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DannyC
May-28-2014, 03:54 GMT
USA - United Staates America

I want to start again by saying I love the Graceland album. I think it is a masterpiece from start to finish.

However, I don't think his intentions were strictly selfish, but it just seems interesting that after the failure of Hearts and Bones and after the huge let down of the non S&G reunion, I definitely feel like he was looking to get his name back out there. Once the UN came down on him, I felt he used a politically charged situation to put his name back out there and to give some serious press for the soon to be released Graceland. Might have been about the music before, but became more and more about Paul Simon and it's not like he was shying away from the spot light during it either.

Thing is, I honestly believe Paul had some insight about the situation. If there is one thing Paul isn't, it's ignorant. He is a very smart, educated and aware person and I felt he had some sort of insight on the situation. To say Paul thought about "nothing" is just too farfetched for me. He is too smart to have simply not thought of anything. Other artist knew the severity of the situation.

Would Graceland have been a hit without the conflict? Who knows, but it certainly help put his name back out there and to make him a house hold name again at a point where he could have fallen into obscurity. Would I have liked Graceland without the conflict? Yes, its fantastic. Would have been as big as it was without the conflict....maybe not.

Steve said they have talked but just can't settle their differences. He honestly thought after working on the Graceland documentary, there was some sort of mutual understanding between the two, but was just not happy about being edited down. There is more to this then he was willing to share with me I think.

DannyC
May-28-2014, 04:03 GMT
USA - United Staates America

BTW:

I agree, that interview was extremely biased. Clearly taking a shot at Simon and its not an interview I liked to read.

Yes, I can not think of a situation where Paul gave an interview where he bad mouthed others. However, there are plenty of accounts on a personal level, both famous and fans (myself included) where Paul was not the nicest person. I asked him a question and his response to me was "Who are you? Why should I answer that to you?". He is smart enough not to say anything in front of the cameras but while the cameras are off, he seems to be a different person. (Granted the mic when one of my encounters with him happened.)

I agree about Scarborough Fair situation, but its just something thats out there to think about.

Brenda
May-28-2014, 13:19 GMT
Australia

What was your question to Paul Danny that he was not too happy to answer? He could not have been nicer to us when we spoke at length to him last year after the Sydney concert,when he must have been exhausted ,and there were definitely no cameras present. In fact he went out of his way to turn around and walk over and talk to us for at least 10 minutes and sign autographs . Another friend had the same experience a few days later in New Zealand. Many PS fans I know have commented on how gracious he was to them and have great memories of conversations with Paul where he was genuinely interested in talking to them. Of course he may not always feel like answering questions or be having a bad day but hey don't we all feel like that sometimes.

Bodo
May-28-2014, 19:51 GMT
USA - United Staates America

I think I understand what you mean Danny.
I have no more insight on the situation - was that a question you asked him in a private situation (just two of you), or was it during a Q&A part of an interview?

I think I remember now..didnt you ask him what he think was his worst song ever written? (Or if he thinks he has ever written a bad song)...you maybe really got him on the wrong foot that time. But of course - he agree that he doesnt have to be nice all day and night. Still Heidi Berg claims that Paul has "stolen" the idea of recording those Graceland songs from her. In her perspective absolute true, in Pauls perspective maybe he just saw something that he wanted to do and Mrs. Berg never could have done, nor would there be any result up till today.
From a big perspective I do not believe Paul is the evil, he might take his chance of course and he knows when he is still right (no one ever filed a claim against him) - you see, Mark Zuckerberg is one of the big "stars" today, but his idea was completely stolen from guys who hired him to do that, and they sued him and got some money. Still no one is saying Mark Z. is an evil person, he is a visioner for most people.
So Steve is really angry about Paul, but why - because he recorded there and broke the boycott and made a lot of money of course? Most of the SA artists are not angry about Paul, they are good friends with him till today.

DannyC
May-29-2014, 03:24 GMT
USA - United Staates America

Yeah, we are beating this topic to death. Just expressing my unpopular opinion on it.

But yes Bodo, my first ever encounter was in a Q&A last year where I asked that question (phrased more politely then what you have) and thought after the fact it could have either been the wrong question to ask, or he was just having a bad day, but I have had the opportunity to meet him a few more times after at various places and he was just not very pleasant. Thankfully I work in radio in NYC so I have gotten the opportunity to get to see him several times in a work environment. He comes across as arrogant and above certain people, especially in a work environment. He tends to be very passive and just flat out ignores you when you attempt to speak to him.

On another instance, I got the opportunity to go back stage after one of the Sting/Simon shows. He went around the room I was in to greet and say a quick hello and he just flat out ignores me (thankfully he greeted my guest which was more important at the I reached out to shake his hand and he walks away. Maybe he just didn't notice, maybe he remembered who I am and just doesnt like me (doubtful he would remember who I am), but my impression of him as a person has changed and can see the negative side of his personality that other notable people in the industry have pointed out publicly.

Basically, the old saying "Never meet your heros" is 100% true. He was my hero. Thankfully bad personalities can't ruin beautiful songs.

DannyC
May-29-2014, 03:26 GMT
USA - United Staates America

On a side note. Happy Birthday Bodo!

DannyC
May-29-2014, 03:35 GMT
USA - United Staates America

On a side note. Happy Birthday Bodo!

Bodo
May-29-2014, 19:40 GMT
USA - United Staates America

Thanks Danny

Well yes, I agree with you, not very nice. (Maybe he really remembers you haha). There is nothing to defend.
But I also said before, I am sure I would not be a friend of Paul, he is a stranger.

Scaaty  
May-29-2014, 21:32 GMT
Ireland

Happy birthday Bodo hope it's a good one

Richard USVI
May-30-2014, 11:52 GMT
USA - Virgin Islands

I met him twice (once at a movie premiere and the second time at a gym) and he was very cordial and polite to me both times.

Ans
May-30-2014, 15:44 GMT
Netherlands

Happy belated birthday Bodo.

I also met him twice, once at a soundcheck and once at the tourbus, he was very nice to me and interested in what I had to say.

mog
May-30-2014, 16:40 GMT
Canada

And what did you have to say to him, Ans ?

Ans
May-30-2014, 20:49 GMT
Netherlands

It was at the Surprise Tour in Glasgow, november 2006. 7,5 years ago, unbelievable.... ;-) We (forum members) made him a scrapbook for his 65th birthday. It was a fun time, Bonnie organized it and gave it to someone to give it to Paul. She didn't know if he received so I thought I ask him about it.

I looked up what I wrote about the soundcheck in the old forum, they played some wonderful songs:

Graceland, Gumboots, Boy in the bubble, Outrageous, Train In The Distance, How can you live in the NE, Loves Me Like A Rock and they rehearsed a part of Mrs. Robinson which Paul wanted to change a little.

I wrote a review of the concert and meeting in the concert section.

Brenda
May-31-2014, 08:25 GMT
Australia

I also remember reading your post, on meeting Paul and listening to the soundcheck,on the S and G Board .A wonderful memory for you . Lovely to get the setlist too! Quite a few fans have good memories of talking with Paul. I remember Gerard telling me he had a great conversation with Paul after a show about Judith Pieppe who had moved to New Zealand. and who can forget Nancy's hug!

Bodo
May-31-2014, 16:22 GMT
USA - United Staates America

That is true, everyone around concerts has good experiences when talking to Paul.

It might be different in a working environment of course. Thats all just speculations, but he is a super-perfectionist, maybe very concentrated all day, and not open for a chat or even a nice "how are you". maybe he dislikes loosing time there, because many people want to talk to him. I see I am defending Paul of course, even if I do not know him haha.
When I take a look at his band members they are all very relaxed and easy to talk. I remember in Dublin 2011 there wasnt even an extra back entry for them, so Bakithi, Vincent and Andy where just waiting outside with the crowd and smoking a cigarette. But even they do not talk a lot to Paul. He is Mr. Alienation.

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