In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon

Let me begin by confessing that Simon was a source of tremendous comfort during my adolescence, my primary guitar teacher, me being a self taught guitarist, and the single most direct influence on my own musical creations. I can do a few things on the guitar because of learning by ear (no tabs, no internet) that few guitarists can do. And the backdrop to all of this was what I believed to be a strongly human ethic as evidenced in at least a few of his songs. Alas, the fire disappeared over the years. No one writes anything like the protest songs of old. Remember that Scarborough Fair had an antiwar counter melody? I will refrain from reciting the obvious reasons for this. However, there is still a weird thing that is bugging me. The transformation of Sounds of Silence from a folky niche piece to a gigantic hit is covered in this documentary, and it is covered wrong. Simon did not know they were doing it, he sure as heck did not give anyone permission, and the entire coverage discounts the massive luck or divine destiny which he was blessed with. There are also bizarre issues regarding Simon's recognition of the inspiration for the Seven Psalms, but, hey, we all get old. Why am I being so hard on Paul?

To whom much is given, much is expected.

This is a great documentary and it gives a very nice insight on the way Paul Simon shapes his latest (last?) album. Along the way we see the story how Simon's career started with it's ups and downs. It is a great miss the film maker stops around the succes of Graceland (okay, we got a few minutes on the follow up album "Rhythm of th Saints" in the movie as well.

This film is missing out on the second half of Paul's career. The description of the movies mentions the six decades Paul Simon's career is spanning. Too bad the great works from the last 3 decades are not mentioned or talked about.

This makes that this film feels like incomplete. There is life after Graceland! Very much so. Too bad this was not included.

Basically this film is about "7 Psalms", Simon & Garfunkel and Graceland. Highlights in Paul Simon's career, but not doing right to the career itself.

Still a joy to watch and listen to!

Tells the story of Simon's rise from boy in Queens New York, making music as a duo with his friend to rise as perhaps the greatest songwriter of our time.

The direction and editing are very well done, the visuals add so much.

I remember his early years with Garfunkel. The public story line was how much of a collaboration it was. In reality it was more like 99% Paul. Garfunkel's voice added an ethereal beauty to the vocals. But as I got deeper into the story I was reminded of the amazing directions Simon's music took. Not content with doing the same old thing he forged a kinship with musicians from South Africa and Brazil. He really is a musical genius.

This tells the story of his latest album, a miracle in itself considering he is now completely deaf in one ear. This entire album was born from a dream.

Great history of the first years of his and Garfunkel's lives and careers. Those albums and performances are in the pantheon of 60's musical creations. Way too much footage, though, of him noodling his new album. And isn't the guitar lick he channeled in a dream the same one from Anji 60 years ago?

But the episode ends with a completely unnecessary and cruel remark about his ex partner: After saying his five year friendship with him was his first great friendship with someone who got him, he then says Garfunkel is now someone he never wants to see again. At this point in their lives, was it really necessary to make such a cruel public rejection? I'm sure he had the clout to remove that even if it wasn't his choice to include it.

The documentary is almost faultless; its editing and concept make it one of the best documentaries I have watched. Paul's story is told and weaved within a contemporary narrative as he works on his new album, 7 Psalms. There are no talking heads, all the voice overs or narration is done with people that are introduced through archival footage and it is therefore seamless. The documentary ends with him and Edie (his wife) ,in his studio, singing a couple of verses of a song from his 7 Psalms album. This sets up a sense that he realizes that he may be reaching the end of his creative journey, and then it fades to the credits. But if you wait until just after the credits roll on episode 2, you are treated to a haunting version of Sound of Silence, recorded during a rehearsal. It is night, and he is singing to an empty hall, and in the distance people are walking along the footpath and just casually gazing towards the sound as they walk past. It is a slow and very moving and neatly provides a bookend to an amazing career as it was this song that launched his career all those years ago. The versions are worlds apart; his youthful version launched his career was a driving folk rock version with twanging guitars and drums, this version, matured and just reflecting where he is now.

I am a huge fan of Paul's and he has been part of my life since almost the beginning. I learnt to play the guitar by emulating his style and have memories of spending many, many hours trying to master songs like Kathy's Song, and this documentary is an is an absolute enjoyment from start to finish and tops everything off.