okpfloyd

Art Garfunkel – 22 February 2008 – Civic Center – Oklahoma City, OK

What a night, Art Garfunkel and his band, backed by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra performed an excellent show. I had forgotten that Art was a bit before my time and the crowd was mostly geriatric, nestled in their Depends, and probably with fresh hearing aid batteries installed. We pondered popping some balloons that were in the lobby to see how many would fall out but changed our minds for some reason. Oh, and after seeing about 300 shows in my life this was the first time I’d ever lost my tickets..somewhere in the lobby…lol…but someone turned them in and we retrieved them in time for the start....dumb ass!

The orchestra opened the show and played dozens of snippets from past composers such as Rogers and Hammerstein and other show tune era composers….ok, so it was not our bag and we spent part one in the lobby but once Art came out that was forgotten.

Many older singers I’ve seen lately have had some grainy voices and are no longer able to sing their songs as well as they used to but Art maintained well. He’s in his 60’s and while couldn’t sing strongly and lasting on some songs his voice came across very well.

He started the show with El Conder Pasa (If I could) then went right into Scarborough Fair, the orchestra fitting perfectly in. A beautiful and even mix but could have been louder. It appears they used the house PA for his voice and relied on a few small speakers for the rest.

Art then sang The Boxer before going into his solo songs such at Dreamline as well as a few choice favorites of his: I Only Have Eyes For You and a Billy Joel song I’d never heard before but back to his Simon and Garfunkel songs that were so perfectly done. Kathy’s Song, The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and even threw in Paul’s solos hit: American Tune.

On American Tune he said, “I don’t mean to be political”...I guess he was considering that he was in the ever-conservative Middle Earth area but I made sure I applauded when he sang the line, “I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered”…which was a response to the ovation he got when he sang the line from Mrs. Robinson, “Jesus loves you more that you can know”.

Had to get my digs in…lol.

Overall we were totally sated…I often closed my eyes and soaked in the classic songs they did, especially on Bridge I felt like I was in the most peaceful state of mind possible.

Having seen Paul Simon solo this felt like the circle was completed on seeing Art and hearing his voice again on the S&G’s classic songs.

If his show is within 1000 miles of you I suggest you go.

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“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act”.

George Orwell

Alwayzpeaceful

Nice review.

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SMILE

Teri B.

I sure like them better together than apart. Bridge Over Trouble Waters is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Oh man, and The Sounds of Silence too

I envy you. It sounds like it was a great experience.



There's a youtube comment under the Bridge video, "beauty like that redeem[s] the human race a bit." How true . . .

okpfloyd

Not a good recording but I forgot he played this....lol....what a great show it was...

__________________
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act”.

George Orwell