#4807, Paul Simon Presents Seven Psalms - the Fundraiser Special

Paul Simon has made a career of upending expectations, and the results have included some of his most consequential works: from the Jamaican and Latin tinge in his first solo album in 1972, to Graceland with its South African sounds, and his Brazilian sojourn on The Rhythm Of The Saints, both in the 80s. Then there was his recent 2016 album, Stranger to Stranger, which mined the microtonal sound world of American iconoclast composer Harry Partch. In 2023, he released Seven Psalms, a guitar-based song cycle of musings on life and death, faith and technology. 

In this special show for our fall fundraiser, Paul Simon joins John to present Seven Psalms, and explains the adapted instruments and textures involved. The work began as acoustic guitar pieces in 2019, and reaches back to the very genesis of folk music: King David’s Psalms, which were meant to be sung, not spoken. The result is a quietly moving musical experience which uncovers subtleties upon each listen, (Pioneer Works.) Plus, hear Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi perform Paul Simon's tune, "American Tune", from the Ojai festival 2023.