This blog has been abandoned for too long - resulting from a combination of factors. First and foremost, of course, was Urban-deprivation since the final show of the Get Closer tour. But work has played a role too since the impact of the financial crunch in the world of education is, in part, being dumped on faculty. About a month before the new school year began I was informed that my teaching load would be increased by one-third over what it has been for the last three decades. Since, in a typical semester, I already teach about 315 students in 5-6 different courses and individualized experiences, while also working on 8-10 academic committees, there are not enough hours in a day to do much more. I have been struggling to keep my head above water with this extra load and unfortunately can no longer give my students the same degree of attention and quality education as I could in the past. Sadly this has sucked some of the joy out of the job that I have loved for so many years and depleted my energy for many other activities.
But now I have a brief reprieve over the holiday break, so perhaps can squeeze in a couple entries before the start of a new semester!
Perhaps a year ago we made plans with our best friends to take a road trip to see Simon and Garfunkel who had once again come together to do a revival tour of sorts. The tickets were very expensive but their music had been such a big part of our youths we were willing to pay the price and travel to Minneapolis to once again hear this duo. Unfortunately the show was canceled "for health reasons" and was never rescheduled. So when I discovered that Paul Simon was touring this year I decided to try again even though I knew he would probably not perform many songs from his S & G days. Since I am a 'regular' at the arena in Moline, I was able to score a good seat in the risers next to the stage during the arena presale. My seat was in the 2nd row but when it became clear that the first row of the risers was vacant, I moved down there for the show.
I had seen Paul perform before- years ago when he toured with Bob Dylan - but it was from a greater distance than this time. From only 20 feet away he seemed even shorter, especially in contrast to some of his tall band members. I suppose, like many of us older folks, he has probably lost an inch or two of his height. But "good things come in small packages" and that certainly holds true for the great music this man generates!
A group of very talented musicians, the Punch Brothers, opened for Simon. At first I thought they were an odd choice because they began with a bluegrass-like number that seemed not to fit with Simon's music. But their later songs were diverse and did a good job of featuring their mix of instruments and voices and I could see their musical kinship. This first clip in not mine but I think it has a "Simon" feel to it: This is the Song. Here they are in Moline singing The Band's Ophelia.
Paul's show was wonderful, with a nice mix of songs from several of his albums but too few from the Simon & Garfunkel days to ease my hunger there. Here is one however: a great Sounds of Silence . Paul's band is extremely talented - just as thrilling as Paul himself! Here is Paul's cover of Here Comes the Sun and a song I relate to personally Still Crazy After All These Years!
