Big Apple Music Scene

Under African Skies with Paul Simon

by dklein on April 15th, 2008

Paul Simon’s monthlong BAM residence took on the theme of Under African Skies this weekend. Joining him were Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Vusi Mahlasela, Kaissa, David Byrne, Luciana Souza, and Cyro Baptista on percussion. The show began with Ladysmith Black Mambazo doing a couple  a cappella original tunes, and then they launched into “The Boy in the Bubble” with the full backing band. From there, different singers took turns covering Simon’s songs, sometimes he sang with them and sometimes not. He sang only a handful of songs himself, including a stellar “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” and “Graceland.” David Byrne did an excellent rendition of “I Know What I Know” and then launched into “You Can Call Me Al.” While part of me was itching to hear Simon sing that himself, or at least duet with Byrne, there is no one better to cover that Talking Heads-esque song and Byrne did an excellent job.

All Images: Devorah Klein

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