Monday, June 21, 2010
simon & the giant head
Simon & Garfunkel recently announced they would be canceling their summer tour due to Art Garfunkel needing more time to recover from surgery. I feel bad for their fans who had purchased tickets. They will miss one of the best shows they may ever see. I caught them live back in 2003 and it was one of the best (and most expensive) shows I have ever been to. But it was worth it. S&G is really one of my favorite acts of all time.
Of course, it wouldn't be a post from me without some unsolicited commentary though, haha. When I saw this picture of them it described everything there is to know about this duo without a single word. I love the very different way each of them is acknowledging the crowd's adoration for them. Paul Simon has that "aww shucks, you shouldn't have" grateful, genuine look on his face. His whole body shows it. On the other hand, you have Art Garfunkel. Like a warrior just returned from bloody battle. Like a leader basking in the riotous cheers of his minions, he stands, proud, arm extended, soaking up the assuredly (in his mind anyway) well deserved accolades. He has that sort of "yes I am a genius and you are right to shower me with praise" feel about him and it frankly disgusts me. As much as I love his voice and love their music, I'm sorry Art, you aren't curing cancer here. It made me recall how seriously he took himself the whole show. And it seems somehow even more ridiculous when you know that it's Paul Simon writing all these songs. Even if Art may be credited as a songwriter, who has had the long, successful solo career since they parted ways? I just find it interesting. I can see why they had a falling out all those years ago simply by looking at this picture.
