Simon & Garfunkel Central Park: Tribute Civic June 18, 2022

Simon & Garfunkel reunited just over 40 years ago and entertained an estimated 500,000 fans at NYC’s Central Park. Last night some of New Zealand’s finest recreated that historic event in front of a much smaller crowd but a much bigger sense of camaraderie and friendship.

As most S&G fans know, their 1981 reunion was stress-filled, to say the least. The “old friends” could barely stand to be sitting next to each other and they bickered and squabbled right up until they took the stage on September 19, 1981.

Fortunately, the musicians assembled June 18, 2022 at the Civic in Auckland seemed nothing but supportive of each other.

“Standing in” for Paul and Artie were a myriad of Kiwi singers including Luke Buda and Sam Scott of The Phoenix Foundation, Age Pryor (Fly My Pretties), Anita Clark (aka Motte) and Christchurch’s Holly Arrowsmith. Each paired up with the others making them all Simon and/or Garfunkel throughout the night.

Backing them was Matthias Jordan (keys), Finn Scholes (trumpet and percussion), Nick Atkinson (sax & new dad), Brett Adams (guitar) drummer Alistair Deverick and musical director Jol Mulholland (bass).

The backing band are old hands at this now, most of whom have taken part in tributes to Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, etc and there will be more….Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and Bowie among the artists to be paid tribute too.

So, together we got the usual beautiful performances spread out of two sets and two hours beginning with Mrs. Robinson  and ending with You Can Call Me Al. If nothing else this was as much a tribute in the incredible songwriting talent of Paul Simon as much as it was to the records the duo created.

Aside from The Everly Brother’s Wake Up Little Susie and Gallagher & Lyle’s Heart In New York (a Garfunkel solo cut) Simon wrote it all…Homeward Bound, Sounds Of Silence, Bridge Of Troubled Water, Still Crazy After All These Years, The Boxer, 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover…the list is truly astonishing when you stop to think about it, making me think during the show that Mr. Simon is somehow unappreciated.

“So many harmonies!” exclaimed Age Pryor and they set up to perform Cecilia.

For me, highlights were Brett Adams’ guitar playing…as always…Anita Clark’s multi-instrumentalism…Nick and Finn’s mighty horns and, best of all, Holly Arrowsmith, whose rendition of Kathy’s Song was the absolute highlight (supported beautifully by Clark and her 200 year old violin.

“How’s everyone feeling?” we were asked several times from the stage.

Feelin’ Groovy, of course and Still Crazy After All These Years.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ivan Karczewski:

Set 1

1. Mrs. Robinson
2. Homeward Bound
3. America
4. Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard
5. Scarborough Fair
6. April Come She Will
7. Wake Up Little Susie
8. Still Crazy After All These Years
9. American Tune
10. Late In The Evening
11. Slip Slidin’ Away
12. Heart In New York
13. Kodachrome/Maybelline
14. Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Set 2

1. 50 Ways To Leave Your Love
2. The Boxer
3. Old Friends
4. The 59^th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)
5. The Sound Of Silence
6. A Hazy Shade Of Winter
7. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her
8. Cecilia
9. El Conor Pasa
10. Kathy’s Song
11. Keep The Customer Satisfied
12. The Only Living Boy In New York
13. You Can Call Me Al