Rating: 
Summary: For amateur audiophiles
Review: A couple reviewers dogged on the sound quality of this dvd and I put their review to the test. My guess is that their systems were like this: they had the dvd in surround sound with perhaps one of those $500 surround sound kits. First off, make sure the sound is coming from the two front speakers only. Its a music dvd, therefore it should be heard through the front speakers only, just like a cd. I noticed in surround, most of the sound came from the center channel, similar to a movie, which limited the sound's depth immensely. I can't stress that point enough. I also can't say enough on how much I can't stand those surround sound kits. We don't know if those other reviewers had a surround kit, however, I can testify that my system is geared primarily for music, not movies. Onto the sound...the bass is clearly more prominent here than in Paul's concert in central park in 1990. This can be seen as good or bad, depending on your taste. However, nowhere did the bass sound muddy, even at very high volumes. Also, since the two venues the dvd was recorded in are much smaller than central park, more subtle percussion sounds really come alive on this recording. By the way, Paul's band uses lots of percussion in this dvd! With all that said, the horns really blew me away. Such a rich sound and packs a tremendous punch; listen to Hurricane Eye, you'll see. My only complaint is the Paul's mic level. Seemed like the volume was too high at times for my own taste. Overall, I thought it sounded great on my system, but keep in mind, if your speakers are geared for surround sound, you may disagree. ts
Rating: 
Summary: This is the One.
Review: Add this to your collection. Make it one of the first ones. You'll remember why after you've heard many others. This is the one you'll go back to again and again. It has it all. I believe Paul Simon is one of the greatest poets of our time. You'll soon see that you don't really miss Art. He's not needed here. Not even on Bridge over Troubled Waters. A Top pick in my book.
Rating:
Summary: good
Review: firstly, ý want to get it a.s.a.p. ý have paul simon's africa concert records. shall you post it after 11.june.2001 ?
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I am a fan of Paul Simon but, I was very disappointed. Maybe I just expected that he'd be as good today as he was in 1981? in central park. If you didn't look on the album cover you may not have recognized the song "Kodachrome" when he performed it.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Performance from a Great Artist
Review: I have read a lot of the reviews here. It's true, if you want a true regurgitation of the way these songs appeared on the albums, you should skip this. However, if you understand that music is an organic entity that should change and evolve and you recognize Paul Simon for the songwriting genius he is, this DVD is for you. Here Simon has surrounded himself with a whole band of top notch musicians who seem very pleased to be performing with a legend. The lead guitar player is particularly fine, doubling on cello, banjo, mandolin and others. Sure the songs sound different but there are many amazing performances of favourites along with spirited renditions of songs which appears on the underappreciated "You're the One". Here "I am a Rock" is a particularly cool new version of the song recorded by S & G all those years ago. I love this DVD and I can't wait for Paul & Artie's new DVD on the Old Friends concert. It was an honour seeing them here in Toronto last fall
Rating: 
Summary: A nice concert - but not a great one
Review: I know I'm going against the flow of other reviews on this. I bought this title expecting great live renditions of some of my all time favorite songs by a great master of music and lyrics. But after watching it start to finish, I felt a little let down. He just doesn't seem completely engaged with his music and with the audience. No talk between songs, no interaction with the band members, he just sort of goes through the motions in a good mood but not completely engaged. The sound quality is OK, I liked the DD 5.1 mix better than the dts. I definitely doesn't match up to the sound on some of the better concert DVDs. If you are a die hard Simon fan and enjoy everything he does, then you'll likely enjoy this as well. But for me, it doesn't match up to the likes of similar concert DVDs, like John Fogerty, Fleetwood Mac, Moodly Blues, and the Eagles. Dudeymon
Rating:
Summary: I loved it
Review: I know there has been a lot of mixed reviews about Paul Simons latest album Youre the One. People seem to love it or hate it. Me, I loved it from the first time I heard it. This live performance captures a forty year career beautifully. From the opening of Thats Where I Belong, to the only song that Paul should ever close a show with, the boxer. It was great with rockin versions of Me and Juilo Down By the Schoolyard, You Can Call Me Al and an one of the most beautiful versions of Old Friends/Bookends I have ever heard. The only thing that this concert should have had on it was Love from his new album. Because I know a lot of people feel mixed about his new sound I would recomend renting this first or borrowing it from a friend, because I'm biased in this case. But like the title I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: A great video of a brilliant concert!
Review: I saw Paul in concert in London, and this video captures the excitement and richness of it all. The band are brilliant, especially Steve Gadd - he's so rock-steady you could drop a bomb on him and he wouldn't miss a beat. Paul had obviously rehearsed the band with his usually thoroughness, without taking away any of the excitement. I was amazed and delighted that this video has virtually the whole set on it - so many songs, so great value! The only ones missing from the concert I saw are Proof, Spirit Voices, and his special and emotional reunion with folk singer Martin Carthy. They were friends in the 60s, but had a falling-out when Carthy accused Simon of stealing his version of Scarborough Fair (it's certainly similar!). This time when Paul was over they were reconciled, and they performed a slightly shaky version of the song in question (Martin Carthy was very nervous!). Paul sang at least 1 song from each of his solo albums (except Capeman, which I thought was a shame), and the S&G stuff you can see on the track listing. Buy the video or DVD and see what you missed by not going to the concert - it was wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: Paul's The One
Review: I Saw Paul Simon during this tour, this performance is from October of 2000, I saw him in mid-December when he played the Beacon Theater in NYC. This was the best concert I've ever been to, and I go to many concerts. The DVD covers basically the same songs that he sang at the performance I went to. I really enjoyed this concert, his energy levels are high and he really seems to be having more fun here than in his 2 Central Park concerts. This concert really captures his love of music and the amount of effort he puts into performing live. The only flaw is that the sound quality could have been much better, it sounds too hollow, and doesn't really capture the full volume of his band.
Rating: 
Summary: They cut this in Paris ... what was Paul thinking .....
Review: I should really take some more stars off the review for a couple of bummers but, hey I'm a fan and Paul Simon can do no wrong..... or..... First, I didn't know when first watching this DVD that the concert was cut in Paris on Oct 30/31 2000 which explains the reason that the crowd was really subdued, and, damn if I think they didn't even know half of the Paul Simon songs. Normally, all you have to hear is less than the first bar and the audience now only knows whats coming but gets into the song immediately .... Second, I felt that Simon must have decided to up the twang of most of the first half of this concert that I kept on getting the feeling that I was listening to crossover country and western songs ... Whats with that anyway .... Bexause the crowd seemed so bonged out that I would almost say they were catatonic, Paul's perfomance reflected this and I certainly never felt any electricty .... As far as the technical aspects the video was Ok but the sound was strange and I really can't put my finger on it .... credits and jacket say it's dolby digital surround sound... I think ver 3 ... but forget it I kept on checking my sound system and switched between the different surround sound modes nu ..... hey I came to the conclusion that this was just cut in stero with two channels ..... What a disappointmet DVD ... I guess I'll just have to make sure I down half a bottle of bourbon to dumb the senses before I play it for my friends .....
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