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Paul Simon talks about his life and his latest work: Seven Psalms.

Paul Simon talks about his life and his latest work: Seven Psalms.

Now aged 81, Paul Simon is an outstanding artist of his generation, writing strings of extraordinarily successful and well-loved songs across nearly 70 years of music-making.

Speaking in New York, he recalls early experiences on the British folk circuit during the 1960s, and talks about his new album, Seven Psalms, a seamless song cycle that evolves over one 33-minute track.

In an extended interview with Mark Radcliffe, Paul recounts how the title came to him in a dream, and discusses the recurring themes of the piece. He talks about mortality, creativity and spirituality, and about collaborating with his wife Edie Brickell and with the vocal ensemble VOCES8.

There's also a chance to hear Paul performing in his first Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio session in 1965, as he remembers the London friends who gave him that early opportunity.

Paul also talks about his present ability to perform, and his ambitions for the near future. Artist Charlie Mackesy (The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse) is running a free exhibition of sketches, inspired by Paul Simon's Seven Psalms, in London during September 2023.

57 minutes

Last on

Wed 1 May 2024 03:00

Music Played

  • Simon & Garfunkel

    The Only Living Boy In New York

  • Paul Simon

    Seven Psalms (montage): The Lord / My Professional Opinion / Your Forgiveness

  • Paul Simon

    Kathy's Song

  • Paul Simon

    Seven Psalms: Trail of Volcanoes

  • Simon & Garfunkel

    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔward Bound

  • Paul Simon

    Leaves That Are Green (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Session, Five To Ten, 1965)

  • Paul Simon

    Seven Psalms: The Lord

  • Paul Simon

    Slip Slidin' Away

  • Paul Simon

    Seven Psalms: Wait (feat. Edie Brickell)

  • Paul Simon

    Seven Psalms: The Sacred Harp (feat. Edie Brickell)

  • Paul Simon

    Crazy Love, Vol. II

Broadcasts

  • Wed 20 Sep 2023 21:00
  • Wed 1 May 2024 03:00