Review: Paul Simon’s ‘Quiet Celebration’ is a night to lean into his music

At Symphony Center, Paul Simon brings quiet reflections, greatest hits to his first tour in 7 years

Paul Simon may have broken the record for standing ovations Wednesday night at Symphony Center. The first was simply for stepping out on a Chicago stage for the first time in seven years. Since launching a farewell tour in 2018 and subsequently settling into retirement, the 83-year-old folk-pop legend has been battling a severe case of hearing loss, making it nearly impossible to continue his craft. Overcoming that feat alone makes this year’s A…

Review: Paul Simon’s ‘Quiet Celebration’ is a night to lean into his music

“We are in a conversation,” a gracious Paul Simon announced Wednesday at the first of a three-night stand at Symphony Center, a proper location for his “Quiet Celebration” tour. And what a memorable conversation it was. Opening the two-set concert with a full performance of “Seven Psalms,” his 2023 album comprised of a continuous suite of seven songs, Simon presented a fearless meditation on mystery, mortality and the great beyond. Those weighty…