Renowned filmmaker Alex Gibney has recently released a documentary titled “Seven Psalms” that delves into the life and music of legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon. The film, which captures the essence of Simon’s career through a blend of interviews, archival footage, and live performances, has been receiving rave reviews from critics and fans alike.
Gibney, known for his investigative documentaries on controversial subjects, took a different approach with “Seven Psalms” by focusing on the love and bitterness intertwined in Simon’s music. The film showcases the ebb and flow of time and memory, happiness and sadness, all encapsulated in Simon’s poetic lyrics and melodies.
The inspiration for “Seven Psalms” came to Simon in a dream back in 2019, leading to a journey of rehearsing and recording the album in various locations with the help of his wife, musician Edie Brickell. Gibney meticulously curated hours of audiotapes, archival footage, and photos to create a comprehensive portrait of Simon’s life and career.
The documentary also sheds light on interesting trivia, such as actor Charles Grodin directing a Simon and Garfunkel documentary in 1969 and later appearing as a Garfunkel impersonator alongside Simon on “Saturday Night Live.” The film features a plethora of Simon’s iconic songs, with notable performances like Aretha Franklin’s cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Despite Simon’s extensive discography, some fan-favorite songs like “Kodachrome” did not make the final cut due to the film’s runtime constraints. Gibney expressed his admiration for Simon’s music, describing the project as a labor of love and a refreshing departure from his usual documentary subjects.
“Seven Psalms” offers a poignant and insightful look into the life and music of Paul Simon, showcasing the enduring legacy of one of the most beloved songwriters of our time.
