They’re still Feelin’ Groovy
06/16/2009 05:47 ПП | ArticlesThere is video footage of a much younger Simon & Garfunkel to start the show and then as the lights drop, silhouetted on the stage the two old friends stand together (but in so many ways apart) and sing Old Friends to rapturous applause.
The seven-piece band launches into Hazy Shade of Winter and I Am a Rock. This is all about the nostalgia; young and old are here to hear the soundtrack of more than one generation and through America, Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound and The Sounds Of Silence the folk- rock continues to roll.
A trip back to Hey Schoolgirl (the first song the duo wrote and performed together as “Tom & Jerry” fifty years ago) leads into Gene Vincent’s Be Bop A Lula, referencing the obvious influence.
Art Garfunkel announces, “aaah, Kiwis, one of the nicest types of people and one of the worst fruits”.
His singing voice is shot; frankly he’s struggling and his pre-show ritual appears to be 90 minutes with his finger in a light socket, judging by the thin carrot sprout of attempted afro.
His mid-set solo spot of four songs is probably three too many, but of course Bright Eyes wins most people over.
Paul Simon reappears to lead Garfunkel through a touching For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her and then it’s Simon’s turn. Me And Julio Down By The School Yard has the crowd - and the band - thriving.
He suddenly looks (and sounds) 20 years younger as he attacks the Graceland classics Boy In The Bubble and Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes. Garfunkel then returns to work through My Little Town and then Bridge Over Troubled Water.
The song was always going to be favourite but something amazing occurred: first Art took a verse; wobbly but well intentioned. Paul fared better until a technical glitch had his microphone pop and he carried on, at first oblivious that he was not being heard. The band continued and the audience, collectively, filled the void. Everyone from the stage looked out approvingly, thanking the audience for helping them through a tight spot.
When Garfunkel began to climb the gospel hill to one of pop’s most dramatic crescendos it was as if he was charged with the spirit of the audience; his face strained, his voice cracked but he was literally giving it his all, his every fibre flowed into the song that he first sang 40 years ago.
Following the standing ovation the band returned for encores of Cecilia and The Boxer and a naff but ultimately feel-good Feelin’ Groovy. The old friends - very much at arm’s length, like the bookends they sang about - might only be doing this for the money but you would not guess that from the looks on their faces at the end of delivering nearly 30 classic songs.
WHAT: Simon & Garfunkel
WHERE: Vector Arena, Auckland; Saturday and Sunday