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| ARTIST: |
Simon & Garfunkel
(Google this artist) |
| ALBUM: |
Live From New York City, 1967 |
| LABEL: |
Columbia/Legacy |
| RELEASED: |
2002 |
One of the highlights of the original Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits LP
was the sprinkling of previously unreleased live versions. "For Emily,
Wherever I May Find Her," "Homeward Bound," "59th Street Bridge Song
(Feelin' Groovy)" had more charisma, wit and emotional power than their
original studio versions.
Remarkably, it has taken until now to see the release of a complete live
document from S&G's sixties heyday. Columbia/Legacy has unearthed a January
1967 Lincoln Center show. Live From New York City, 1967 captures the
last moments of their bare-bones coffeehouse style before they experimented
with more ambitious musical palettes on the albums Bookends and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
The spare accompaniment and harmonic interplay of "A Hazy Shade of Winter,"
"The Sounds of Silence" and "I Am a Rock" is testament to the remarkable
power and beauty that can spring from just two voices and a guitar. (a
great melody doesn't hurt).
A couple songs, however, haven't aged particularly well. "The Dangling
Conversation" is overripe with half-baked Dylan-isms and
message-with-a-capital-M commentary. Yet it's also a charmingly dated
reminder of the turbulent period in America when people sincerely believed
a finger-picked guitar could bring our boys home from Vietnam.
Perhaps the best reason to get yourself a copy of Live from New York City, 1967 is the wondrous guitar playing of Paul Simon. For all the thousands of
words that have been written about his insightful lyrics and timeless
melodies, and Art Garfunkel's soaring harmonies, Simon's fluid, understated
musicianship is rarely noted. The instrumental interlude "Anji" and the
droning accompaniment on "Blessed" prove that his guitar work is as
accomplished and distinctive as his songwriting.
Live From New York City, 1967 is a riveting listening experience and a revelatory addition to the Simon & Garfunkel legacy.
review by Steve Walsh
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©
Figgle 2001-2007