Old Friends Simon & Garfunkel: Australian & NZ Tour 2009
The Age
Friday June 19, 2009
Old Friends Simon & Garfunkel: Australian & NZ Tour 2009 120 mins, G (Sony) 4/5WITH their anticipated tour hitting our shores next week, many old fans may be wondering if the legendary folk duo still cut it, or if they have put aside their differences temporarily for one last almighty pay cheque. Judging by this new release, which includes two CDs, a live DVD and impressive extras, the former applies. Their exquisite harmonies are still greater than the sum of their parts on classic such as Scarborough Fair, I Am a Rock and Sounds of Silence. The concert opens with a montage of the fresh-faced singers performing in the '60s interspersed with footage of Nixon and other historical events leading up to their recent reformation. They even play up to their recent rift in on-stage banter. Mentioning that they first met in the grade 6 in a production of Alice in Wonderland, Simon says he played White Rabbit - "the leading role" - while his friend played the Cheshire Cat in a "very important supporting role". Extras include a photo gallery, a bonus track and the 1970 TV special Songs of America. If you can't afford next week's shows, fans could do worse than this. -- PATRICK DONOVAN
© 2009 The Age
