The Concert in Central Park [LIVE]

Simon & Garfunkel

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: February 1982
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002KNI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,045 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
You can almost hear Simon & Garfunkel begin to like each other again on this now-legendary set. On September 19, 1981, the duo reunited for just the second time since their initial breakup and revealed a camaraderie that had apparently vanished years earlier. Not only do they reprise their shared hits, they also work in a few of Paul Simon's solo gems and a couple of telling covers--one from the Everly Brothers and one from Chuck Berry. The band includes the best session men around. By the time they get to the sincerity of "Old Friends" and the joy of "The 59th Street Bridge Song," you sense a relationship fully repaired. After this success, they even planned a studio record together--one that eventually became Simon's overlooked Hearts and Bones--few were surprised when it did not come to pass. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description
Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Live Album I Have Ever Heard, September 17, 2002

By	Dom Miliano (Denville, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

The sound quality for live albums is either great or awful - seldom is there middle ground. These 2 guys are such absolute perfectionists, you would guess that the sound would be excellent - and it is. But the choice of songs, the world-class back up band and the tight Simon and Garfunkel vocals are the real draw for me. I really like the fact that they don't do note-for-note copies of their album takes on these well-known songs. There are enough twists here and there to keep the songs fresh and interesting. Also, the fact that this disk perfectly captures an event that could have only happened in NYC doesn't hurt. I find it hard to believe that this all happened over 20 years ago. If you like these guys even a little bit, have a listen, you might just like what you hear.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Best imbibed in other ways, December 18, 2001

By	kennedy19 "kennedy19" (wakefield, ma USA) - See all my reviews

Simon and Garfunkel were one of popular music's finest acts; their sixties canon is as impressive as any, thanks to Paul Simon's incredible songwriting talent and Art Garfunkel's evocative tenor harmonies. In the seventies, Simon showed himself to be a solo artist of great distinction. Then in 1981, Simon had plans to do a solo concert in Central Park and somehow it turned into a S&G reunion: one which never went any further than this concert, as no new duo projects were forthcoming. Thus, what we get is a curious mix of a Simon solo concert with Garfunkel contributing, and a S&G nostalgia walk down memory lane. The large band that plays behind them in this extravaganza is top notch, but it is evident from the filmed footage of the concert (with terrible makeup jobs on the stars) that Paul and Art aren't really relating to each other; they chat with the band or the audience but barely look at each other in between the numbers, and seem ill at ease sharing the stage. Still, they turn in professional performances of most of their big hits, along with many of Simon's seventies tunes. I guess the overall feeling I get from this album is that it might have been fun to be in the audience at this show, but if I want to hear Simon and Garfunkel I would much rather listen to their original recordings. The live versions contribute nothing to the songs that isn't on their original records (except maybe the live energy of Simon's 70s rocker "Late in the Evening" and the extra harmony Garfunkel adds to "Slip Sliding Away"; this is also a good place to hear Art's beautiful solo song "A Heart in New York.") Instead of this ephemeral product, I suggest you get a copy of their box set "Old Friends" which showcases their growth, both live and in the studio, through the period of their true collaboration. (The box set also has superb sound quality.)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant and awesome, November 26, 1999

By	slakhead (United States of America) - See all my reviews

This whole CD is breathtaking. I have never heard such a powerful collection of words and chords before and i dont believe i ever will. Paul Simon has a voice that was meant to sooth and empathize. Art Garfunkel almost seems like he isnt there. Thats how good he is. The harmony is brilliant. I still listen to this album every day and wish I could find America...This is an album to own. This is something you will cherish and keep.