Even Paul Simon Himself Was Moved By This Majestic Rendition Of “The Boxer” By James Taylor And Alison Krauss
The 2002 Kennedy Center Honors Gala was a memorable evening, celebrating the achievements of icons like Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones, Chita Rivera, James Levine, and Paul Simon.
Among the varied performances, Steve Martin’s introduction of Paul Simon and a rendition of Simon’s “The Boxer” by James Taylor and Alison Krauss were easily the talk of the town.
“The pattern is always the same: a speech by a colleague of the honoree, a short filmed biography, and then tribute performances by lesser stars — bracketed by two standing ovations for whoever’s being honored,” the moment, captured by The Washington Post.
While Taylor and Krauss might not share Simon’s level of fame, their performance was anything but lesser in quality. You can check them out below:
Their collaborative cover of “The Boxer” showcased a beautiful harmony between Taylor’s seasoned voice and Krauss’s ethereal tones.
Listener Jim Hansen expressed on YouTube, “I love James Taylor and Paul Simon with every fiber of my being, but Alison Kraus, wow.
Every song she sings she makes it sound like it was made just for her to sing in that angelic voice of hers. Hearing her voice literally brings tears of emotion and joy.”
Another listener, James Ryan, praised Krauss: “Alison is one of the finest voices in the business and a fantastic musician, this is a great version.”
The Washington Post commended the duo’s performance as “haunting,” though it critiqued other renditions of Simon’s work less favorably.
However, Steve Martin’s humorous and insightful introduction later in the evening was highlighted as a moment that truly enlivened the gala, which you can watch here:
For those who are yet to be acquainted with Alison Krauss, she reigns supreme in the realms of bluegrass and country music.
Her voice has graced the soundtracks of notable films such as “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “Cold Mountain,” and several collaborations with rock legend Robert Plant.
Their joint albums, “Raising Sand” (2007) and “Raise The Roof” (2021), have captivated audiences worldwide, with “Raising Sand” clinching the Album of the Year award at both the Americana Music Honors Awards in 2008 and the Grammy Awards in 2009.
Meanwhile, “The Boxer” is an introspective reflection by none other than Paul Simon himself. In a candid interview with Playboy magazine in 1984, Simon revealed the song as an allegory of his metaphorical fights with music critics who began to challenge his artistic integrity in the late ’60s.
He admitted, “I think the song was about me. Everybody’s beating me up, by that time we had encountered our first criticism. [Critics realized] maybe we weren’t real folkies at all!” A bizarre take by the musician, but an interesting one nonetheless.
Notably, Krauss and Taylor’s rendition of “The Boxer” is a bit shorter than the original, a common practice for performances at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Funnily enough, Paul Simon was a last-ditch addition to the honorees’ list, stepping in for Paul McCartney, who had other commitments that evening.
Thankfully, the evening was saved by the comedic grace of Steve Martin and the emotionally charged performance by Alison Krauss and James Taylor, which deeply touched Simon.
Paul Simon’s latest musical venture includes “Seven Palms,” which has swiftly ascended the ranks of numerous “Best Album of 2003” lists, proudly claiming the #2 spot in Uncut Magazine.
For more enchanting melodies and updates from Paul Simon, you can subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow him on Facebook and his official website.