You Can Call Me Al: Stephen Colbert Welcomes "The World's Preeminent Paul Simon Tribute Band," Troubled Waters as First Late Show Musical Guest
"Throughout its storied three-year existence, Troubled Waters has emerged as the world's preeminent Paul Simon tribute band, attracting a passionate fan following in multiple states. Evoking the heavenly vocals, poignant lyrics, and sensible wardrobe of the greatest Folk-Rock artist of all time. Troubled Waters has taken every effort to mimic that classic P-Sim sound, withe exception of some of the more complex arrangements on Graceland," reads the brief artist biography on mysterious Late Show with Stephen Colbert inaugural week guests, Troubled Waters. "So sit back, feel groovy, and remember what the man himself said: "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls, and whispered in the sound... of Troubled Waters," the band's rather sparse website continues, making a few clever allusions to "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and Simon solo hit "Feelin' Groovy." While it was widely assumed to be an intricate joke upon its initial pre-airdate August 24th announcement, Colbert's first musical guest Troubled Waters were speculated to be either "a reunited Pavement or sort-of-actual-Paul-Simon-tribute-act Vampire Weekend" by the diligent sleuthing writers over at Stereogum. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's first self-proclaimed "Friday show ever" featured vastly different, yet equally great, guests comedienne Amy Schumer and Stephen King during it's first half; "I've always wanted to do the whistling solo to "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard" and so, I called Paul Simon... and he said, 'I will not do that with you.' Have you ever met him?" Colbert angrily asked Troubled Waters frontman Alan. "Technically, no," he replied, after which he added, "you know, Paul Simon is a bit of a jerk," after being further prodded by host Stephen Colbert. Troubled Waters then ripped through a spirited, laid back rendition of Simon's 1972 hit (re-released in '88) "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard," which was accompanied by Colbert's drunk 20-something-esque dance moves, feverish whistling, and spot-on closing verse lead vocals.