httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDl3bdE3YQA
T I was, sitting in my chair at the Long Center on Tuesday evening, mentally composing my review of Steve Martin’s and the Steep Canyon Rangers’ performance, as comfy as Rory McIlroy sitting on a fat lead at the British Open, when Martin blew up my story with three little words: “Mr. Paul Simon.”
Perhaps it should not have been such a surprise – Edie Brickell, who also goes by the title Mrs. Paul Simon, was touring with Martin in support of their Grammy-winning album, “Love Has Come For You” – but to the best of my knowledge it was the first time Simon has set foot on an Austin-area stage since at least 2011.
Simon’s cameo was a dead-solid treat, but the remainder of the evening belonged to Martin, Brickell and the rock-solid ensemble work of the Steep Canyon Rangers.
“Jubilation Day”, Martin’s warm, Irish-flavored solo number “Gentleman Peter” and the runaway breakdown of “Auden’s Train” and “Pretty Little One” were all standouts.
Curling her southern lilt around wonderful lines like, “When you get to Asheville/Send me an e-mail” and the title track to her and Martin’s album, “Love Has Come For You,” she was a wonderful counterpoint to Martin’s humor and the band’s fleet-fingered instrumental prowess.
Brickell and Martin are also collaborating on a musical, “Bright Star,” which is set to open in San Diego in September.