Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Whilst Liverpool audiences have had the honour of watching the legendary Art Garfunkel perform within the last year, a night of beautiful appreciation for one of the defining voices of the 20th Century at the Philharmonic Hall, the chances of both the harmony and the man with the guitar playing alongside him in the city of music are more than astronomical, they are virtually impossible. It is in to that melancholic fact that solace of any type must be sought and in The Simon and Garfunkel Story, solace, the comfort of New York folk and inspired lyrics, is offered and enjoyed by the entire Empire Theatre audience.
It is in that inspiration that the sound of Simon and Garfunkel, certainly two of the most enduring figures from the period of time which culminated in the album Bridge Over Troubled Waters being the best selling album three years in succession, has maintained such deep love and affection in the fifty years and in such the very respectful peace and stillness in the air as each song was played was only punctured by the vibration of a thousand odd hearts dancing with sincere joy as songs such as sincerity of both men was captured by the live band and the two men performing the music that thrilled more than one generation.
The Empire Theatre crowd were not just treated to some of the duo’s best known hits and adored songs, they were given an insight into the fractious nature that working with your best friend can entail, the meaning behind the tunes and ultimately the Time in which the songs were placed before radio and live audiences. The large screen behind the band capturing the beauty and despair of the period, the flower power movement, the Vietnam war, the iconic Widnes Station blue plaque evoking memories of when the young Paul Simon made his way across the U.K. in search of a new melody; all was played out on screen, all was played out with truth and affection.
Songs such as America, Bleeker Street, The Sound of Silence, Patterns, Cecilia, Kathy’s Song, He Was My Brother, the disconcerting grace in I Am A Rock and the beloved Mrs. Robinson were framed with fondness and style by both Dean Elliott as Paul Simon and Joe Sterling as Art Garfunkel, the feeling of groovy never once leaving the stalls as reminiscences were unharnessed and allowed to run in the crowd’s minds, not many acts have that power and arguably Simon and Garfunkel’s music is very much characterised by its ability to stir such emotion in any audience.
A night of wonderful music captured in whole by performers who obviously adore the music they are playing, a generous act in which to spend time with.
Ian . Hall