Customer Reviews

Old Friends Live on Stage (2 CD)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited for the first time in 20 years at the 2002 Grammy Awards to sing "The Sound of Silence," their fans issued a collective gasp of surprise (and appreciation). One of the seminal folk-rock groups of the 1960s, the pair had long ago engraved itself on America's collective consciousness. In six albums over five short years, Simon & Garfunkel released hit after hit: "Homeward Bound," "America," "Mrs. Robinson," "The Sound of Silence," "The Boxer," and the list goes on. On "Old Friends: Live on Stage," an album that collects performances from their 2003 reunion tour, it is a pleasure to hear many of those songs sound as good as ever, and time has only added to their haunting beauty.

As the record's liner notes explain, after years of tension in their relationship, and in the wake of Sept. 11, the two decided to come back together for a reunion tour, saying they had put aside their differences. The concerts, unfortunately, were hit-and-miss. The two played all their hits to enthusiastic audiences, but seemed somewhat awkward and lifeless on stage, just going through the motions. Fortunately, their performances work much better on album; rather than bored, the pair sounds reflective and elegiac. Though their voices can't escape inevitable aging, years of experience and personal conflict give their songs more weight.

The opening song, "Old Friends/Bookends," with which Simon & Garfunkel began each concert, sets the wistful tone of the album. The group has wisely not changed the arrangement of the song: Simon's soft acoustic guitar backs the gentle melody. But the entrance of the two aged, raspy voices takes the song to a different level -- almost to the transcendence of Johnny Cash's recent "American Recordings."

In their twenties, on the 1968 album "Bookends," they sang: "Can you imagine us, years from today,/ Sharing a park bench quietly?/ How terribly strange to be 70." Today, with the singers close to that age, the line lends the song a solemn nostalgia.

The quieter tunes are the undeniable highlights on this album. Aside from a few added instrumental lines and relaxed guitar and piano solos, the songs' arrangements remain nearly the same as always. Fewer electric guitars and less percussion place the focus on the two singers, where it belongs. Their renowned harmonies have become imperfect approximations of what they once were, though the songs don't necessarily suffer as a result. Obvious exceptions are "Mrs. Robinson" and "Cecilia," on which their voices lack the energy they had in the 1960s.

The Simon & Garfunkel classics "America," "Slip Slidin' Away," and "The Only Living Boy in New York" are heartbreakingly beautiful. On "American Tune," a Paul Simon solo composition, Garfunkel naturally weds his voice to that of Simon, improving upon the original. Only occasionally do the slow tunes feel inert and plodding; "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is particularly disappointing and uncompelling.

And what of "The Sound of Silence," the classic that symbolized and defined a generation? The two have quieted the opening of the song nearly to a whisper. The moving meditation on identity and despair is stripped down to just the two aged voices: It is a gorgeous closer to the first of the set's two CDs.

Annoyingly, Simon & Garfunkel are content to let many of the faster songs stand on their nostalgic merits alone, rather than attempting to breathe new life into them. Even with the help of the Everly Brothers' appearance on "Bye Bye Love," their sound merely recalls a past era, failing to transcend the trappings of old-timey corniness.

Where "The Concert in Central Park" (their classic 1981 reunion concert album) is joyous and invigorating, "Old Friends" is piercingly quiet and mostly melancholic. But the change seems appropriate, and the new live record stands as a worthwhile companion to the first. "Friends" shows that Simon & Garfunkel's contemplative music has stood the test of time. As most of the album's 23 tracks prove, their songs have achieved a timelessness that will last the years.

(Originally published in the Yale Daily News, December 3, 2004)

After some time waiting to do another reunion, Simon and Garfunkel got together in the aftermath of September 11. I eagerly awaited the release of this two CD set and I was not disappointed! There are two CDs here from Simon and Garfunkel's 2003 Old Friends Tour.

Yes, they have aged and their voices did change a little because of the natural aging process, but it's still a great CD set!

I think my favorite song here would have to be "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It is a very moving, deep and touching song about one human being reaching out to another. But there's hardly a stinker here! They perform "Mrs. Robinson," "The Sound Of Silence," and "The Boxer." There's no question why these songs are so well known and gave such fame to Simon and Garfunkel! Don't forget the song, "Leaves That Are Green," either! The duo also performs a song from their very early days when they called themselves Tom and Jerry, the song "Hey, Schoolgirl."

As Amazon and another reviewer have noted, The Everly Brothers join Simon and Garfunkel for "Bye Bye Love." Very well done--a treat! GRIN "The Only Living Boy in New York" is especially wonderful as well.

As an added bonus there is the brand new song by Simon and Garfunkel, "Citizen Of The Planet." This is very well done and I predict you will enjoy it.

All in all, this is a value packed set that is a pleasure to add to your collection of fine music from the last 40 years! It's hard to believe that's just about how much time it's actually been since Simon and Garfunkel got underway! This CD set shows a reflective, seasoned Simon and Garfunkel that fans will forever appreciate and enjoy.

Read the negatives of the other reviews BUT do yourself a favor: even if you're buying this used-it's well worth it! The subtle changes in the arrangements, great musicianship and transitions between the songs (I dare you to not get goosebumps between "My Little Town" and "Bridge..."),effortless vocals that, while occassionally showing their age, flow like you've never heard 'em! And the new song "Citizen of The Planet" is a must have because it speaks to what is happening in our world today.

As one who could not 'afford' to go to see our boys, this DvD brings you there. It is a must buy! You will find yourselves watching it over and over and over again. A great way to see that yes, they are back together, in more ways than on stage. They had fun, being together, singing together and with the audience..advice? Turn off the phone, and for a few songs, get some kleenex handy..Only Living Boy in NY? Paul's emotions alone will get you..it got both of them..Enjoy!!

This CD is culled from the performances from S&G's 2003 - 2004 tour. The backing band stays very true to the sound and feel of the original recordings. They do tastefully build on the song arrangements when appropriate and the results are wonderful.

Simon and Garfunkel themselves are in great form. They trade compliments that seem to come from the heart, and as old friends do, they take a few well intended pokes at each other.

A nice special treat for the listener is the appearance of one of S&G's influences, The Everly Brothers. Together they all sing "Bye Bye Love".

Another treat is a punchy version of "My Little Town".

The only flaw on the CD, while it never becomes distracting, is the tempo of a few songs is slower than the original recordings. Understandable when you consider that both Simon and Garfunkel are in their 60's now. But still this is a very well performed and enjoyable show.

This double live album may not be the equivalent of the magnificent 1981 Central Park recording - quite - but it is a treat in its own right. Sure, the duo's voices have aged, and Paul Simon's voice in particular sounds a little worn here and there. And most of these arrangements are kinda predictable and a little slick, too, perhaps. But when Simon and Art Garfunkel harmonize, the magic is still there, and if Simon's "Slip Slidin' Away", which was a highlight on the "Central Park" album, sounds a little more cautious and subdued here, the "Mrs Robinson" which opens disc two equals any version I've ever heard, loose but confident and wonderfully funky.

The fact that Paul Simon has a little trouble with his pitch on "El Condor Pasa", and the fact that Art Garfunkel can't let loose on "Bridge Over Troubled Water" like he used to, could be taken as proof that this is an oldies act, that these guys are over the hill. But it doesn't come off that way. He just sound older, that's all, and this CD is really about nostalgia anyway. Old friends, back together. Even if they weren't always that friendly.
And it's fine that these forty year old songs don't sound excactly like they did in 1970. If they did, why would we want this album at all?

It's not the place to start your S&G collection, and the Central Park album is still the must-have Simon & Garfunkel-album for all casual fans. But if you're a fan, "Old Friends" is a really nice, warm and very enjoyable addition to your collection. Get it.

I hail from Singapore where I bought this DVD from my CD/DVD shop. It is a great watch, one that brings sane music into the
living room. You cannot get this kind of quality music and songs nowadays due to the lost direction music is heading towards nowadays in America.

I am full of nostalgia listening to the vintage voices of Paul and Art. I also got emotional because the songs reminded of mthe times I was a child. How I relive those times again and again as I listen to them. The duo emote and provoke a lot of sentiments.

How I wish they would get back together during this
time of their senior years. There will never be another Paul and Art. It takes a long time to produce another original Paul and Art.

Long Live Paul and Art. From : Singapore, 13 December 2005.

This album is an instant classic. Yes the voices have aged but it was refreshing to me that the flaws were left in.They could have been easily overdubbed before the final mix.
I saw the duo on the last night of their North American tour in Tampa last December. It was a magical night, one I'll never forget and this CD brings me back to that night.Can't wait for the DVD December 7.
If you want slick studio production without the human feel then buy the best of or box sets. But if you want to hear the concert exactly as it was performed this is the album for you.

I loved everything about this....Buy it and Enjoy it!!

I was fortunate enough to have seen this concert trek in Philadelphia in the fall of 2003. It was a beautiful night of music, preformed beautifully and filled with songs that have strong memories attached to them. I was also of the good luck to see Paul Simon on a late 90's solo tour in support of his "Rhythm Of The Saints" CD. I bring this up because of an important difference between that night and this tour disc.

Simon was touring with a support band that, at times, measured twenty plus musicians sharing the stage. At a certain point, however, they all left to allow Simon to play a few songs solo. Simon than began to strum the opening notes to "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and as each verse concluded, a few more musicians would return to the stage. Slowly, the sound built up towards the final verse, and a gospel choir stepped on board to just overwhelm the crowd the audience. I can still get gooseflesh thinking about just how magnificent the moment was.

On the other hand, on "Old Friends Live" CD, Simon and Garfunkel sing a lovely version of the same song, perfectly performed and done with the same wonderful vocals you remember. The difference is that I saw and heard a moment of musical transcendence in the 90's, whereas in 2003 I saw a concert of terrific musical professionalism. Throughout the two discs that comprise "Old Friends Live On Stage," you get to hear the greatest hits recreated immaculately, minus the fact that our heroes are now in their 60's and sound thusly aged.

What gives the album its finest moments are things like hearing Simon and Garfunkel singing Simon's solo "American Tune" together, with its still poignant lyrics. "Hazy Shade of Winter" provides a much needed kick (thanks, Bangles!). And The Everly Brothers' number with S&G ("Bye Bye Love") is the album's sole surprise. (However, I would have been happier if the CD would have left the other songs that the four played in the course of the show, including "Wake Up Little Susie.")

This live disc is a pretty good representative of Simon and Garfunkel live. The Central Park reunion album is a better bet.