MGM+ recently released a documentary titled In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, which took a closer look at the life and career of Paul Simon. The second part of this project will come out later this month.
Per an MGM+ press release, the synopsis of In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon reads, “It is the definitive musical biography of Paul Simon, one of the greatest songwriters (and performers) in the history of rock ‘n roll. Granted unprecedented access to the making of a new album, the filmmakers also show never-before-seen footage of Simon’s extraordinary career, from Simon & Garfunkel to the phenomenal global success of Simon’s solo album Graceland.”
It continues, “The docuseries juxtaposes Simon’s process of making a new album during the COVID-19 pandemic against archival material tracing Simon’s career and creative journey, including revelatory, previously unseen footage from such historic moments as the recording of Bridge Over Troubled Water and Graceland, Simon & Garfunkel’s unforgettable reunion concert in Central Park, and, 10 years later, Simon’s solo concert there, where he performed before 750,000 people.”
American singer-songwriter Paul Simon is no stranger to fame and glory. Even though he has released several hit solo albums, he is best known for his collaboration with Art Garfunkel. Together, Simon & Garfunkel has released five full-length albums and has earned seven Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, they split in 1970, but their songs like “Mrs. Robinson,” “Scarborough Fair/Canticle, “The Sound of Silence” remain popular even to this day.
Currently aged 82, his latest album, Seven Psalms, was released on May 19, 2023. This was his 15th solo full-length album and received favorable reviews.
When will In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon Pt. 2 come out?
The second part of In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon will release on March 24, 2024, at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT.
The documentary’s first part revealed some unknown facts about Simon & Garfunkel. According to USA Today, the duo used unconventional methods to produce their music. This involved using pots and pans as percussion and recording music beneath an elevator shaft. Furthermore, they recorded harmonies in an echo chamber.
Paul Simon stated that several song lyrics were even made on the spot. Even though Art Garfunkel declined to participate in this project, his presence was thoroughly felt in the first part. Viewers also learned that Simon was suffering from hearing problems.
In an earlier conversation with Deadline, this documentary’s director, Alex Gibney, revealed how the idea behind the project came into being. He stated, “[Paul] had reached out to me, he had seen the Sinatra film and wondered if I might be interested in doing a film about his overall career. And of course, I was interested in that.”
He further recalled, “But the gift was when he called me up and said, ‘I’m making this new album. Would you like to come watch me make it?’ And that was a gift because it was him in the present working on something. I could see him working on it. And also because it’s a meditation on belief and life and death, it seemed appropriate to move back and forth in time to earlier moments in his career.”
Some of Paul Simon’s most popular solo albums are Graceland, Songs from The Capeman, Surprise, and more.
