Customer Reviews

Concert in Central Park

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.)

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.

Simon and Garfunkel's `An American Tune' is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful songs they ever made together. Though it is not their most famous song, its meaning is timeless, and it is softly and consistently revealed as the song rolls on. The comforting sound of the guitar and their two harmonizing voices is so classic, so peaceful.

I came across their music through my parents, who were both at the Simon and Garfunkel concert in 1981 at Central Park. They introduced me to Simon and Garfunkel's music in about my tenth grade year of high school and I have been a devout fan ever since. The sound of their music, especially their live album, has always been able to transport me to another place, almost make me feel like I was there in 1963 with my parents cheering and applauding with them.

Regardless of the time it was created, anyone who has ever felt confused, made mistakes, and can accept life as it is and as it will come can relate to the song. It is a song Paul Simon wrote about the two men's journey and their career in music, but also about life in general - an understanding that everyone suffers and learns and grows at different points in time, and that in the big scheme of life, we've "lived so well for so long." It was also written in the midst of America's most historically split time period; many in the country were for Vietnam, and many, including Simon and Garfunkel, were against it. The meaning of the song also reaches a bigger picture that the twosome believes: things will get better, and this is still America, their country, regardless of the current stress of the war. Even though many of Simon and Garfunkel's original listeners were predominantly doves, the song was meant to bring peace to those so angry and to take an introspective look on what was happening in the country.

In essence, it is almost inevitable to be taken in by the song. It begins with Garfunkel's soft voice and then he is joined in the second verse by a harmonizing Paul Simon, the acoustic guitar and very few instruments in the background playing ever so lightly. It is a simple song, but its meaning is profound, and almost everyone will find some meaning in it.

I have mixed feelings about this recording. Certainly, the prospect of a S&G reunion in their native New York in Central Park was an exciting proposition, and they are supported by crack New York session musicians. The performances are fine, but.....something's just not right. The psuedo-jazz late seventies arrangements seem out of place in some of the S&G 60s classics, particularly the watery electric piano. Makes the performances sound dated...in the wrong era. The most enjoyable songs are the ones where the arrangements are sparsest - Scarborough Fair segues nicely into April Come She Will.

Furthermore, in ways, this is a Paul Simon concert with special guest Art Gunfunkel. There are many Paul Simon songs from his solo years up until that time. Some of the Simon's solo songs don't adopt well to suddenly becoming S&G vehicles, though Garfunkel's reading of American Tune is beautiful. Anyway, this reunion smacks a bit of opportunism on the part of Simon, but I guess he's entitled.

S&G's saga parallels that of the Beatles - they took that particular sound as far as they could, and then it was time to move on. At the time of breakup, I lamented it (I had to deal with the breakup of my two favorite groups within six months of each other). But, like the Beatles, it was the right thing to happen.

That doesn't mean there can't be "reunion" concerts or projects like this one, but it is true that you can never really "go back." I am happy that S&G reconciled sufficiently to make an event like this possible - the Beatles never did - and I am happy that it has been preserved for posterity. But, if you really want to hear what S&G were all about, you really need to hear the original recordings. This is merely a very nice gift to all their fans, and for that we should be grateful.

I'm not going to gush that it's the best CD ever made, but it's certainly worth your $. There are a *ton* of great songs on here, and they're so funky--much more so than studio recordings! If you're finicky for polished performances and surround sound, you might get frustrated, but I'm pretty fussy when it comes to that and I still enjoy these performances immensely. This album is about as good as it gets with Simon and Garfunkel.

Plus, there are very few songs you're going to want to skip over, so you're not going to find yourself with 8 minutes of music after you get to the good stuff. Even if you own every album/compilation and have every song, you'll want to hear the 'revved up' live versions. This is a great CD to bring on roadtrips--I drove from western CT to Rhode Island playing just this CD, and my friend and I had a blast. When you close your eyes, it's like you're there!

For anyone who's grown up with Simon & Garfunkel playing in the background, this album is certain to bring childhood memories flooding back! The melodies are magical, and Paul Simon was never quite able to recreate the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere of 'Concert in Central Park' (no matter how hard he tried in 1993).

The album doesn't consist of individual songs, it is just one tremendous and inspirational performance. Best of all, it still sounds real in your living room! Having said that, however, and given that I wasn't there in 1981, I have made my way to NYC to listen to the album on the Great Lawn...

Although I was born in the early 80's, I often wish that I was in my twenties during the time that Simon & Garfunkel were popular. I grew up listening to this album from my parents' collection but now that I am older have a different appreciation for it. Even if you are not a baby boomer you can still love this album!!

This album spurred me on to buy six of their other albums, and none of them has compared to this one. Not only is it a 19-song set of most of the greatest hits, but the live songs are so much better than the studio ones. Simon and Garfunkel play beautifully and much more relaxed in the live setting. With the gentle noise of the crowd in the background, you definetely get the feeling of being there in Central Park. Being a NY native, "Heart in NY" (not on their other CD's) just really gets me. "America", "Kodachrome" and "59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" are a few of my other favorites.

The lyrics show the songwriter's struggles with the direction of their lives, set to a great beat that will have you listening to this album over and over again. Paul Simon has a beautiful soothing voice just about anyone can recognize. An awesome album to chill out to, definetely my favorite of Simon & Garfunkel's, and an essential for any collection.

I was happy to see Simon and Garfunkle in concert on their recent "Old Friends" tour, and was more than pleased by the performance of two men who, by all rights, should've been retired and not in the best of vocal form. The afterglow of the Philadelphia show led me to reacquire this CD from the 1981 Central Park reunion show. Since most of the songs from the current tour are reflected by the Central Park set list, it was worth it for me.

This CD is actually better than I originally remember it. Maybe I was just too wrapped up in my new wave years (I was a junior in college at the time the album was released), but both men were in strong form vocally. It also meant that, as a greatest hits sort of show, all the bases are essentially covered. Even the Paul Simon solo material comes across as well matched (in particular, "American Tune" which rings truer in the post 9/11 world as it did back then). The instrumentation is a bit dated, Richard Tee's keyboards especially, but that's more the fault of the times than of performance.

And the performances here are superb. Oddly, the one major omission from the disc is "The Late Great Johnny Ace." If you watch the DVD of the concert, it was Simon's tribute to John Lennon and is when a fan charges the stage, distracting Simon from the microphone. Art Garfunkle is relegated to only one solo hit here, and naturally it's "A Heart In New York." Just as "counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike" gets a huge outburst of applause (it did here in Philly, too), "Heart" brings the crowd to express itself with exuberence.

On the other hand, when Art begins to sing "Bridge Over Troubled Water," it's hard not to notice that he can still sound like the folk singing choirboy of the sixties, and even more so for "The Sound of Silence." Despite all the infighting, back biting and legendary arguments that Simon and Garfunkle have shared over their career, there is no denying that - as a duo - they created magic. After 20 years, I'm glad "The Concert In Central Park" is back in my library.

PS: I eagerly await the inevitable "Old Friends" concert disc, and would also recommend Paul Simon's "Concert In The Park" from 1991.