Paul Simon

Paul Simon

Paul Simon -- whose sound stretches to Africa, the swamps of Louisiana and beyond -- is a musical citizen of the world.

So when Simon stood center stage at the Upper West Side's Beacon Theatre on Tuesday night, shielded by an acoustic guitar, you believed him when he nervously smiled and said, "It's a little unnerving and exhilarating to be playing in my exact neighborhood."

Yeah, Simon was home, and he celebrated with a two-hour set that touched on every phase of his career, from the very early folk-rock classics to the music from his sterling, just-released solo record, "So Beautiful or So What."

Eugene Gologursky

Paul Simon, 69, draws from albums new and old to impress fans in his old 'hood.

Despite Simon's age -- he turns 70 in October -- his voice still has the force of youth, and he hits the high notes effortlessly (although his old partner Art Garfunkel hit even higher notes with the same ease). In short, Simon was outstanding at this enthusiastic performance.

As good as his vocals were and as tightly as his eight-man backing band played, Simon made the show even better with a set list that seemed as if it were put together by an old FM radio deejay linking song themes.

After the old Jimmy Cliff anti-war tune "Vietnam," with Simon singing, " 'Don't be alarmed,' she told me the telegram said, 'but Mistress Brown your son is dead,' " he connected the dots to his own "Mother and Child Reunion" in the very next tune.

Simon sang half the new record, and those songs, especially "Rewrite," were well-received. Yet judging by the cheers and applause, the music from "Graceland" topped this gig and easily provided the night's hottest, liveliest moments.

Simon finished the show with "Still Crazy After All These Years" -- but if anything, this guy is still incredible after all these years.

The people who made music in the Sixties are ...well, Paul Simon turns 70 this year.

For me, the answer to the question is Simon's new release "So Beautiful or So What." This is music that stands up well against Simon's best work, and that's saying something. Actually, I regard Simon as perhaps the one modern pop artist who has never had a lull.  His two least-embraced albums, "One-Trick Pony " and "Hearts and Bones," are full of great material. "Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After The War" is one of the most beautiful and imaginative songs Simon ever wrote. I've only been through three times, so I'm not going to discuss it song by song. (Also, one is a little intimidated by the perspicacity and eloquence of the linernotes writer, one Elvis Costello.) What is our love in the spiraling chasm of the universe?

Natasha Bedingfield

Natasha Bedingfield is back on Studio10! Last time she sat down to talk with Cherish and Joe and also performed her single "Strip Me." This time she's talking about a talent search for the next big singing sensation.
Generations of women around the globe are connected by common interests and causes. In celebration of their 125th Anniversary, they are inviting women all around the world to raise their voices in song by joining their first-ever global singing talent search. The next amazing voice could be from your city or town. Alongside celebrity judges, including Natasha Bedingfield, Fergie and Shelia E., the public is invited to pull up a virtual seat at the judges table and help make two dreams come true. Created from an ongoing mission of improving the lives of women inside and out, Avon Voices aims to inspire and empower millions by sharing the personal stories and talent of mothers, daughters and sisters around the world. Every vote counts, so make your voice heard.

Here's information provided to Studio10 about Natasha Bedingfield:
Natasha Bedingfield has a gift for creating heartfelt, dynamic pop anthems. From her very first album, 2004's Unwritten, she has crafted thoughtful, irresistible music and captured the hearts of fans all over the world.
Unwritten debuted at number one on the UK album chart, and sold over two million copies worldwide. Natasha co-wrote and co-produced her sophomore album, Pocketful of Sunshine, which debuted at the number three spot on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart.  The highest chart debut of Natasha's career.
The release of her latest album, Strip Me, communicates especially meaningful messages for today's troubling times. Although the title of the album is provocative, the songs underscore Natasha's beliefs about basic human desires that connect people in all corners of the globe.
Natasha is an ambassador for the international children's charity, Global Angels.

Since 2004, singer songwriter Natasha Bedingfield has filled American airwaves with catchy hits like,"Pocket Full of Sunshine" and "Unwritten," a song that earned the South London native her first Grammy nomination.

In June, she begins a 29-city tour of the United States in support of her third album entitled, "Strip Me". The British beauty joined "The Early Show" at the Tower of London to perform her new single, "Weightless," and her huge hit, "Unwritten."

Bedingfield actually performed for Prince William and Kate Middleton back in 2007 at the Concert for Diana, which marked the 10th anniversary of her death.

"Amazing. He's so sweet and charming," Bedingfield gushed. "He definitely has... you could definitely understand why people are so captivated by him and Kate. They've got some kind of magic."

"Early Show" co-anchor Erica Hill asked.

Bedingfield thinks London is handling all the royal wedding hoopla and the invasion of over 1 million people very well indeed.

It's a great city. Bedingfield brings us back to her hit song, "Unwritten":