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Laramie Movie Scope:
Simon and Garfunkel: Concert in Central Park

Approaching their 40th birthdays, the duo reunites

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by Patrick Ivers, Film Critic
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(1982) After their breakup as a hugely popular singing duo eleven years earlier, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, both approaching their 40th birthdays, performed at a reunion concert in Central Park, New York City, in front of an audience of ("Ten thousand people, maybe more") half a million fans on September 19th, 1981.

They begin the show singing "Mrs. Robinson," Paul in a dark pinstriped jacket and slacks with white tee-shirt playing acoustic guitar and Art wearing a dark vest over a white collared shirt and blue jeans with hands in his pockets. "Homeward Bound" and "America" follow, among several of Simon's songs repeating the refrain of going home.

Next come "Me and Julio Down by the School Yard," "Scarborough Fair," "April Come She Will," and "Wake Up, Little Susie" (their rendition of the classic by the Everly Brothers, who would have their own reunion concert at Albert Hall in London on September 23rd, 1983).

The backup band includes a pair of trumpets and saxophones, two drummers, a pianist, a synthesizer, and three guitars. After Paul solos "Still Crazy After All These Years," they harmonize on "American Tune," "Late in the Evening" as night descends on the crowd, and "Slip Sliding Away."

Art solos "A Heart in New York" (composed by Gallagher and Lyle) before Paul announces a new song, "The Late, Great Johnny Ace," not previously performed live in public. (During the performance, drummer Steve Gadd grabs and hauls an overly enthusiastic fan off the stage.)

Together on "Kodachrome" and Chuck Berry's tune, "Maybellene," Paul leaves the stage to Art for "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Then Paul alone sings "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" before teaming up with Art for "The Boxer."

Responding to the cheers and applause, for an encore they sing "Old Friends/Bookends" - "How terribly strange to be 70," which they will be later this year - "The 59th Street Bridge," and "Sounds of Silence." For a final encore they reprise "Late in the Evening."

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Copyright © 2011 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Patrick Ivers can be reached via e-mail at nora's email address at juno. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

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