Latest news with #Simon&Garfunkel
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
US rock star turns up at Welsh railway station with a guitar for impromptu performance
US rock star turns up at Welsh railway station with a guitar for impromptu performance The singer was seen enjoying a stroll along the beach and playing guitar whilst waiting for the train He got out his guitar to play a song (Image: Kyle Gass Instagram ) An American rock star made a surprise visit to south Wales as fans spotted him at a Cardiff railway station earlier this week. One half of rock duo Tenacious D, Kyle Gass, took a quick trip to Cardiff and Barry ahead of the final few dates on his UK tour. Although not performing in Cardiff for The Kyle Gass Company's 2025 UK tour, he decided to spontaneously visit the Welsh city as he was spotted playing Simon & Garfunkel's Homeward Bound at Cardiff Central railway station and strolling along Barry Island beach. The singer is known for being one half of the famous rock band, Tenacious D alongside fellow rockstar and Hollywood actor, Jack Black who recently starred in the box office smash, Minecraft. Gass has also made appearances in films such as Shallow Hal, with Jack Black, and Christmas classic, Elf. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter According to Bro Radio, the bandmate of Jack Black enjoyed a quiet moment by the sea as well as stopping in Romilly's Café taking pictures with the staff on Wednesday, May 28. Whilst waiting for his train at Cardiff Central railway station, Gass got out his guitar and sang the 1966 hit from the famous duo/ Content cannot be displayed without consent With the Cardiff sign clear in the background of his video shared on social media, fans were quick to welcome him to Wales. One person wrote: "Omg your in cardiff!! Welcome to Wales." With another saying: "Croeso I Cymru!!! Welcome to Wales!! Awesome." Fans were shocked to see him in Cardiff (Image: Kyle Gass Instagram ) Gass and Black's heavy rock band, who've had hits such as Tribute and Beelzeboss are currently on hiatus after, in July 2024, Gass made a controversial remark about President Donald Trump's assassination attempt. The band cancelled their tour for the rest of summer last year. The controversy arose after Black presented his bandmate with a cake to celebrate his birthday whilst on stage in Australia. When asked to make a wish, Gass said: 'Don't miss Trump next time.' Kung-Fu Panda star Black has spoken about the band's future since, saying: " 'Yeah, we're friends. That hasn't changed. These things take time sometimes… And we'll be back when it feels right." This year, Gass has toured around Europe and the UK with The Kyle Gass Company with their last tour date in Stockport on Saturday, May 31. Article continues below
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'A beacon in the darkness': Paul Simon returns to Canada after seven years, defying hearing loss with grace and music
In a return to live performance in Canada after 7 years, Paul Simon graced Toronto's Massey Hall on May 27. The 83-year-old singer-songwriter, renowned for his evocative storytelling and musical innovation, is embarking on his "A Quiet Celebration" tour, a series of intimate performances across North America. Dressed casually in jeans, a ball cap, and a purple jacket, Simon opened his second set with the 1968 classic "America." Before starting his song, he reflected on its themes of division and the search for identity, drawing parallels to contemporary times. "I wrote that song many years ago," he shared, noting its relevance today. He then offered a poignant observation: "I'm happy to report that I've found it. It's here in Canada. You really are a beacon in the darkness at this point." The evening commenced with a full performance of his 2023 album, "Seven Psalms," a contemplative piece exploring spirituality and human connection. Accompanied by a chamber ensemble featuring harmonium, flute, strings, and intricate percussion, Simon delivered the seven-movement composition with a blend of spoken word and song. His wife, singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, joined him for "The Sacred Harp," adding depth to the introspective set. The second half of the concert celebrated Simon's extensive catalog, offering reimagined versions of beloved tracks. Highlights included "Graceland," "Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War," and "The Late Great Johnny Ace," the latter accompanied by visuals of John Lennon, John F. Kennedy, and Johnny Ace. Brickell returned for a whistling solo on "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," adding a playful touch to the evening. Live Events The encore featured fan favorites "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and "The Boxer ," culminating in a solo performance of " The Sound of Silence ." The audience was visibly moved as Simon softly sang, "Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again," bringing the night to a poignant close. Simon, who had previously retired from touring in 2018 due to hearing loss, collaborated with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss to adapt his performances for optimal acoustics. The "A Quiet Celebration" tour continues with additional dates in Toronto on May 29 and 30, followed by performances in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, and other cities. Who is Paul Simon? Paul Simon is an iconic American singer-songwriter known for his poetic lyrics, innovative music, and enduring hits both as a solo artist and as half of the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel. With classics like 'The Sound of Silence,' 'Graceland,' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' he has shaped popular music for over six decades.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
'A beacon in the darkness': Paul Simon returns to Canada after seven years, defying hearing loss with grace and music
Paul Simon, at 83, returned to the Canadian stage after seven years, performing at Toronto's Massey Hall as part of his "A Quiet Celebration" tour. He delivered his 2023 album "Seven Psalms" and reimagined classics, with Edie Brickell joining him. Simon, who addressed hearing loss challenges, concluded the night with a moving rendition of "The Sound of Silence." Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who is Paul Simon? In a return to live performance in Canada after 7 years, Paul Simon graced Toronto's Massey Hall on May 27. The 83-year-old singer-songwriter, renowned for his evocative storytelling and musical innovation, is embarking on his "A Quiet Celebration" tour, a series of intimate performances across North casually in jeans, a ball cap, and a purple jacket, Simon opened his second set with the 1968 classic "America." Before starting his song, he reflected on its themes of division and the search for identity, drawing parallels to contemporary times. "I wrote that song many years ago," he shared, noting its relevance today. He then offered a poignant observation: "I'm happy to report that I've found it. It's here in Canada. You really are a beacon in the darkness at this point."The evening commenced with a full performance of his 2023 album, "Seven Psalms," a contemplative piece exploring spirituality and human by a chamber ensemble featuring harmonium, flute, strings, and intricate percussion, Simon delivered the seven-movement composition with a blend of spoken word and song. His wife, singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, joined him for "The Sacred Harp," adding depth to the introspective second half of the concert celebrated Simon's extensive catalog, offering reimagined versions of beloved tracks. Highlights included "Graceland," "Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War," and "The Late Great Johnny Ace," the latter accompanied by visuals of John Lennon, John F. Kennedy, and Johnny Ace. Brickell returned for a whistling solo on "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," adding a playful touch to the encore featured fan favorites "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and "The Boxer ," culminating in a solo performance of " The Sound of Silence ." The audience was visibly moved as Simon softly sang, "Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again," bringing the night to a poignant who had previously retired from touring in 2018 due to hearing loss, collaborated with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss to adapt his performances for optimal "A Quiet Celebration" tour continues with additional dates in Toronto on May 29 and 30, followed by performances in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, and other Simon is an iconic American singer-songwriter known for his poetic lyrics, innovative music, and enduring hits both as a solo artist and as half of the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel. With classics like 'The Sound of Silence,' 'Graceland,' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' he has shaped popular music for over six decades.
The Guardian
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Dylan said: teach me that!' Martin Carthy on six decades of Scarborough Fair – and his new solo album
Martin Carthy has returned to Scarborough Fair. It's been 60 years since he first recorded the song on his self-titled debut album, and famously taught it (or tried to teach it) to both Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, when they came to watch the young guitar hero playing in the London folk clubs. Dylan transformed the song into Girl from the North Country, while Simon turned it into Scarborough Fair/Canticle, a hit single for Simon & Garfunkel and the opening track on their 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. Carthy's new version is on Transform Me Then into a Fish, his first solo album in 21 years, released on his 84th birthday today. It now has sitar backing from Sheema Mukherjee, giving it a mysterious, spooky edge. 'That's the kind of a song it is. Try not to be scared of it,' said Carthy, whose sleeve notes when he first recorded the song provided a reminder that parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme were herbs traditionally associated with death. 'It finds a home among the weird, oddball songs. I was interested in what Sheema could do with it, and she responded as a wonderful musician will respond …' He is sitting at his kitchen table in the house in which he has lived for the past 37 years, in Robin Hood's Bay on the Yorkshire coast, just half an hour's drive north of Scarborough. It looks like an over-cluttered museum, with every space on the floor, walls or shelves packed with musical instruments, cassettes, pictures, posters and a street sign from Hull, where his wife, the late Norma Waterson, grew up. He now shares the home with their daughter, the folksinger and fiddle-player Eliza Carthy, her two children, and a cat. He says he has always loved the lyrics of folk songs as much as the melodies, and as he discusses the new album, he delights in telling stories, often illustrated with bursts of song, about the bands and musicians he has played with. Eliza brings in tea, chipping in about lyrics and song titles. The new album started out as a 60th anniversary tribute to his 1965 solo debut, but didn't quite work out that way. A handful of songs have been dropped, and three new ones added. But eight originals remain, including Scarborough Fair. He remembers exactly where he first heard it – at the Troubadour folk club in Earl's Court, in 1960, where it was sung by Jacqueline McDonald (of the Spinners fame) who told her audience that she had learned it from a new song book, The Singing Island, by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. Carthy rushed out to buy it and thought: 'That's a nice tune – and of course it was, because Ewan wrote [this version of] it! He would always improve a tune.' Carthy composed his own arrangement for the song, and was singing it while playing with the Thamesiders at the King & Queen pub, near Goodge Street, when he 'found myself looking into Dylan's face – I had heard about him from Sing Out magazine'. Dylan was there with his legendary manager Albert Grossman, 'a folk fan who loved fishing and whaling songs and could sing the pants off anyone, though he never sang in public'. Dylan said he loved Scarborough Fair, and begged Carthy to 'teach me that, teach me that'. A few days later he came to watch Carthy playing solo at the Troubadour, and began visiting the house where he was living on Haverstock Hill, near Belsize Park tube. The first visit has become a folk legend. It was during the bitterly cold winter of 1962-3, and one of Carthy's friends had found an old piano abandoned outside Chalk Farm tube and pushed it up the hill to the house. Carthy started chopping it up with a sword he had been given as a Christmas present, so he could feed it into a wood-burning stove – to Dylan's fury. 'I got the sword and Bob came and stood in front of me and said 'you can't do that, man, it's a musical instrument!' 'It's a piece of junk', I said, and swung a couple of times. Bob was looking up at me and said 'could I try?' – and he battered it … it's all true!' Dylan failed to master Scarborough Fair. 'He wanted to do it with a flat pick though he's a perfectly good finger-style player,' says Carthy. 'He got the giggles all the time and it made him laugh.' So when Dylan later transformed the song into Girl from the North Country, did he mind? 'We just swapped songs all the time,' says Carthy. 'That's what people did.' Carthy was less pleased when Paul Simon did not credit him for his arrangement on Simon and Garfunkel's version, Scarborough Fair/Canticle. But all is now forgiven, with Carthy saying: 'It was grossly unfair [of me] because it wasn't a pinch in any way … it was written as a tribute because he is clever enough to do that.'' They made up by singing the song together on stage at Hammersmith Apollo in October 2000: 'He was doing a tour. He said, 'Really – you want to do that?' It was important, so I could lay it to rest and never have to sing that song again!' He eventually changed his mind about returning to the song, he said, because 'I was gifted a lovely version!' In 2014 he was invited to sing on a TV drama, Remember Me, set in Scarborough and starring Michael Palin. When he went to the recording, he was presented with a very different version of Scarborough Fair, 'collected by Cecil Sharpe, from Goathland – a village near here on the moors'. That's the one he recorded for the new album and now sings live 'but I haven't got it quite right yet …' Sign up to Sleeve Notes Get music news, bold reviews and unexpected extras. Every genre, every era, every week after newsletter promotion Other songs of course have stories attached, too. He tells how he sang High Germany back in 1963 and thought he had remembered the words correctly until he checked the English Folk Music Journal and found that for some verses 'the words were nothing like mine – I was highly impressed I had invented this stuff'. He still sings his version. As for his own original version of the Ewan MacColl song Springhill Mine Disaster, The Ballad of Springhill, he says that MacColl, a folk purist, 'hated what I did, because I was playing guitar – a foreign body!' On the new version, Carthy is backed only by Eliza's fiddle and demonstrates his new singing voice. 'I lost a lot in the lower registers and found something else – and I like it.' Eliza's fiddle also provides the new setting for Ye Mariners All, 'one of those lovely nonsense songs.' The suitably surreal album cover for Transform Me Then into a Fish shows Martin at the breakfast table in the middle of the ocean, holding his fork like a crazed Neptune. Carthy has always been adventurous. After recording that landmark album in 1965 he worked with fiddler Dave Swarbrick. When Swarbrick joined Fairport Convention in 1969 – an invitation also extended to Carthy, 'twice!' – Carthy joined Steeleye Span instead, playing electric guitar, very loudly, saying 'do you want me to turn it down to 'lounge' – it's supposed to be loud!' After marrying Norma in 1972 he joined the glorious vocal group the Watersons. 'I thought eventually someone would teach me to sing, and Norma did,' he says. He went on to be involved in many different projects, including solo work, playing in duos with Swarbrick and with John Kirkpatrick and Eliza, and in groups including Waterson: Carthy (in which he was joined by Norma and Eliza), the brass-backed Brass Monkey, and the gloriously experimental the Imagined Village, which reworked traditional songs for a multicultural Britain, and featured a large cast that included Simon Emmerson, Billy Bragg, Benjamin Zephaniah and Mukherjee. 'I loved it,' says Carthy. 'That huge band was so exciting. Sheema seized everything we tossed at her and she encouraged me to take risks.' With the Imagined Village, he recorded a powerful new treatment of the traditional My Son John in 2010, with sitar backing and updated to the Afghan war era with Carthy's new lyrics: 'Up come John and he's got no legs, he's got carbon fibre blades instead.' He startled his followers even more by re-working Slade's Cum on Feel the Noize: 'Because I'm a big fan of Noddy [Holder]. What a singer!' He's just home from a US tour with Eliza, with shows to celebrate the new album involving both Eliza and Sheema starting on 12 June – while next year promises the return of a new version of the Imagined Village. Carthy may be 84, but he's not slowing down. Transform Me Then into a Fish is out today on Hem Hem Records
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disturbed's David Draiman Is Down With the Slickness After Totally Surprising His Girlfriend With On-Stage Proposal
Disturbed singer David Draiman is down with the nuptials. The 52-year-old hard rock singer popped the question to girlfriend model Sarah Uli during a surprise moment at his band's Disturbed: The Sickness 25th anniversary concert in Sacramento, CA on Friday night (May 9). During the show at the Golden 1 Center honoring the band's landmark 2000 album, Draiman paused things for a few minutes after the group's beloved Simon & Garfunkel 'The Sound of Silence' cover for a bit of personal business. 'At this time, I would like to call miss Sarah Uli to the stage please,' Draiman is heard saying in a video of the moment. More from Billboard Disturbed Scores 13th Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1 With 'I Will Not Break' Bad Bunny's 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 After Vinyl Release John Legend Says He's Shocked by Ye's 'Descent' Into 'Antisemitism' and 'Anti-Blackness' Dressed in his traditional black pants and sleeveless black t-shirt, Draiman invited his beloved to join him center stage as she looks around seemingly confused while he takes her hand. 'Everyone say hello to my lovely lady Sarah,' he continued. 'She's looking at me and she's wondering, 'What the f–k is he doing?' Sarah, my love. You have made my life so much better,' Draiman said, pulling Uli close and staring deeply into her eyes. 'You are the light in the darkness for me. I love you more than anything I have ever loved in this world, and it would be the absolute pinnacle of my life and my existence,' he added, while pulling a ring box out of his pocket and getting down on one knee as Uli covered her face. 'Sarah Uli, will you marry me?' The crowd went wild when the two shared a passionate kiss afterwards, with Draiman assuring them, 'In case you didn't hear, she said yes.' Uli posted pics of the moment with the caption, 'the happiest moment ever with the love of my life.' The marriage will mark the second for Draiman, who was previously married to model/actress Lena Yada from 2011-2023; the couple share a 12-year-old son. Watch Draiman and Uli's engagement below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
