An evening of pure magic unfolded at the Troubadour on Saturday night as the Americana Music Association paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon. The event was a prelude to the Grammy Awards, where Simon was nominated for best folk album. The lineup featured an impressive roster of Grammy nominees and top-notch artists who poured their hearts into celebrating the poet laureate of our time.
A Mount Rushmore of Music
Rodney Crowell, one of the singer-songwriter greats present that night, compared Simon’s stature in the music world to the iconic faces on Mount Rushmore. “There’s some people I listen to their music for entertainment, which I do for Paul, too, but he’s one that I listen to for education. Because there’s a lot to be learned there, constantly. I don’t want to be like him, but I want to access what he accesses to do what I do. So it’s almost like a meditation, to pay attention. And he just gets better.”
A Stellar Lineup
The stage was graced by an array of incredible talents, including Jackson Browne, Jason Isbell, and Rodney Crowell. Each artist brought their unique touch to Simon’s songs, showcasing the breadth and depth of his influence. The tribute also featured Latin music stars Gaby Moreno, Natalia Lafourcade, and Silvana Estrada, adding a fresh and captivating twist to Simon’s music and underscoring the global impact of his work.
Diverse and Powerful Performances
The evening was filled with remarkable performances that spanned multiple genres and showcased the versatility of Simon’s compositions. Blind Boys of Alabama’s rendition of “Loves Me Like a Rock” set the stage on fire, while Ruthie Foster and Bobby Rush offered soulful and bluesy interpretations of “Slip Slidin’ Away” and “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” Rufus Wainwright’s moving rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” left the audience in awe, and Dwight Yoakam’s unique take on “The Boxer” showcased his extraordinary talent.
The Perfect Tribute
This Americana Music Association tribute to Paul Simon was nothing short of extraordinary. The careful curation of the lineup, the passion infused into each performance, and the undeniable impact of Simon’s timeless music made it a truly unforgettable night. As Jackson Browne aptly put it, “His melodies and his grasp with the language are just unparalleled, you know? But he creates and inhabits characters that he can speak from. He doesn’t talk down and none of his characters are hokey. I think there’s just a vulnerability in his voice and his singing and his approach that belies his intellect.”
To experience the magic of the evening, check out the full setlist here. And if you’re hungry for more music news and updates, visit F5mag.com.