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Simon And Garfunkel - The Concert In Central Park [1981]


RRP: £7.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

What started as a suggestion for Paul Simon to play a concert in New York's Central Park blossomed, on September 19, 1981, into a full-blown Simon and Garfunkel reunion after an 11-year hiatus, and now proves a priceless snapshot of two of America's greatest folk-rock performers. (It's also the rightful bookend to Simon and Garfunkel's acoustic Live from New York City, 1967.) Performed with a who's-who of East Coast session aces before a record-setting crowd of half-a-million fans, the Concert in Central Park finds its stars just shy of their 40th birthdays and very much in their primes, their voices sweet and pure and their playing relaxed, perfectly in tune and in synch.

The show features a mix of S&G and solo Simon tunes, including all the songs that appear on the CD, with the addition of a reprise of "Late in the Evening" and the first live performance of Simon's "The Late Great Johnny Ace". This is classic material from start to finish, 87 minutes of unmitigated beauty. --Michael Mikesell


Not as good as the rest say
Review date: 2008-07-21 Rating: 4 out of 10

I am a fan and always will be,and I dont mind raw footage but the quality on this realy lets it down

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Reviews


Absolutely essential
Review date: 2007-07-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

This concert record on 19th September 1981 reunited Simon & Garfunkel in front of a crowd of 400,000, and its one of the best concerts ever recorded. You'll know this if you've only ever heard the audio CD, which is worth getting in its own right. However to see, as well as hear, the great music made that night makes this something special.

There are a number of things that make this concert great. Firstly of course theres Paul Simons great songs. Mrs Robinson, Homeward Bound, Still Crazy, Fifty Ways, Bridge Over Troubled Water, the list of fabulous songs goes on and on. At the time of this recording Paul Simon hadn't really recorded a bad album and if anything the material he wrote in the 1970's was as good if not better than the 1960's material. Secondly there was the magical combination of their voices. They were just meant to sing together. I have no idea whether they understood what they were singing in terms of harmony but somehow it just worked.

The last thing that makes this concert great is the band playing. This was essentially Paul Simons touring band of the time, so you get Steve Gadd and Grady Tate on drums, Anthony Jackson on Bass, Richard Tee on Keyboards plus a great brass section. These guys are great players in their own right so on tracks like 'Me & Julio' and 'Late in the Evening' the whole park is rocking.

If never seen or heard this concert you're missing an absolute treat. Buy now!

A Poet and a........
Review date: 2007-05-19 Rating: 10 out of 10


This concert finds Garfunkel still in the mindset of the folkie sitting in the park, whilst Simon is feeling the vibes and the drums of the rock n roll though is still touched by what he wrote prior. The result... One of the finest concerts you are every likely to see/hear (and that includes Dylan @ Free Trade Hall in 66'!).

The tenderness, pronunciation, togetherness, symbolism, and virtosity of Simon and Garfunkel takes the breath away and leaves you transfixed.

The set list is superb, each song bounces off each other as it slides from tender love songs with rich Paul Simon inspired symbolism to up tempo, toe tapping rock and roll numbers such as 'Late in the Evening'.

I don't sign up to the mindset of Simon being cynical toward Art, both have a genuine warmth and respect which is undying. This can be seen when Art jumps the gun on the second line of 'Homeward Bound', Paul smiles warmly at him and they both slot right back into harmony.

An essential DVD for any Simon and/or Garfunkel fan and essential for even the slightly curious.





Visions slowly creeping, left its seeds while I was sleeping ...
Review date: 2006-07-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

And the vision planted in my brain, still remains! I only dropped a 5-spot for this grand concert in Central Park (at Target even)? WHAT A FRIGGIN' DEAL - I have already watched it 7 or 8 times and I'm just getting started (how much was a ticket to this event?). Many of these songs evoke memories of The Graduate of course (that's cool, great movie), but to people who were children when these albums first came out in the 60's, WHAT A NOSTALGIA TRIP! Planted in my brain, still remains...I'll say! No one dares disturb the sounds of silence when the classics are lovingly presented by these two brilliant musicians (obviously this song, in the encore, had a huge imact). Special mention should be made of Steve Gadd on drums and the many excellent lesser known pros filling out the show (Nice electric guitar work, etc.), the presentation and production are first rate. Highlights: Homeward Bound, America, Scarborough Fair, April Come She Will...just beautiful, Bridge Over Troubled Water...unreal, 50 ways to Leave Your Lover...sharp, The Boxer...a true highlight - I can listen to it endlessly. Encores: The Sound of Silence (the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls...people hearing, but not listening?)...The fans are transfixed by this gorgeous song. Then the lighthearted Late in the Evening...what a great night in Central Park and gift to the many, many fans. Yes this concert, though a little short at 88 minutes, is a delight to say the least. I should take up Karaoke just to sing songs like this and develop the heavenly harmonies that flow like water here. This is really fun to sing, drum and play guitar with if you are so inclined. A bridge over troubled water? The waters part for this and no bridge is needed. Enjoy this rare event!



Still brilliant after all these years
Review date: 2006-03-03 Rating: 8 out of 10

The music on the dvd is almost pure S & G. (Some minor musical alterations were included, the obvious detremental one being the jazzed up piano on Bridge Over Troubled Water...a classic peice of music doesn't need jazzing up)

You will be able to sing along to all the songs, re-capturing all the smells,sounds and culture of S&G's heydays OR you can just quietly listen, letting the classic words evoke life's memories.

Paul and Art start this concert behaving rather coldly towards each other. As the concert progresses, they visibly warm to each other and eventually drop all barriers and inhibitions as the penny drops that they are what they are because of each other. This bonding throughout the dvd is almost a tiny love story within itself. You cannot help but feel good as they loosen up to produce touching renditions of famous songs.

Highly recommended for S&G fans and to show any of our children just how skillful, innovative and influencial this pairing were/are.

Product Details/Specifications


Artist(s):
Simon & Garfunkel

Recording label: Sony Bmg
Manufacturer: Sony Bmg
EAN: 0886972863191
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Live, PAL,
Release date: 2008-03-31
Universal product code (UPC): 886972863191
Audience rating: Exempt
Region code: 2
Running time: 86 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2003-11-03
Language: English (Original Language)

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