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Paul Simon - Live at the Tower Theatre
Paul Simon - Live at the Tower Theatre
Genres: Music Video & Concerts
NR     2003     1hr 24min

In 1980, after several years of absence, Paul Simon returned to the concert stage on a triumphant swing through the United States and Europe. Touring with him were some of the best in the business: Steve Gadd on drums, ...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Genres: Music Video & Concerts
Sub-Genres: Pop, Rock & Roll, Simon, Paul, Classic Rock
Studio: GENEON [PIONEER]
Format: DVD - Color,Full Screen
DVD Release Date: 11/18/2003
Original Release Date: 01/01/1980
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1980
Release Year: 2003
Run Time: 1hr 24min
Screens: Color,Full Screen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 5
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

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Movie Reviews

One Trick Pony Live!
Anthony Accordino | Massapequa Park, New York United States | 12/18/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Paul Simon "Live At The Tower Theatre", may be the finest solo Paul Simon concert ever filmed. This is bare bones Simon, with a four piece band, that starred with him in the movie "One Trick Pony". It is actually nice to hear the songs, without the different world music arrangements and caribbean orchestras, that plagued his live shows during the nineties. The band is made up of ex Stuff members Steve Gadd[drums],The late Richard Tee[keyboards and vocals], The late Eric Gale[guitar], and Tony Levin[bass]. These guys crank, and may well have been Paul Simons best band ever assembled. The rockin "Ace In The Hole", is one of several cuts from the much overlooked album 'One Trick Pony", and features Richard Tee sharing vocals with Simon, while pounding his gospel tinged keyboards. Other favorites include, "Late In The Evening", "Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover", "Me And Julio", and "One Trick Pony", to name a few. The sound and picture quality is very good, considering that the show was recorded in 1980. The only negative, is that the concert is a tad short at 55 minutes, but this is all quality, and Paul Simon never sounded better in concert. Paul Simon along with top session men, Steve Gadd, Eric Gale, Richard Tee and Tony Levin, is not to be missed, if you are a fan of vintage Paul Simon."
Audio 10 - Video 2 1/2 - # of Tracks 0
---- J. M. Donabie | Scarborough, Ontario Canada | 01/11/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)

"First of all this is Paul Simon (without Art) at his very best. This was one of his best concert tours ever; with the best band backing him. The Audio on this DVD is a 10.Now to the other two areas. The Video shot in 1980 is not up to standards. I've seen less grainy prints from decades earlier. Now my biggesr beef. I paid $32.95 + tax Canadian for this DVD. Yes I knew how many tracks were on it when I bought it. However; after watching it and remembering the original concert tour (Toronto Stop) I know there were many more songs performed than 11. No one twisted my arm; but to get those musicians and Simon together was a must. I will cherish it; but boo to whomever put it together. Maybe there was nothing they could do about the video on this one performance; but they could have given us the WHOLE SHOW! I have to leave on a positive note. The playing and the 5.1 sound is fabulous!"
One Trick Pony For $20
doggiedogma | Mob Town USA | 10/05/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a DVD of the concert Paul did on 10/7/80 at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia. The backing band is the band from the movie and album "One Trick Pony": Richard Tee (RIP)- organ, Erie Gale (RIP) - guitar, Steve Gadd - drums, Tony Levin - bass, along with a horn section.
The band sounds great. This is probably the best band Paul has toured with, as Paul does not have a 20 piece ensemble of musicians and dancers during this tour. Paul is in great spirits and he interacts with the audience on a couple of occassions, at one point telling an audience member to move on up to the front of the stage if he/she couldn't see well, and saying "I don't know if the theatre allows it but it's OK with me."
Paul looks splendid in his blue Member's Only jacket, and Tony Levin plays regular electric bass (his famous stick bass is noticeably absent). Paul runs through most of his current album "One Trick Pony" and the hits from his first couple of albums. Paul then does a great solo encore of two Simon and Garfunkel tunes.
The only drawback is that the concert is clipped, and has a running time of 53min. I don't know why they didn't release the complete concert. This is a sore point for me, and is really lame.

The set list for the DVD is as follows:
"Me and Julio Down By The School Yard"
"Still Crazy After All These Years"
"Ace In The Hole"
"Something So Right"
"One Trick Pony"
"Jonah"
"50 Ways To Leave Your Lover"
"Late In The Evening"
"American Tune"
"The Boxer" (solo)
"Sounds Of Silence" (solo)

Overall, a decent representation of Paul Simon before he began his "orchestra ensemble" tours. I just wish they would have shown the complete concert."
Great, But Misleading DVD Length
Paul Simon Fan | Falls Church, VA | 01/21/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)

"As a Paul Simon fan, I really enjoyed this DVD, because he played his music in this concert very true to the greatness of the melodies, with all arrangements in very good taste, as opposed to his later tours where his renditions of the music really are kind of out there.

I've never seen a DVD that is almost half as short as advertised. That is totally unacceptable and I don't see how they got away with doing that. If it is made half the price from the original price, I would say that would be a fair exchange.

But that takes nothing away from the good music. Enjoy."