Recorded live in Central Park, New York, New York August 15, 1991.
Simon's 1991 free concert in New York's Central Park was something of a homecoming for the Queens-born singer-songwriter. Several years earlier, his Central Park concert with erstwhile partner Art Garfunkel made the news not just in New York, but all over the world, quickly turning into the stuff of legend. By the '90s, Simon had become a cross-cultural pop pioneer, via the South African sounds of GRACELAND and the Brazilian rhythms of RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS. Along the way, he proved that his musical legacy was a continually unfolding one, with no end yet in sight.
Captured here for posterity, the CONCERT IN THE PARK is essentially a tour through the various phases of his career, from the folkie beginnings of "Sounds Of Silence" through '70s pop hits like "Kodachrome" and his more daring later work. Simon is accompanied by an astounding band that brings together New York studio vets, South African musicians and a Brazilian percussion group, and the result is an elegant, panoramic, cross-cultural sound. Simon's older material is reinterpreted and successfully redefined in the process.
Personnel: Paul Simon (vocals, guitar); Vincent Nguini, Ray Phiri, John Selolwane (guitar); Michael Brecker (saxophone, EWI); Barney Rachabane (saxophone, pennywhistle); Tony Cedras (accordion, keyboards); Chris Botti (trumpet); Richard Tee (keyboards); Steve Gadd (drums); Sidinho Moreira, Mingo Araujo, Cyro Baptista, Dom Chacal (percussion); Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, Briz (vocals).
Engineers: Roy Halee, Stacey Foster, Jay Vicari, Rich Travali.
Entertainment Weekly (11/22/91) - "..elegant renditions of his old songs and rhythmically turbocharged new ones.." - Rating: A
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