Paul Simon and Fred Armisen Promote Simon’s New Album in New York
Paul Simon has been busy promoting his first album in five years titled Stranger to Stranger. Recently, he teamed up with Fred Armisen of Portlandia fame at the New York Auto Show to talk about it for a short sketch.
The odd duo of Simon and Armisen starred in a Saturday Night Live sketch that, according to Billboard, “raises as many questions as it answers.” In the sketch, which premiered on SNL‘s official website, the duo sat down for a rather awkward interview, where Simon had a hard time explaining why he was there.
“I was sitting in the backseat of a car the first time I ever heard Elvis Presley,” said Simon, who mentioned that cars are good for transporting groceries and records.
Rolling Stone reported that Armisen then went on to mention the new album, which is ready for release on June 3.
“Well, I don’t want to look like I’m selling,” said the gray-haired singer.
“Yes, but why did you want to do this video if you don’t want to look like you’re selling?” Armisen shot back.
“That’s a good point,” Simon replied.
Whitney McIntosh of Uproxx, noted that the singer, responsible for hits such as “You Can Call Me Al” and “Kodachrome,” was shamelessly promoting the album, but still found the sketch entertaining nonetheless.
“Practically no one hosts the show or performs as a musical guest without having something to promote,” said McIntosh, who noted that because Simon wasn’t the musical guest, it made the sketch funnier.
Later, Paul Simon and Fred Armisen took questions from the audience about if consumers can find Audi A3 hybrids in the U.S. and about their first cars.
“My first car was a used ’58 red Impala convertible with triple carburetors. Burned to the ground, unfortunately,” said Simon. “Caught fire while I was in it.”
“Throughout, Simon’s comedic timing and tone is impressive, leaving the audience wondering whether or not he’s serious at all,” said Colin Stutz of Billboard.
At the end of the clip, the duo sat in a red Koenigsegg Regera, worth $2 million, while the 74-year-old musician told a story namedropping the Dalai Lama in the process.
“The Dalai Lama said to me at one point, ‘You know, Mao Zedong once said to me…'” said Simon. “And I said, ‘That’s it man, you win.'”
In a recent article for The New York Times, where Stranger to Stranger was reviewed, Paul Simon spoke about his fondness for vinyl and the goal he has in mind for making albums.
“To make a pop record, if you don’t make it really interesting, nobody’s going to listen to it,” said Simon, whose recent albums have been described as “experimental.”
Further, the album features tracks tackling all sorts of messages. The opening track “The Werewolf,” targets the wealthy getting wealthier, while “Wristband,” is a metaphor for privilege. “The Riverbank,” tells the story of a funeral for a solider who committed suicide.
He continued, “The songs often stretch beyond pop’s typical four minutes and take startling (but in the end logical) twists.”
Chris Walker of Westword, attended Paul Simon’s show at Denver’s Bellco Theater on Friday where the audience welcomed his diverse song choices, as well as fan favorites like “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” and “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”
“What’s remarkable about Simon is that he still pushes as hard as ever – with an almost masochistic focus – to stay fresh and to surprise,” said Walker.
[Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP]
