Album Review: Seven Psalms By Paul Simon

Paul Simon is over 80 years old, and announced his official retirement a few years back already.

Yet, he also just released a new album, called "Seven Psalms." It is a short album, with only seven songs, and running a bit over half an hour in length. 

Still, for fans of Simon, this is wonderful news.

Unfortunately, Simon seems surely to remain in retirement at least from touring, due to a rather sudden and unexpected hearing loss. Personally, I am glad that I took my son to see Paul Simon some years back, I believe in 2018, if memory serves correctly.

In any case, this seemed like a good opportunity to review the new album. So, here goes:

This is a different album than other Paul Simon albums. It is slower, softer, more reflective. While it does not quite have the upbeat tempo of "Graceland" or "Rhythm of the Saints," or the early career stuff he did with Art Garfunkel, this nevertheless sounds distinctively like Simon. It is mostly acoustic and the mood is somber, and honestly, it gave me the impression that Simon might be feeling his mortality more these days. At least, that seems to be what bleeds through. This does sound like a man who is looking at life already in the past tense, and asking deep questions about the meaning of life, while still remaining grateful for the blessings which have been richly endowed to him. 

Also, there are no clear divides between songs in this album. If you're not careful or paying close attention, it might even sound like one long song. Of course, it isn't. And you will hear contributions from his wife, Edie Brickell, who provides vocals in "The Sacred Harp." If you do not recognize her name, you might remember her from the one truly huge hit that she had "What I Am."

Ultimately, this is an enjoyable album. Still, it should be stressed that, for the most part, this is a quieter, more sober and less happy - bordering almost on dark at times - sound, which fans of Paul Simon might not be used to. He does sounds a bit more like "the old" Paul Simon with the second to last track, "The Lord (Reprise)." Yet, this track is short, and is followed by another very reflective, almost sad son, "Wait," where once again, Brickell provides some backing vocals. In this final track, it feels like Simon (as well as the listener) is reluctantly accepting the transition to...well, I'll let the listeners come to their own conclusions about it. Give it a listen, and see what your impressions are about this track and, more generally, this album. 

This is a solid album. Different than other Simon albums, but with just a hint of the old, familiar stuff to identify it as, indeed, a distinctively Paul Simon album. It might not have the upbeat energy of some past Simon albums, yet it is reflective of circumstances, of the reality that he is now over 80 years old, and understandably dwelling on big issues, particularly mortality. It was an enjoyable album to listen to. Highly recommended!

"Seven Psalms" by Paul Simon Track Listing: 

The Lord 

Love Is Like a Braid  

My Professional Opinion

Your Forgiveness 

Trail of Volcanoes 

The Sacred Harp 

Wait

ALBUMS Seven Psalms Paul Simon 2023 Paul Simon Seven Psalms 7.5 By Sam Sodomsky  GENRE: Rock LABEL: Owl / Legacy REVIEWED: May 25, 2023

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/paul-simon-seven-psalms/

Paul Simon unlikely to perform live again due to sudden hearing loss by Aidin Vaziri, May 24, 2023:

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/paul-simon-hearing-loss-covid-seven-psalms-18117021