Description
Paul Simon – The Concert In Hyde Park – Double Compact Discs and Blue-Ray
The Concert in Hyde Park is a live album by Paul Simon, documenting his performance at the Hard Rock Calling festival in London’s Hyde Park in 2012. The concert took place during Simon’s tour supporting his album So Beautiful or So What and was part of a major summer event that brought together thousands of fans in one of London’s most historic outdoor venues. The performance captures Simon revisiting songs from across his long career, blending material from his solo work with classics from his time in Simon & Garfunkel.
The setlist reflects the remarkable breadth of Simon’s songwriting career. Songs such as “The Sound of Silence,” “The Boxer,” and “Mrs. Robinson” represent the enduring legacy of Simon & Garfunkel, while solo-era favorites like “Graceland,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” and “Kodachrome” showcase the diverse musical directions Simon explored after the duo’s breakup. The performance highlights his ability to move seamlessly between folk, rock, pop, and world music influences, often within the same concert.
The band supporting Simon plays a major role in bringing these songs to life on stage. The arrangements draw from the rich textures of Simon’s studio recordings, including the African and global rhythms that became central to albums like Graceland. Percussion, horns, guitars, and layered vocal harmonies combine to recreate the vibrant sound that has defined much of Simon’s later work. The musicianship throughout the performance emphasizes both precision and warmth, allowing familiar songs to feel fresh in a live setting.
Paul Simon’s vocal delivery during the concert carries a reflective tone that suits the retrospective nature of the setlist. Rather than simply reproducing the original recordings, he often approaches the songs with subtle variations that reflect the experience and perspective gained over decades of performing. The atmosphere of Hyde Park, with its large open-air crowd, adds a celebratory feeling to the performance, turning the concert into a kind of career-spanning tribute.
The Concert in Hyde Park functions as a live overview of his enduring influence as a songwriter and performer. The album captures a moment when decades of music—from the folk revival of the 1960s through the global influences of his later work—come together in a single performance. It highlights the timeless quality of his songs and the continued ability of those songs to connect with audiences across generations.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Kodachrome
Gone At Last
Dazzling Blue
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Vietnam
Mother And Child Reunion
That Was Your Mother
Hearts And Bones / Mystery Train / Wheels
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
Slip Slidin’ Away
The Obvious Child
Introduction
Homeless
Paul Introduces Graceland Band
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
I Know What I Know
The Boy In The Bubble
Crazy Love, Vol. II
Gumboots
Under African Skies
Graceland
You Can Call Me Al
The Sound Of Silence
The Boxer
Late In The Evening
Paul Introduces Band & Thank You
Still Crazy After All These Years
