Simon & Garfunkel - The Concert in Central Park [2003]

On a spring Sunday in 1982, a 13-year-old boy in Northern Europe happened to open the tv and see a huge outdoors concert. In the course of approximately one and a half hours, the boy became a fan of those two men: one tall, curly-haired and angel-voiced, the other dark and short, playing the guitar with a unique touch. As the boy did not have a VCR at the time, he did not have a chance to see the concert again. Twenty-one years later the boy, now a man and fast approaching middle age, places a DVD on the tray – and he is reunited with the holy show: Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Concert in Central Park’.I do not have the habit of writing about myself, but now I am obliged to do so, because ‘Concert in Central Park’ possesses an immeasurable amount of personal value to me.It really took an unreasonably long time to convert ‘Concert in Central Park’ into a DVD. The product does not have any real extras, but the content speaks for itself. The additions (in respect of LP and CD) of ‘Late in the Evening (reprise)’ and the first-ever performance of Simon’s solo ‘The Late Great Johnny Ace’ alone make this DVD a piece of popular music history. Paul’s wild shriek just before the band cuts into the crowd-inciting rumba sequence of ‘Late in the Evening (reprise)’ is pure rock & roll power. And yes, the angry spectator’s stage invasion is there in the middle of ‘Johnny Ace’.Interestingly enough, there are some differences to be heard in the music. Intros to some songs are longer than on LP/CD and a few harmonies sound more authentic on this DVD. Some short between-songs announcements are cut out and, unfortunately, Paul’s opening speech after ‘Homeward Bound’ is shortened somewhat. I do not know if it is only me, but I think that mixing is more sophisticated here. In addition to singing of the headliners, you can also fully enjoy (not to underestimate anybody’s input) the fine guitars of David Brown and Pete Carr, the groovy drums of Paul’s trusted man Steve Gadd as well as the dominant keyboard-playing of another cohort Richard Tee. Essentially, the introduction of the superb band is included in the film just before the very last song.The friction between Paul and Art is no secret, and it is at places visible in this concert as well. They have little direct contact during the set, and the occasional back-patting seems a bit constrained. During Paul’s solo numbers, Art sits at the back and looks uneasy. Paul also seems to make a little fun of Art a couple of times: for example, Art’s less-than-deep one-liner ‘I’m so in the mood’ prior to the glorious ‘American Tune’ causes Paul to make faces that imply something else than infinite respect to his long-time partner.The performers, luckily, concentrate on the music and do few tricks to woo the audience. In the end of a touching neighbourhood tune ‘A Heart in New York’, Art does a Statue of Liberty routine. It is no artistic triumph as such but inspires the crowd into a mighty roar.Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Concert in Central Park’ is definitely one of the most important individual concerts in the history of popular music. Although it now turns out the music had gone through some tidying-up when released on LP, the songs are in the starring role. Skilful camera work and successful sound reproduction make the concert a comprehensive and a most enjoyable experience on the screen, too.

We saw this as a programme on Sky Arts and decided we would like the DVD. We were not disappointed. If you like Simon and Garfunkel then this is for you.

I recently reviewed a 'Simon and Garfunkel' Concert DVD from their 'Old Friends Tour' of 2003........This is their 1981 Concert in Central Park in front of 500,000 fans, such was their appeal, this concert was a benefit attractionin which the proceeds went to the redevelopment of the run-down green space in central Manhattan.This was billed as a reunion concert by many for the duo who had split over technical music differences ten years or so before,sadly the reunion was short-lived.Reading this, some may say, why own both ? ....well for me there is enough difference in the play-list to warrant owning both, thisof course does include many of the duo's best known recordings as did the 'Old Friends' DVD, however this does have a few albumnumbers on-board along with one or two of their solo years up to that time.Play-List -01 Mrs Robinson (E.P Chart '9' U.K 1969)02 Homeward Bound (Chart '9' U.K 1966)03 America (Chart '25' U.K 1972)04 Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard (A Solo Hit For Paul Simon '15' U.K 1972)05 Scarborough Fair06 April Come She Will07 Wake Up Little Susie08 Still Crazy After All These Years09 American Tune10 Late In The Evening11 Slip Slidin' Away (A solo Hit for Paul Simon '36' U.K 1977)12 A Heart In New York13 The Late Great Johnny Ace14 Kodachrome/ Maybelene15 Bridge Over Troubled Water (Chart '1' 1970)16 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (A Solo Hit for Paul Simon '23' 1976)17 The Boxer (Chart '6' U.K 1969)18 Old Friends19 The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)20 The Sound Of Silence (Chart '9' U.K 1965)21 Late In The EveningFor me as mentioned before, i've always found listening to the duo's music relaxing, and reflective.This is so worth adding to one's .music/ video collection............The Central Park Concert of September 19th 1981.

This concert finds Garfunkel still in the mindset of the folkie sitting in the park, whilst Simon is feeling the vibes and the drums of the rock n roll though is still touched by what he wrote prior. The result... One of the finest concerts you are every likely to see/hear (and that includes Dylan @ Free Trade Hall in 66'!).The tenderness, pronunciation, togetherness, symbolism, and virtosity of Simon and Garfunkel takes the breath away and leaves you transfixed.The set list is superb, each song bounces off each other as it slides from tender love songs with rich Paul Simon inspired symbolism to up tempo, toe tapping rock and roll numbers such as 'Late in the Evening'.I don't sign up to the mindset of Simon being cynical toward Art, both have a genuine warmth and respect which is undying. This can be seen when Art jumps the gun on the second line of 'Homeward Bound', Paul smiles warmly at him and they both slot right back into harmony.An essential DVD for any Simon and/or Garfunkel fan and essential for even the slightly curious.

Yep it’s a dvd

This golden oldie is a joy from start to finish. No ridiculous lighting or sound effects ... just marvelous singers and musicians and original songs from the prolific Paul Simon. A must watch for music lovers .

If you only buy one dvd of Simon n Garfunkel this has to be the one

I only bought this for Sound of Silence and Bridge over troubled water so in that respect I am pleased enough. Somehow I expected more but then this was filmed live a long time ago. I reckon any fans will value this greatly as the quality and atmosphere is excellent. Most of their music does not appeal to me but the pieces that do reach my soul. Recommend highly to fans of the guys.

assisto com frequência

snel geleverd

El concierto en general.

Ho il CD ma il film è un'altra cosa

awesome thank you speedy delivery