My Amazon Reviews: Simon and Garfunkel "Old Friends Live On Stage"

Frenemies Live on Stage
3 Out Of 5 Stars

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