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Simon and Garfunkel Deliver at New Orleans Jazz Fest
- Posted on Apr 25th 2010 4:00PM by Charley Rogulewski
Art Garfunkel's hoarse voice wasn't going to stop Simon and Garfunkel from taking the stage for their headlining set Saturday evening at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz Fest. For starters, it was Garfunkel's first time playing the longstanding festival, now in its 41st year. The duo opened their soft set of iconic folk songs with 'Hazy Shade of Winter' and it was almost immediately apparent that Simon was helping his buddy out on the high notes."It's not that the mike is not on," Garfunkel explained to the crowd, almost a warning for his big solo vocal entrance on the set list's 'Scarborough Fair.' "It's just that the voice is a little elusive, but I wasn't going to not come down to New Orleans Jazz Fest," he said. Despite the setback, Simon & Garfunkel trudged on, getting creative during a twangy 'Mrs. Robinson' that segued into 'Not Fade Away' and back again.
In a nod to the nearby Blues Tent, the duo dirtied up their usually peppy 'Keep the Customer Satisfied.' But Garfunkel would take a break during the set, leaving Simon with the rest of the band on stage for a handful of solo songs including 'Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes' and 'The Only Living Boy in New York.'
Garfunkel returned for 'The Boxer,' appreciative that the crowd was putting up with his lagging voice. As he struggled, the crowd helped lift him through with their chorus of support. As the sun set, things ended on a high note in true New Orleans style -- with lots of horns -- as the two ripped through 'Cecilia.' It might not have been Simon & Garfunkel's 'The Concert in Central Park,' but the crowd left content, having crossed off a major act from their musical bucket list.
Simon and Garfunkel on AOL Music
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Add a Comment
wherzromeo
I wish i was there for the "Mrs.Robinson" to "Not Fade Away" -hoarse or not, sounds like it was amazing night at Jazz Fest.
May 01 2010 at 4:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
john dickie
I was there, and to put it bluntly these guys should have spent more time rehearsing their vocals. Garfunkel was hoarse half-way through the set which suggests he should have prepared himself better. The ending to ' A Bridge Over Troubled Water' was a vocal nightmare. I'm sure Garfunkel was mortified.
April 30 2010 at 9:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ginchinchili
There's not a whole lot I can add, but to echo what has already been said. I thought the days of "one of the best concerts I've ever seen" were over--I've seen a lot of great concerts over the past 40 years. But Simon and Garfunkel's performance at N.O. Jazz Fest was truly awe-inspiring. I got chills during nearly every song. They sounded simply fantastic, despite Art's sore throat, and even though he was losing his voice, most of his singing was quite beautiful.
And the band! I don't think a better band could be assembled to play the music of this legendary duo. Simply awesome. They kept the spirit of the original tunes, but gave them so much musical life, making these old classics sound fresh and relevant. Frankly, I'd never heard S & G's songs better performed. I'm hoping that Art's voice recovers quickly and they record a life album from this current tour they're on.
James
I never sing at concerts. Ever.
I sung at this one.
I especially liked when Simon forgot the words, laughed at himself, fired up the band, and performed an explosive version of the song in a way I've never seen. It seemed fitting, at Jazzfest.
rdennis
A great nostalgic experience-especially for those of us now hitting their 60s. It was great to see how so manyh of those in their 20s had equal appreciation for the genre of music many of us grew up with in the 60s. In spite of Arty's voice struggles, and the muddy fields (reminiscent of Woodstock) the duo performed a magical assemblage of their classics. The backup musicians which included from from the Graceland album were excellent and provided some of the support Arty needed in the high falsettos.
April 26 2010 at 7:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Maribeth
1 reply to Maribeth's comment
I was there and it was magical for many reasons. The weather held and there was no rain. There was, however, quite a breeze. It had rained Thursday so there was a LOT of mud. Shoes off, bring it! Felt like a hippie again. Nice people, good food. Someone let us borrow two chairs. But best of all, despite Art's cracking voice, was that the two were genuinely grateful for the Jazz Fest crowd. Keep in mind these two had THIS SINGLE PERFORMANCE in ALL OF 2010, and that they have not performed together in six years. YES, IT WAS MAGICAL.
April 26 2010 at 12:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ken Watts
Actually they are playing within walking distance of my house in Madison, WI on May 9. Jazzfest is not their sole appearance this year.
April 27 2010 at 5:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
A
1 reply to A's comment
I was there. And it was the most beautiful experience. There are few bands that can weave magic in the air with their music the way that Simon and Garfunkel can.
April 26 2010 at 9:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
9 Comments