Paul Simon: Live at the Tower Theatre

Seen here in his post-Simon and Garfunkel but pre-Graceland period, this hour-shy selection of cuts from Paul Simon's 1980 performance at Philadelphia's Tower Theatre serves up 11 songs (four from Simon's then current One-Trick Pony soundtrack, including the hit "Late in the Evening"). Backed by an A-list supporting band (Steve Gadd on drums, the late Eric Gale on guitar, Tony Levin on bass, and the late Richard Tee on electric piano), Simon gets the crowd moving with "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard" and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," but shines most brightly in his encore with two S&G standards: "The Boxer" and "The Sound of Silence" (the latter on electric guitar!). While hardcore fans will surely appreciate this, others will be disappointed by the relatively short running time, and the absence of such Simon staples as "Kodachrome," "Slip Slidin' Away," "Loves Me Like a Rock," and "Mother and Child Reunion." Presented in DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and stereo, the disc's text extras include bios, a discography, and photo and song manuscript galleries. Recommended, overall. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)