Gig review: Simon and Garfunkel in Auckland

Reuters

STILL MAGIC: Simon and Garfunkel, pictured in a 2004 performance, opened their Australasian tour in Auckland with a spine-tingling show.

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Simon and Garfunkel warmed the hearts of fans with a flawless perfomance of a generous selection of their hits in Auckland. Jeremy Redmore was there.

Simon and Garfunkel
Where: Vector Arena
When: Saturday, June 13

Paul Simon said it was a show he would always remember, the first of his Australasian tour with his oldest friend Art Garfunkel at Auckland's Vector Arena providing a magical memory in the untold annals of his mind.

Having not played a full show as a duo in New Zealand since 1983 and not on a world scale since 2004, the pair returned to action with an almost flawless display - the only hiccup becoming one of marvel.

As the front-of-house PA failed halfway through Bridge Over Troubled Water the crowd almost unanimously picked up where the song left off, a resounding chorus filling what would have been an awkward silence.

The almost ageless twosome bookended themselves whilst providing an entertaining night of nostalgia in which each artist played solo material within a set of the duo's long list of hits.

Megascreens lit up the audience to start the show, a brief film containing footage and photos from the past 50 years illustrated the history the act shares, before they took the stage alone to perform Old Friends/Bookends.

Two perfectly unique and unmistakable voices then melted together and plenty of spines were almost immediately chilled.

A seven-piece band, packed with incredible talent, joined the two main events to help crank out America, Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound, Sound of Silence, Mrs Robinson and El Condor Pasa.

A version of Slip Slidin' Away, including harmonies from Garfunkel, showed the crowd what might have been had the pair not split in 1970 while a story of how they met and the first song they recorded together, Hey Schoolgirl, illustrated how fated their music seemed to have been, the pair brought together for success.

Art was the first to take centre stage by himself and the 67-year-old defied his age with impassioned versions of three of his songs, including the UK No. 1 hit, Bright Eyes.

Of the two vocalists, Garfunkel showed his age the most, sometimes seeming to struggle to find his breath. However, this most unique voice was still able to stretch and hit the highest notes of his repertoire, despite not having some of the strength it once had.

Paul Simon then gave the show a touch of Graceland along with some much-needed energy and fun. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard got the crowd moving before Boy in the Bubble and Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, complete with six-part harmonies and African isicathamiya, brought the house down.

Simon's performance shows no sign of aging. If you have ever watched the Graceland DVD, you'd swear - apart from his looks - he'd stepped onto the Vector stage straight from 1991.

The two reunited on stage, amidst mutual praise for their friendship, before delivering The Only Living Boy in New York and Bridge Over Troubled Water to a standing ovation.

The one qualm I had at this concert was that the crowd took until the first encore and Cecilia to actually get up and dance. I couldn't put my finger on just why that happened but I got an overall impression that people were reticent to lose themselves in the fun of the evening and let go with a boogie as has happened at similar shows previously.

However, the final encores put my worries to the wayside as The Boxer, Leaves That Are Green and Feelin' Groovy brought the best out of the audience and sent everyone home with a smile on their face and countless hummable melodies throughout their minds.

The hype was warranted for a show that sold out within minutes and a legendary lineup that may not be seen again on these shores. Simon and Garfunkel hold a place within the hearts of many a Kiwi household and the keenest of those hearts that attended Vector Arena were certainly warmed.

* Were you at the show? Post your comments below.

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Pippa Signall   #50   02:09 pm Jun 18 2009

I AM FLYING FROM SINGAPORE TO SEE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL IN PERTH AT THE BURDSWOOD DOME ON JULY THE 2ND JUST ABOUT TWO WEEKS UNTIL - CANT WAIT : ) IM 14 AND SUCH A DEVOTED FAN ( LISTENING TO A HIT OF THEIRS NOW) LOVE THEM CANT WAIT SPENDING ALL MY POCKET MONEY TO FLY AND SEE THEM : ) CANT WAIT

L   #49   12:36 pm Jun 18 2009

Can someone tell me how long the show lasted?

I'm attending one in Sydney and I need a babysitter, that would help.

thanks! :)

keith snelgrove   #48   07:53 am Jun 18 2009

Great reviews thanks guys , i m flying out next week from england just to see them in melbourne then flying back again the next day , i cant wait!

Barb   #47   05:49 pm Jun 17 2009

I agree it was a fantastic show, could someone tell me what the first song was that they opened the show with. Thanks.

Hotscot1314   #46   04:26 pm Jun 17 2009

Marvelous concert. Those of a certain age will have fold memories of the music of S&G. I hate to think they may not come this way again, but hope that there is a chance they may after this tour record together again. One fly in the ointment the well oiled prat and his friends in row 44 who sang through the songs and when they couldn't remember the words whistled the tunes. When asked to be quiet abused and threatened those around them.

Leon Dolphin   #45   01:27 pm Jun 17 2009

Great review. Much better than the one in the Herald. Who could go to Simon and Garfunkel and worry about what they were wearing! I too didnt get up and dance because I was lost/transfixed in their music.

Carol   #44   05:59 pm Jun 16 2009

My sister and I just loved the Sunday night show. I think everyone was taken up with just listening to the music. That last "extra" encore with all the lights on and being able to see all the crowd enjoying themselves- just wonderful!Thank you S&G - do come again! We'll turn up with our zimmer frames!

Chris Manning   #43   03:17 pm Jun 16 2009

Wonderful. Why did I not get up and dance? Well, frankly I was so entranced by seeing hearing my favourite duo that all I wanted to do was sit and absorb! Tremendous concert and well worth the entry cost. I too, would love to have gone the next night

mmurphy   #42   12:48 pm Jun 16 2009

My wife and I were laughing that being in out 40's we were amongst the youngest there! What a concert ! What a great audience ! When the front of house cut out and everybody sang it was terrific. I have tears in my eyes now just thinking about it. Very special.

FRONT AND CENTRE   #41   11:56 am Jun 16 2009

I paid outrageous money to get a ticket to the show. When I saw a ticket front and centre on Trade Me I knew that was what I wanted and I would mortgage whatever I had to make sure I got it. I was so close I could hear them talking to each other off mic! The musicians were absolutely outstanding. The musical mix was 3D. The PA breakdown a complete BLESSING. I was telling my sister the next day about the show and found myself wiping tears from my eyes, that have never happened before. I took a few pics from my iPhone from Saturday's show. If you want one email me at lofigarage@me.com and I will send you some from the front row.

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