Concert in Central Park [Live]

Simon & Garfunkel | Format: Audio Cassette

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (October 17, 1990)
• Format: Live
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002KNJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,315 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 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
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Concert in Central Park (Audio CD)

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.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Such split feelings...., August 19, 2001

By 

erictheb "erictheb" (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Concert in Central Park (Audio CD)

Even with repeated listenings, I can not escape this feeling of being filled with opposing vibes, both very strong. On one side, the very idea of S&G re-forming after a decade apart (not including the brief '75 thing), in their backyard of Central Park in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans brought up strong feelings of nostalgia and joy. Their voices sound great, and in my opinion Art's angelic tones subtly steal the show. In fact, Art seems to be the class act here.

On the other end of the spectrum, a few things weigh down this disc and keep it from being a true classic; hindsight tells its own story. The set is dominated by Paul's solo material, which tells who the decision maker here is. His overly cool comments add nothing between the songs. In my opinion, Art is more like a guest here than an equal, which is a misuse of talent and chemistry.

The weakest link here is the backing band. Simon's jazzier leanings and world-music-headed arrangements change S&G's celestial folk/pop classics into Paul Simon solo material, much too airy and lacking in weight and substance. Some say the sound is a victim of its 1981 vintage but I beg to differ. Tinkly electric piano dominates the whole show, even on (wha?) Bridge Over Troubled Water! I mean, no real piano could be brought in? Sorry, can't play that.

In retrospect, it's easy to see it all as a marketing ploy for Paul who at the time needed a jolt to his career. The reunion album never came to pass....Maybe Art wanted a real piano? In summary, pleasant but not essential or classic.

16 of 19 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

This review is from: The Concert in Central Park (Audio CD)

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.)