Paul Simon Paul Simon/Paul Simon Special LD Ver.

A nostalgic video software of Paul Simon is finally available. Its name is “PAUL SIMON SPECIAL”. It is the video that was released in Japan under the title “Special Show”. It was originally a special program broadcast on American television, and was created in collaboration with Lorne Michaels, producer of the TV program “Saturday Night Live” in which Paul appeared many times. In the 50-minute program, Simon shoots and plays while arguing with the pushy producer, who has a completely different personality, in order to make a TV special. It is really interesting to see the producer, played by actor Charles Grodin, continue to work on the TV special despite Simon’s various worries. The stage filmed for the special was held in a situation where only 40 people could fit in the audience, which made Simon feel disappointed. However, the producer did not intervene, saying that it would be fine with editing. Furthermore, Simon had to carry several guitar cases by himself to the NBC studio where the recording was taking place, and when he arrived in the lobby, no one knew who he was. The program progresses in such an ironic situation. The best part is how the producer edited the footage of an empty concert to make it look like a heated concert. When Simon starts singing “Still Crazy After All These Years,” the screen shows the audience at a rock concert that has nothing to do with him. Despite Simon’s soft singing, the audience is standing up and going wild. Simon protests, “It’s obvious that this isn’t my concert,” but the producer shows another live performance. This is the best scene, but this time, while Simon is singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” only old people are shown on screen. Then, just when you think the song will end and the audience will applaud, the producer uses a video of three cheers from a (political or something) rally at the Nippon Budokan, and the producer calms him down by saying, “Everyone is worshiping him.” Of course, Simon is furious, saying, “This is not the audience for my concert!” Still, the producer didn’t care, and made absurd suggestions such as “Paul Simon Special is weak, how about Paul “Bridge to Troubled Water” Simon Special?” The story unfolds in this way, and even though he is being pushed around by the producer, all the performances that Simon shows in between are wonderful. He sings a blues version of “Loves Me Like A Rock” with the Jesse Dixon Singers, saying “It’s different from the album.” The producer also interrupts the scene of “Old Friends” with Art Garfunkel, which is treated as the climax of the second half. He forces the two to practice the lines for the show, but the exchange between the two that unfolds there is exactly the same as when they appeared on “SATURDAY NIGHT” in 1975, so it’s ironic. And yet, the show ended with the producer telling Simon at the very end, “You’re much better together than you are alone,” in an earnest attempt to encourage a reunion of S&G, making it a comedy-drama with an ironic touch right to the end. This show was released as a video software in the 1980s, and even on laser disc. Thanks to this, many people have probably seen the show. Even after the disappearance of laser discs, the video itself was sold for a long time, and it even became a standard video of Simon in the 1970s. However, it has not been released as a DVD, and in recent years, the situation has changed to one where the video that was so familiar to us is no longer easily viewable. Nowadays, this software is uploaded in parts on YouTube, making it easy to just watch. However, it was uploaded by an overseas fan, so there are no subtitles. However, this time it is based on a mint condition out-of-print laser disc, so the image quality is different. And above all, it has subtitles, so you can enjoy the interaction on a different level from a regular live show. Not only the performance scenes, but you can’t enjoy this drama without subtitles. Please enjoy this nostalgic TV special on DVD. This footage has been out of print for a long time, so some people may be watching it for the first time in a long time! Taken from the original Japanese laser disc This is the story of the making of a television special with Paul and his friends Chevy Chase, the Jesse Dixon Singers, Art Garfunkel, Lily Tomlin and Charles Grodin as the “big bad” producer…(49:09) 1. Introduction 2. Still Crazy After All These Years 3. Studio Conversation 4. Arrived at NBC Studios 5. Back Stage Conversation 6. Something So Right 7. Studio Conversation (feat. Still Crazy After All These Years & Bridge Over Troubled Water) 8. I Do It For Your Love (with Toots Thielemans) 9. Chevy Chase Show 10. Loves Me Like A Rock (with the Jessy Dixon Singers) 11. Still Crazy After All These Years 12. Back Stage Conversation (with Art Garfunkel) 13. Old Friends (with Art Garfunkel) 14. Back Stage Conversation 15. The Boxer 16. Back Stage Conversation 17. Slip Slidin’ Away (End Credit) PRO-SHOT COLOR NTSC Approx.49min. Musicians: Al Brown / Edward Daniels / Steve Gadd / Janet Hamilton / Kathy Kienke / Tony Levin Hugh McCracken / David Sanborn / Richard Sortomme / Richard Tee / Toots Thielemans The Jessy Dixon Singers