In this article we're going to review one of the most famous reunion concerts in pop history, the reunion of Simon and Garfunkel in Central Park. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were one of the biggest singing duos in the late 60s and early 70s. To understand why this concert was so important one first needs to know about the events that led up to it. Right after their recording of their landmark album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" Simon and Garfunkel had a huge falling out. In a nutshell, Paul Simon felt he didn't get the credit he deserved for their Grammy winning title song from that album. Because Paul Simon actually wrote the tune he felt that he should be the one identified with it. But because of Art Garfunkel's incredible vocals Paul Simon was always overshadowed even though he was the creative force behind the duo's success. This became quite evident after their breakup when Garfunkel's music career fizzled and Simon's took off. There was a period of time when people felt these two would never speak to each other again. It was more than ten years after their breakup that Paul Simon finally approached Art Garfunkel and asked him if he would consider getting together to do a concert in Central Park in New York City. Quite honestly, Simon never expected Garfunkel to agree but he did. The rest is history. So on September 19, 1981, Simon and Garfunkel played together for the first time in over 10 years in front of more than 500,000 people in Central Park. This is more people than attended Woodstock, just so you understand the significance of this event. The duo had a pretty decent backing band as well. They had Steve Gadd and Grady Tate on drums, David Brown and Pete Carr on guitars, Anthony Jackson on bass, Richard Tee on keyboards, Rob Mounsey on synthesizers, John Gatchell and John Eckert on trumpets and Dave Tofani and Gerry Niewood on saxophones. This tight bunch of musicians put on a performance that for those in attendance will never be forgotten. The truth is, anything these two would have sang together would have been a treat but the highlights were nothing short of the best these two had to offer. The concert started with one of their greatest songs and Grammy winner, "Mrs. Robinson." Two songs later they came through with "America" which got an ovation that had to be heard in New Jersey. Other highlights included "Homeward Bound", "The Sounds Of Silence", "American Tune", a solo Simon effort from 1973, "The Boxer" and of course the great "Bridge Over Troubled Water" which swept the Grammy awards show broadcast in 1971. Simon also did a few more of his solo efforts including "Still Crazy After All These Years", "Late In The Evening", "Kodachrome", "Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover," and "Slip Slidin Away." For 500,000 people it was a once in a lifetime experience. Simon and Garfunkel were back together again...at least for one glorious day. |
