reminded the audience why his songs are a cherished part of the great American songbook.

The evening began with a soothingly introspective rendering of his most recent creative release, Seven Psalms, which came out in May 2023 and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. Psalms, which includes a grouping of seven acoustic passages that are performed as a seamless whole, is a meditation on topics including god, love and the inevitable movement of time. The collection of musical vignettes includes a couple of duets with Brickell, an accomplished popular singer and Simon's spouse of more than thirty years, who loaned her gorgeously nuanced voice to a few songs throughout the evening. Brickell brings much to the mix, complementing her husband's work while soaring to her own artistic heights.

While many in attendance might have come in anticipation of the evening's second set, which served up a healthy dose of the legendary hits that define Simon's fame, it was a welcome revelation to see that the artist in Simon is still strong, as evinced by his more subtle though poetic work in Psalms.

The A Quiet Celebration Tour, which began in New Orleans earlier this month, focuses on intimate venues. The stage at the comfortably classic Paramount was stuffed with an impressive array of musicians and a variety of instruments, and the venue felt right for the event. The enthusiastic crowd repeatedly demonstrated its delight to be in the presence of one of the most critically acclaimed songwriters in the history of popular music. A cry of "Thank you, Paul!" rang out on a few occasions over the course of the show. Simon holds sixteen Grammys and his albums have sold tens of millions of copies over the length of his career, which has spanned more than sixty years.

After slipping out of a more polished outfit that included a sport coat, Simon returned to the stage after intermission clad in a casual purple zip-up jacket and baseball cap to entertain the crowd with an inspiring blend of wistful classics and jubilant singalongs. While his voice is that of a singer in his later years, it underscored Simon's humanity. It was an inspiration to hear him on songs including "Graceland," "Slip Slidin' Away," “Homeward Bound,” “Under African Skies" "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover," "Mother and Child Reunion," a boisterously crowd-pleasing version of "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," "The Boxer" and the powerfully moving finale, a solo acoustic version of  "The Sound of Silence." Simon included a few lesser-acclaimed numbers that are deserving of attention, too, including "Train in the Distance," "The Late Great Johnny Ace," "Spirit Voices" and "Rene and George Magritte and their Dog After the War."

Between tunes, Simon offered amusing asides about his career and interesting tidbits about his much-loved material. His low-key charm and infectious spirituality permeated the performance. As a guitar player, it was intriguing to see that Simon's chops on the six-string were very much on point, as he closed out a few numbers on his black Martin acoustic, skillfully swapping licks with his accomplished axe-slinging sidemen.

Paul Simon's A Quiet Celebration highlighted that artistry is not confined by age and that music is always good medicine.

Paul Simon's A Quiet Celebration tour continues at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, and 8 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place. Get ticket info at ticketmaster.