Paul Simon And Lindsey Buckingham Go for Laughs on ‘Saturday Night Live’
Music fans got a double dose of fun on this past weekend's edition of 'Saturday Night Live,' which featured musical guest Paul Simon and a surprise visit from Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham. Simon, who was promoting his newly released 'So Beautiful or So What' album, performed two songs from the new record.
It wasn't all about promoting the new record for the veteran singer-songwriter, who has been closely associated with the legendary late night sketch comedy show since its earliest days. He once again found time to participate in the comedy side of the program, appearing as a guest on the recurring fictional BET talk show 'What's Up With That.'
The same sketch frequently features SNL's Bill Haden performing as Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, a long-suffering third guest who never gets to speak. Well, in this week's episode, Buckingham finally got his moment thanks to the real Lindsey Buckingham, who made a surprise appearance.
Rather than trying his hand at joke-telling, Buckingham let his guitar handle the conversation with a bit of trademark acoustic guitar soloing ala 'Big Love.' in a moment that seemed to literally make Simon's jaw drop.
Buckingham, who has been increasingly prolific in recent years, recently wrapped up work on his third solo album of the past six years. Buckingham says that the record, 'Seeds We Sow,' which is set for release in September, is similar in tone to his 1992 solo album 'Out Of The Cradle.'
He doesn't seem too concerned with the album's hit potential. "I don't think anyone's gonna take that for a radio song," Buckingham said of the title track, "because it's just voice and acoustic guitar -- and there's a lot of that on the record." 'Seeds We Sow' was recorded in his home studio, with Buckingham playing the bulk of the instruments himself. A cover of 'She Smiled Sweetly' by the Rolling Stones also appears on 'Seeds We Sow.'
Fleetwood Mac will continue to work together, according to Buckingham, who noted that the iconic rock band is label-free after more than 40 years on Warner Brothers. Lindsey himself is stepping outside of the Warner Brothers umbrella with 'Seeds We Sow," which he plans to release either independently or on a new label.
Simon, meanwhile is spotlighting 'So Beautiful or So What' with a series of tour dates offering a rare opportunity to catch Simon performing both hits and material from the new album in small clubs and theaters.
Watch 'What's Up With That' with Paul Simon and Lindsey Buckingham