Q: Tell me about the process
of working with other band
members. Do you get
to improvise much or at all?

A: The music is all worked out collaboratively (but under Paul's direction) over several weeks of intensive rehearsal. It's composed
but not notated, just like gamelan,
and everything is open to revision
and negotiation. Even tunes with
classic horn lines like Late in the Evening or Call Me Al might get transformed and altered. Musically,
this was incredibly compelling, spending hours working with
musicians like Steve Gadd and
Bakithi Kumalo, working out ways
to reinvigorate music that I've loved
for years and years -- or just leaving
it as it is if it's working. This was
a peak musical experience, even
if my own parts aren't exactly the
center of attention. Within that,
I've of course brought my own
sensibility and interests to the
table, not for their own sake
but because that's just how I think
about music. So there are
saxophone lines based on pygmy hocketing,bass clarinet melodies
based on Indian drones, some multiphonics, even some
good old four-part chorale
writing in a couple of the tunes.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice

*A version of this article appeared
in MIT Tech Talk on November 15, 2000.

Steve Gadd on new album and tour with Paul Simon!

On May 9, Warner Bros. Records released "Surprise,"
the new studio album by Paul Simon and his first release since 2000. Produced by Simon, and in collaboration with Brian Eno, the album contains some of Simon's best songwriting and performances since the "Graceland" album.

Says Paul Simon: "Working with Brian Eno opens the door to a world of sonic possibilities; plus he's just a great guy to hang with in the studio, or for that matter in life. I had a really good time."

"Surprise" features Simon's masterful voice, and showcases some of his finest guitar work to date. Augmented by Eno's innovative soundscapes,
"Surprise" includes contributions from musicians including Steve Gadd, Herbie Hancock, and Bill Frisell.

"Surprise" was mixed by Tchad Blake, and recorded at Eno's studio in London as well as studios in New York and Nashville. The album features 11 songs, including the previously Oscar-nominated "Father And Daughter."

Paul Simon has already confirmed his first appearance for the new album: he and his band will cap off the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with a headlining show at the Acura stage on Sunday, May 7th. He is also scheduled to appear on Saturday Night Live May 13th. Tour plans are currently in the works for both summer and fall, please check paulsimon.com for announcements and details.


The song titles to "Surprise" are:

1. How Can You Live In The Northeast
2. Everything About It Is A Love Song
3. Outrageous
4. Sure Don't Feel Like Love
5. Wartime Prayers
6. Beautiful
7. I Don't Believe
8. Another Galaxy
9. Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean
10. That's Me
11. Father And Daughter

In the next couple weeks we'll be adding more songs, interviews, and tour dates. Be sure to check back often to see the new Paulsimon.com.

"Steve Gadd, perhaps the best studio drummer over the last thirty five years and proves why he still is the best on this CD."
-Amazon.com

"Such boldness is just what Simon needed as he prepared to record his 10th studio album with a typically classy group of musicians, including pianist Herbie Hancock, guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Steve Gadd."
-Topix.net

"Rock legend Paul Simon -- and four-time "SNL" host -- returns to "SNL" with Steve Gadd on drums for the record seventh time as musical guest. Simon's last appearance was his poignant performance of "The Boxer," opening "SNL's" first show after September 11, 2001. Simon returns to perform songs from his new record "Surprise" which teams Simon with producer Brian Eno, which many are saying, contains some of Simon's best songwriting and performances since his seminal "Graceland" album."
-VH1.com

"At first, the pairing of sensitive songwriter Paul Simon with experimental musician Brian Eno would appear odd to some people. However, this unusual pairing actually brings out the best in both parties. On SURPRISE, Paul sounds animated, while Brian Eno's creative use of electronic "sonic landscapes" enhance the thought-provoking songs presented here, along with great guest appearances by jazz/fusion legends Herbie Hancock and Bill Frissell.

Highlights on this stellar set include the humourous "Outrageous", the political "Sure Don't Feel Like Love", "Father and Daughter" and the interestingly-titled "Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean". But SURPRISE is actually one of those albums that deserves to be played all the way through to really appreciate two masters at the top of their game."
-Amazon.com

Paul Simon with Steve Gadd on GMA 5.12.06
*Special thanks for photo by Ed Luisa

September 11, 2006 03:56 PM
by Jeremy Reed
Citysearch.com

As the late-September launch of his fall tour nears, singer/songwriter Paul Simon (tickets | music) has penciled in several more dates for the outing, which backs his first new album in six years, "Surprise."
New since last count is a September stop in Portland, OR, and October performances in Toronto, New York City, Boston and Philadelphia; those shows, as well as
a number of previously announced stops, will feature
The Jerry Douglas Band in the opening slot. Details are included in the itinerary below.

In May, Simon offered up "Surprise," an 11-song
album he co-produced with Brian Eno (Roxy Music,
David Bowie). Simon and Eno also co-wrote three of the new songs. Guests who appear on the set include
Steve Gadd, Herbie Hancock and Bill Frisell.

Simon recorded the disc at Eno's studio in London,
as well as at studios in New York and Nashville. The
set includes the Oscar-nominated track "Father and Daughter," which first turned up on the 2002
soundtrack for the film "The Wild Thornberrys."
The full track listing is posted at Simon's website.

Last month, Rhino Records issued "From the Big Apple to The Big Easy," a DVD that captures a September 2005 Hurricane Katrina benefit concert that took place at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Simon is among the acts featured on the disc; he and Art Garfunkel perform "Mrs. Robinson and "Homeward Bound" together before teaming with Aaron Neville for "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Simon also performs with
Jimmy Buffett on "Sea Cruise.".

All of the proceeds from the DVD will benefit a number of charities nvolved in hurricane relief, including the Simon-founded Children's Health Fund, additional information about which is available at Simon's website.

Steve and Emeril Lagasse on Good Morning America 5.12.06
*Special thanks for photo by Ed Luisa

Steve's kit on Good Morning America 5.12.06
*Special thanks for photo by Ed Luisa

Steve's on Good Morning America 5.12.06
*Special thanks for photo by Ed Luisa

Sundance Unveils Latest Iconoclasts
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/2/2006 8:02:00 AM

TV network Sundance has announced the pairings for the second season of
its Iconoclasts series. The hour show, which debuts its new round Oct. 26, pairs
two leaders, mostly from different fields, to talk about their respective passions
("mostly" because last season included the pairing of channel founder
Robert Redford and pal Paul Newman).

The new twosomes include singer and multiple-time Saturday Night Live
host Paul Simon and SNL producer Lorne Michaels; comedian Dave
Chappelle and poet Maya Angelou; and filmmaker
Quentin Tarantino and singer Fiona Apple.

The show is from Sundance and Grey Goose Entertainment.
http://www.topix.net/who/paul-simon

Paul Simon and Steve on GMA 5.12.06
*Special thanks for photos by Ed Luisa


Paul Simon launched his 2006 summer tour with a show in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday night. Here's the setlist from the first night of the tour:

Gumboots
The Boy In The Bubble
Outrageous
Slip Slidin' Away
You're The One
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
How Can You Live In The Northeast?
The Only Living Boy In New York
Mrs. Robinson
Loves Me Like A Rock
That Was Your Mother
Duncan
Graceland
Father And Daughter
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
Still Crazy After All These Years
Cecilia

Encore:
The Boxer
You Can Call Me Al

Second Encore:
Wartime Prayers

Steve gives an autograph 5.12.06
*Special thanks for photo by Ed Luisa