Simon and Garfunkel

Press, 19 February 1983, Page 6

Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel at Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, last evening. Running time 8.5 p.m. to 10.12 p.m. Reviewed by Nevin Topp. About 38.000 people — the promoter's estimate — enjoyed an evening of nostalgia from Simon and Garfunkel. Each of their old songs was greeted with rapturous applause, and even after the second, and final, encore, the crowd still wanted more. . The music was as mild as the evening. By playing old rock and roll songs such as ‘Wake Up Little Susie" (Everly Brothers). “Rip It Up" (Little Richard), and "Maybelline”. (Chuck Berry), the American folk-rock duo seemed to be saying that their music started from there. . ,• Critics have said that the reformation of the duo has . beej an exercise in nostalgia.

There were three new songs in the show. "Allergies." a' rather poor song from Paul Simon; “Johnny Ace," a tribute to John Lennon, which had a good atmosphere when it was sung because many of the crowd had candles‘and the stage lights were turned off; and finally “A Citizen of the Plane't,” another song, written for the anti-nuclear movement.

The concert did not really get going, one of the main reasons being that they had to keep the customers satisfied. There did not appear to be any structure in the show and the gaps between songs — when Paul Simon tuned his guitar, for example — broke the feeling. However, the main reason was that the band was underused. The best song of the night was Paul Simon’s “Late in the Evening." The

horn section was at full blast and the sound was superb. In fact, the song was played again in the first encore and the crowd was swinging.

The nearest sense' of structure came when Simon sang “Allergies,” and then Garfunkel sang, “Bright Eyes.” Paul Simon’s own songs, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “Still Crazy After All These Years.” stood out more prominently ■ than the duo’s hits from the 19605.

The exception was “Bridge Over Troubled . Waters,” which had a marvellous hymn-like quality to it at the start, when the audience joined in, and "The Boxer,” winch was also a communal effort.

The final song was "Sounds of Silence,” appropriately with only Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon oh stage — the way they started.