Concert in the Park
Paul Simon · 1991
117 min · 23 tracks · folk rock
A vibrant live showcase blending folk rock with world music rhythms, capturing the spirit of a sun-soaked summer concert.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Obvious Child Start here — Opening the concert, this track features a lively samba beat that sets an energetic tone while addressing themes of nostalgia and maturity.
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Graceland — This song exemplifies Simon's fusion of folk and world music influences, narrating a journey filled with hope and redemption that resonates throughout the concert.
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Bridge Over Troubled Water — A powerful rendition of this classic showcases Simon's vocal strength and emotional depth, creating a poignant moment of unity among the audience.
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You Can Call Me Al — With its upbeat rhythm and playful lyrics, this track engages the audience while embodying Simon's signature storytelling style infused with humor.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures a vibrant live performance with strong arrangements and reinterpretations of familiar songs.
What we noticed
- The performance includes extended instrumental sections, allowing the band to showcase their musicianship between vocal lines.
- Several tracks are reinterpreted with different tempos or instrumentation compared to their studio versions, creating a fresh experience for familiar songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- celebratory atmosphere for gatherings
- reflective moments during quiet times
- playful storytelling with rhythmic variety
- engaging sing-along choruses
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid long, narrative-driven albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Captured significant commercial success and marked a return to live performance.
- Themes
- nostalgic storytelling· live performance energy· world rhythms celebration
- Career context
- Released in 1991, Concert in the Park marked Paul Simon's return to live performance after years focused on studio albums. It captured his greatest hits and new material, reflecting his evolving artistry while re-establishing his connection with audiences. This concert was pivotal as it showcased his ability to blend diverse musical styles and engage a large crowd.
- Stylistic neighbors
- James Taylor· Cat Stevens· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 The Obvious Child Start here 4:38
- 2 The Boy in the Bubble 5:59
- 3 She Moves On 6:26
- 4 Kodachrome 4:13
- 5 Born at the Right Time 5:12
- 6 Train in the Distance 4:45
- 7 Me and Julio Down by the School Yard 3:13
- 8 I Know What I Know 4:44
- 9 The Cool, Cool River 5:40
- 10 Bridge Over Troubled Water 5:16
- 11 Proof 5:39
Disc 2
- 1 The Coast 7:06
- 2 Graceland 5:30
- 3 You Can Call Me Al 5:10
- 4 Still Crazy After All These Years 3:42
- 5 Loves Me Like a Rock 2:53
- 6 Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes 9:30
- 7 Hearts and Bones 6:17
- 8 Late in the Evening 4:44
- 9 America 3:22
- 10 The Boxer 4:18
- 11 Cecilia 3:24
- 12 The Sound of Silence 5:45
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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