Austin City Limits Web Exclusive: Paul Simon 'Spirit Voices'

Enjoy this bonus performance not included in television broadcast.

Paul Simon makes his debut performance on Austin City Limits. His episode premieres October 1, 2016 on PBS.

About the episode
Savor a career-spanning set from Paul Simon. The singer/songwriter legend performs his classics, songs from Graceland, Simon & Garfunkel tunes and tracks from his latest LP Stranger to Stranger.

About Austin City Limits
ACL offers viewers unparalleled access to featured acts in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable, full-length performances. The program is taped live before a concert audience from The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL is the longest-running music series in American television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. Since its inception, the groundbreaking music series has become an institution that's helped secure Austin's reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The historic KLRU Studio 6A, home to 36 years of ACL concerts, has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.

[Umbrella]

This song is stunning, the whole album this comes from is criminally underrated and a masterstroke!

[Al_Crego]

Paul Simon is the most amazing treasure and one to be absolutely cherished. This song and the entire 'Rhythm of the Saints' album are way beyond special. The beauty and sentiments within 'Spirit Voices' even makes me cry, now some thirty-four years after mom first shared this album, so enamored over this magical find.

" ... We join the fevers and the broken bones ... "

[qwqw]

Paul's best studio album. My favorite.

[asanteakan]

This is Ghana highlife music Yaa amponsah 🇬🇭.

[paulwalters]

Glad to hear one of my favourite songs played live. Superb. Thanks for sharing.

[kafuiamrago]

The original rhythm is of Ghanaian Highlife music origin. Title of the song is Yaa Amponsah recorded by Jacob Sam and the Kumasi Trio in 1928 under Zoonophone.

[arthurshepherd]

Bravo!!! Ultra Great Archangel Paul Simon you are a light unto the world that shines on 'Our' darkness and leads us out. How we worship and adore you you blessed brilliant beautiful beloved badass Angel of God. Kisses
Shawn Callie Arthur

[isaacfrimpongopuni]

Classical Ghanaian 🇬🇭Highlife rhythm 'Yaa Amponsah'. Beautiful!

[de-graftayitey]

This rhyme is originally from Ghana 🇬🇭, this rhyme is called " YAA AMPONSAH " actually pual came down to Ghana and requested for this rhyme.

[marianne]

Lyrics of "Spirit Voices"


Lyrics
We sailed up a river wide as a sea
And slept on the banks
On the leaves of a banyan tree
And all of these spirit voices rule the night

Some stories are magical, meant to be sung
Songs from the mouth of the river
When the world was young
And all of these spirit voices rule the night

By moon
We walk
To the brujo's door
Along a path of river stone
Women with their nursing children
Seated on the floor
We join the fevers
And the broken bones

The candlelight flickers
The falcon calls
A lime-green lizard scuttles down the cabin wall
And all of these spirit voices
Sing rainwater, sea water
River water, holy water
Wrap this child in mercy â?? heal her
Heaven's only daughter
All of these spirit voices rule the night

My hands are numb
My feet were lead
I drank a cup of herbal brew
The sweetness in the air
Combined with the lightness in my head
And I heard the jungle breathing in the bamboo

Saudocoes -- Greetings!
Da licenca um momento -- Excuse me, one moment
Te lembro -- I remind you
Que amanha -- That tomorrow
Sera tudo ou sera naoa -- It will be all or it will be nothing
Depende coracao -- It depends, heart
Sera breve ou sera grande -- It will be brief or it will be great
Depende da paixao -- It depends on the passion
Sera sujo, sera sonho -- It will be dirty, it will be a dream
Cuidado, coracao -- Be careful, heart
Sera util, sera tarde -- It will be useful, it will be late
Se esmera, coracao -- Do your best, heart
E confia -- And have trust
Na forca do amanha -- In the power of tomorrow

Lord of the earthquake
My trembling bed
The spider resumes the rhythm
Of his golden tread
And all of these spirit voices rule the night

[bacchantedryad]

Wonderfully magical and uplifting ... a superb performance of this enchanting song ... PS certainly gets my vote as the best songwriter (of all time?) - and I've lived most of my life (in the UK) between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool ... So, there are some strong contenders (obviously Moz fans would disagree with me/ditto those devoted to the Beatles ...). Nevertheless, that's my view - and I'm sticking to it!

[gmanhirt]

Interesting pickup configuration on that strat guitar, ,
Only a middle pickup, ,

[swift]

I guarantee Paul Simon never slept by a river on leaves

[bishlap]

where's mama pajama? I want my KODACHROME!!! What is this???