Paul Simon The Quiet Celebration 2025 Concert DVD

Description

This remarkable concert film documents one of the most compelling chapters in the extraordinary career of legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Recorded live during the closing performances of his acclaimed A Quiet Celebration Tour at Seattle’s McCaw Hall on August 5–6, 2025, the nearly two-hour film captures Simon’s triumphant return to the concert stage following a seven-year touring absence and his widely publicized battle with severe hearing loss in his left ear. Choosing intimate theaters celebrated for their exceptional acoustics, Simon transformed what could have been a farewell into one of the most personal, reflective, and joyous performances of his six-decade career.

Presented as far more than a traditional concert film, Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert blends beautifully photographed live performances with candid documentary vignettes in which Simon reflects on the creative process behind Seven Psalms, the physical challenges that threatened to end his performing career, and the rediscovered joy of making music alongside an extraordinary ensemble of longtime collaborators. Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Joel Gallen, the film presents the first-ever complete live performance of Simon’s Grammy-nominated Seven Psalms before expanding into a carefully curated second act celebrating every era of his catalog—from timeless classics including “Graceland,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” and “The Boxer” to beloved fan favorites and overlooked gems that have rarely been performed in concert.

Throughout the performance, Simon’s understated storytelling is complemented by elegant cinematography and understated staging that place the focus squarely on the songs, the musicians, and the emotional connection between artist and audience. Critics praised the production for embracing Simon’s present-day artistry rather than attempting to recreate the past, celebrating a performer whose voice, perspective, and songwriting have continued to deepen with age. The result is both an intimate concert experience and a moving portrait of resilience, creativity, and one of popular music’s greatest living songwriters rediscovering the stage on his own terms.

Recorded LIVE at McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington between August 5th and 6th 2025

Track Listing

1. The Lord
2. Love Is Like a Braid
3. My Professional Opinion
4. Your Forgiveness
5. Trail of Volcanoes
6. The Sacred Harp (with Edie Brickell)
7. Wait (with Edie Brickell)
8. Graceland
9. Slip Slidin’ Away
10. Train in the Distance*
11. Homeward Bound
12. St. Judy’s Comet
13. The Late Great Johnny Ace
14. Spirit Voices
15. René and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After the War
16. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (with Edie Brickell)
17. Under African Skies (with Edie Brickell)
18. The Boxer
19. The Sound of Silence

* Note: “Train in the Distance” was performed during the Seattle concerts but was omitted from the final version due to runtime constraints. It is likewise absent from the announced companion live album.

Total Running Time: 1 Hour 59 Minutes