Garfunkel Holds Back On His Art
PUSSSYKATT
N.Y. Daily News Feature Writer
If Art Garfunkel were running for public office, he could have used his
Saturday night performance at Brooklyn College to demonstrate that he is the
nicest guy in New York.
The high-pitched half of Simon & Garfunkel refused to hog the spotlight. He
made sure his jokes were at his own expense. But we all know where most nice
guys end up finishing.
While Garfunkel didn't quite hit bottom Saturday, he squandered the small but
significant role he has been given to play in the history of pop.
Still possessed of an almost ethereal tenor, Garfunkel was thrilling on Paul
Simon-penned classics such as "American Tune" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
But too frequently, Garfunkel was stymied by his own lack of artistic vision,
dedicating more than half the 90-minute show to Simon & Garfunkel songs.
Although he has finished an album of new material that he co-wrote, he played
just one of those pieces, "A Perfect Moment." It was far from the night's most
compelling song, but at least it was a sign there is more to Garfunkel than a
quavering countertenor.
Garfunkel joked about his nice-guy personality, but his generosity toward his
musicians threatened to turn the concert into a second-rate variety show.
Drummer Tommy Igoe took a thundering solo during "Cecilia" that was completely
out of character with the subdued tone of the rest of the show. Guitarist Eric
Weissberg was granted a six-minute stretch for a silly version of "Dueling
Banjos," which he recorded for the soundtrack of "Deliverance" in 1972.
Worst of all, Garfunkel declared himself a "very proud husband" after his wife
Kim Cermak turned in a chirpy, off-key version of John Lennon's "Imagine."
These cameos, meant to indicate the band's tight, family-like vibe, derailed
the pacing and underscored Garfunkel's reticence to put his own stamp on the
concert.
Garfunkel shone best when singing "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "Goodnight, My
Love," the doo-wop songs he grew up on as a boy in Forest Hills. Had he focused
on this tradition, or any of his personal passions, he might have made a
statement that went beyond reinforcing his image as the most affable second
banana in pop.
SEND EMAIL TO PUSSS...@aol.com
AGC FAQ and FUN STUFF
http://members.aol.com/pusssykatt/agcfaq.html
BLIND ITEM REHASH:
http://members.aol.com/agcgossipqueen/mainpage.html
Keith Moon
Paul Simon solo song ("American Tune"). That must've been cool.
All of a sudden, there are several good S&G bootlegs from the 60s
circulating. I'd forgotten how good they were. It's been nearly 20
years since their last reunion-I think we're due for another one.
On 19 Nov 2001 12:06:05 GMT, agcgoss...@aol.com (PUSSSYKATT)
wrote: