Reviews & news around 1966-1969 concerts

1967, October 28, Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois.

 From: Daily Illini, October 31, 1967, page 6.

1968, April 6: Evanston, Northwestern University, McGaw Memorial Hall.       

Campus News Briefs, April 9th, 1968:       

4900 at Simon & Garfunkel Concert       

Saturday night’s Simon and Garfunkel concert drew about 4900 persons, sophomore class officers said yesterday. But complications caused by Chicago racial disorders will cut profits.       

More than 800 ticket holders were kept from McGaw Hall program because of the 7 p.m. curfew imposed in Chicago on persons under 21 years old, said Frank Morris, sophomore vice-president. Because refunds will be made to srudents of the curfew, Morris said, total income form the concert has not been determined.       

         

1968, October 14: College Park University of Maryland / Cole Field House       

From: Diamondback, October 14th 1968, page 10:       

Sing more, complain less
The Simon and Garfunkel concert in Cole Fieldhouse Fridag night was neither long nor excellent–ans certainly not worth the admission charge.
The less-than-dynamic duo devoted more energy towards complaining about flashbulbs, refreshment stand lights and people sitting behind them than giving the good performance they are capable of. The various groups on camous who sponsor such performances should never again give these two prima donnas the chance to grudgingly take more than $32.000 for half-heartedly running quickly through their greatest hits.       

1969, November 8: SIU Arena    

 From: Daily Egyptian. November 11, 1969, page 2:     

Individuality evident. Simon and Garfunkel united by music.       

Two outstanding voices – two separate and distinct talents – Simon and Garfunkel proved they are more than a great singing duo. Each is an impressive performer in his own right.       

After being away from performing for almost a year, Simon and Garfunkel are again on tour with shows scheduled in a number of cities. SIU’s Arena stage show Saturday night was one such performance.       

The entire tour is being recorded by Columbia Records for release a  ‘live in concert’ album. This may account for the large amount of hit songs included the Arena show and for the rather brisk, business-like atmosphere.       

Simon and Garfunkel are brilliant musicians and perfectionists. To insure good quality tapes, they spent several minutes trying to eliminate a rattle, which was imperceptible to the audience, in the amplifying equipment. This broke the attentive, audience-entertainer rapport which had developed.       

During the first half of the show, there was little informal bantering between performers and audience. However, the numbers , which included ‘ Homeward Bound’, ‘America’ , ‘For Emily, whenever I may find her’  and ‘ Scarborough Fair’, were warmly received.       

For most of the second half, Simon and Garfunkel performed with the backup group that records with them. ‘ Mrs. Robinson’  the first number after the intermission, was ruined by a too-loud background and an audible whistle in the equipment.       

Not as many scond-half songs were well-known, but the performers were more informal toward the audience. They talked about their November 30 television special, CBS censorship and architecture.       

Their two encores included ‘ Bye bye love’, during which Simon’s brother,  Eddie,  joined the pair. ‘ I am a rock’ and ‘ Bookends’ . The calculated timing of their re-appearances seemed more like toying with the audience than responding to the people’s enthusiasm.       

The most impressive feature that emerged from the concert was the individualism of the two performers. Contrary to the strictly duet impression give by their albums, Simon and Garfunkel each have distinct qualities that provide a well balanced interesting show.       

Paul Simon is the musician and spokesman. He keeps the show moving and provides guitar instrumentation that fits both the voices and the tone of the songs.       

Art Garfunkel, the soft-voiced singer of the group, is the relaxed one. He stood on stage , arms folded across his chest, and sang meaningful, emotional words as though he had done it all his life.       

Though most of the songs, except several from their latest album, were well-known and all were well-received, two numbers were exceptional.       

“ Bridge over troubled water’ , a hum-like solo by Garfunkel, is one of the pieces on the new album. Garfunkel introduced it as favorite song. By the way he performed it, the song will be soon a favorite of many other people.       

The other notable  song was ‘ Sounds of silence’ the last number for their two encores. This song, the first to bring them recognition, was performed in satrk, blue spotlights that gradually closed down to nothing. The effect was theoretically striking, but, as always, the stage lighting had to compete with glazing flashbulbs cannot ruin ‘ sounds of music’ .       

A year’s vacation form performing has developed two individuals – Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel -. In-person concerts and the ‘ live’ album will undoubtedly make this evident. Emphasizing the talents of two great performers rather than the music of one famous group will make what Simon and Garfunkel have to say twice as meaningful to more people.