On Wednesday night I enjoyed Paul Simon perform in concert at the iconic Forest Hills tennis venue, along with fellow Gothamites Robert Intelisano and Corey Bearak.   

The venue, situated in Forest Hills Gardens, provided the stellar backbone for the night.  As background, it is a venerable horseshoe shaped, 14,000 seat, former tennis stadium which was constructed over a 100 years ago and is still functional as a music venue, residing in the historic Forest Hills Gardens residential Tudor enclave.  All of which was a feast for my eyes!  

Because of the unique residential location, all shows are required to end at 10:00 PM sharp.

This visit was a repeat of our 2024 experience and we again dined at Robert's favorite Tuscan Hills restaurant on Queens Blvd pre concert, but the real feast was the venue and concert. 
 

Simon resumed concert performances this year after an 8 year hiatus due to hearing problems.  He is now nearly 85 years old and the years have not been kind to his voice.  Just as in the case of Willie Nelson (93) and most recently, Paul McCartney (84).  

The unexpected, under the radar star of the show was Simon's 60 year old third wife Edie Brickell (New Bohemians) who, at times, gave him vocal support and cover, plus excelling in an under appreciated music form, whistling (as in "Dock on the Bay").  Edie's whistling segment, to me, was show stopping.  Who knew!

Another positive was Simon's between song story telling, the best of which was, when they were starting out, he and Art Garfunkel were sitting in a car on his street smoking pot and listening to the radio when their song came on.  

The packed house enjoyed the show and were pulling for him as they sang along in support and nostalgic memory.  

There was a second show last night, rain was forecast, and, at this writing, I can't imagine how Paul will hold up.  The last song of his encore (at 9:56) was "Sound of Silence" and maybe there was an unintended message in his fitting finale...

PS: We missed Paul Napolitano who was with us 2 years ago when Neil Young (and Crazy Horse) sang in the rain in a far better show!