There is one concert that is an undeniable one that I can’t stop listening to. It is the Old Friends Live concert from Simon and Garfunkel that was recorded in 2003 and released in 2004. It is said to be one of the greatest reunions of an oldie group. It curtails in the fashion of the last live release their record company did in 1981 with The Concert in Central Park. It showcases songs that are remade from that concert as well as tucked-away gems like “Leaves That Are Green,” one of which the songwriter quoted had not been performed since 1967. It’s a fabulous collection, one worth buying and listening to. I love the remake of “The Boxer,” with the full band backing them up. One also to like is “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Note how they started in one key (the key of D) and slipped into the original key of E-flat for the final verse. Garfunkel still going over that high bar at the end really gives chills to the spine and goosebumps up the arms. There are other rarities on this live show like “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)” which they have performed over the years but sporadically.
A beautiful version of Garfunkel singing “Kathy’s Song” is a sweet crowd pleaser with Simon doing a bit of acoustic guitar high harmonic action toward the end. “The Sound of Silence” is the one hit that really makes people applaud in the highest with the usual acoustic opening followed by the band coming in on the second verse.
There is another thing that is so special about this concert and that is the rare Everly Brothers appearance that takes place about a third of the way through the show. They sing a few numbers of theirs in the company of Paul and Art including “Dream, Dream, Dream,” and “Bye Bye Love.” The Everlys then exit the stage as Paul and Art take the center again with more of their timeless material, the next of which would be “Parsely Sage Rosemary and Time” (or “Scarborough Fair”). The concert is very well rounded with several amazing stops down memory lane. Many of these song many of us have grown up with through the generations. It’s nice to see that these two brilliant singers and songwriters still exist today. Solo and together, these two have shaped our lives in music forever.
