NYS Music 20​14

Tag: Art Garfunkel

  • The Art of Singing: Garfunkel at the Bardavon

    Art Garfunkel, the eccentric singer from Queens, has found his voice after suddenly losing it in 2008. On Oct. 24, Garfunkel read poetry, told stories and, of course, sang to an admiring crowd at Poughkeepsie’s Bardavon Opera House.  A true master of singing, Art has reacquired his talent and is proud to share his voice with fans once again.

    garfunkel bardavonThe legendary performer was joined by Nashville native Tab Laven on the acoustic guitar for a long set of music. The room was held in reverence as Art sang Simon and Garfunkel classics “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,” “Scarborough Fair” and “Homeward Bound.” The evening included much more than Garfunkel reproducing hits, though. He painted a picture of singing to a sold out Royal Albert Hall, recalling fans leaning over five tiers to cheer him on.  Garfunkel described the tragedy of losing his voice and the challenges imposed by finding it again with a national audience listening. He joked about whether he or Paul Simon would speak at the other’s funeral, leading into a goosebumps-inducing “Sound of Silence.”

    Dressed in dark jeans, a white button-up shirt, and black vest, tufts of Art’s signature curly hair still sprouted from the sides of his head. While most of the proud anti-war singer’s hair may be gone, his vocal acuity is breathtaking once again. After taking a couple of songs to get primed, Garfunkel’s unmistakable voice carried beautifully during “Perfect Moment.” He later stated his top five favorite singers, then sang a hit from one of them—Randy Newman’s “Real Emotional Girl.”

    bardavon

    Garfunkel also read prose poetry including pieces dedicated to Jack Nicholson and his son Beau. He read another poem to a nine-year old version of himself: “Life is a fabulous mystery. You must be kind to people and remember that singing brings joy.” From 8:10-9:40 Friday night, he brought that joy, massaging souls with the melodic caress of his voice. The evening concluded with a version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” that launched the audience onto its feet, whistling and catcalling to the adoring singer.

    It is hard to imagine a singer as soothing and comfortably familiar as Art Garfunkel.  His voice is a national treasure that was on full display in Poughkeepsie Friday night.  If you get the chance, do not pass up the opportunity to catch this living legend.

  • Art Garfunkel Brings Unique Show To Peekskill

    A beautiful late spring afternoon in the lower Hudson Valley was concluded with a performance by Art Garfunkel at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theatre in Peekskill. Billed as “An Intimate Evening With Art Garfunkel,” that feeling was real from the moment of entering the theater: the audience dressed in better-than-jeans, stage dimly lit with a cloth-draped table, two microphones and a stool.

    art garfunkelGarfunkel arrived on stage to a standing ovation after a few refrains on guitar by his guitarist Tab Laven, a showing of the loyalty by his followers of many years and admiration by a few members of a younger generation in attendance. Despite having to call off a 2010 tour with long time musical partner Paul Simon due to injuries affecting his voice, it was clear that the packed theater was eager to hear the singer perform once again after four years of recovery.

    It was a unique type of show for the singer who had often performed his popular folk shows alongside Paul Simon to large audiences. Part song, part story, it reflected some of the emotion of a traditional folk concert with music mixed with spoken word and audience participation by softly singing along with some songs. Feeling nostalgic, Garfunkel shared stories and thoughts from his personal and professional life reading from handwritten notes on the backs of envelopes. He spoke of his experiences at the height of fame 44 years ago in New York City, memories of working alongside Jack Nicholson in his brief acting stint and the songwriting/recording process (particularly in regard to “Scarborough Fair/Canticle”). He reflected on the beauty and joy of his son Beau, who was one year old at the time he wrote that short poem in 2006. His story that resonated most was his “Note To Self,” one he also presented on CBS This Morning as seen here:

    Retrospective aside, Garfunkel did perform several crowd pleasing songs – major hits from his time with Paul Simon, a few covers originally by his favorite songwriters as well as some of his own recordings. With beautiful guitar intonations by Laven, the duo presented memorable performances of “The Boxer,” “Homeward Bound” (substituting “Peekskill” into the lyrics), “99 Miles From LA,” “Kathy’s Song,” and “The Sound of Silence” among others. The evening concluded with an arrangement in progress of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” where Garfunkel is working hard at bringing his voice back.

    Garfunkel started the evening with a remark about being the least jaded of performers out there. He confirmed his thought at the end of the evening with an unscripted Q&A session with the audience. He was humbled by compliments and enthusiastic in his answers often elaborating beyond the point of the question.

    Throughout his career Garfunkel had been famed for his high octave register. Fans expecting to hear that on his tour may have been let down. However, the singer who was proud to acknowledge on stage that his tour is a “public rehearsal and recovery,” did not disappoint in his performance. Now in more of a tenor/alto range, his singing had a gentleness to it that resonated wisdom in song. There were a few times where he faded to a whisper when he tried to reach the highest of notes, a sign that he still has a little more progress to make. However, it did contribute a nuance that worked into the songs nicely, especially adding grace to “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” At 72, Garfunkel showed a resilience and determination to bring his voice back 100%.

    Art Garfunkel’s performance at the Paramount will be not be forgotten by his many fan in attendance and hopefully will be planted in the memories of the younger people in attendance for years to come. While there is nothing in the books, Garfunkel had expressed his openness to touring with Paul Simon again in the future which surely would be a show not to miss based on what we saw at the Paramount.

  • Art Garfunkel Performs Song and Prose at the Paramount Hudson Valley, Saturday June 14

    GarfunkelArt Garfunkel, legendary folk singer known for his part in Simon and Garfunkel, has recently taken back to the stage after three years of recovery from vocal cord weakness with a number of performances in the greater Northeast. This Saturday, he brings his performance to the Paramount Hudson Valley one night after a nearby show at the White Plains Performing Arts Center in White Plains.

    Diagnosed with vocal paresis in 2010, Garfunkel felt a tragic loss with his inability to sing. In the time he spent off stage he took to other forms of expression in writing and poetry. In early 2013 he felt the need to return to singing, as a singer does. He has overcome the tragedy (as he calls it) by learning how to sing differently, in a lower register.

    Now over a year after his return to the stage, Garfunkel has built a performance based on his songs and writings. On his tour he is joined by guitarist Tab Laven performing songs from his years with Simon and Garfunkel, his solo work as well as covers from some of his favorite songwriters. Aside from song, Garfunkel will also share thoughts from his writings and poetry.

    Be a part of “An intimate Evening with Art Garfunkel,” an acoustic performance with songs, anecdotes and prose at the historic Paramount Hudson Valley in Peekskill this Saturday.  Tickets for this performance are available here.

    For a full listing of Art Garfunkel’s performances, visit his website here. He is scheduled for  five additional Northeast stops in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Queens before moving on to England for five performances in September.

  • An Intimate Evening with Art Garfunkel: More Spring/Summer Dates With Appearances in NY and MA

    Art Garfunkel, legendary folk singer known for his part in Simon and Garfunkel, has recently returned to the stage with a select number of acoustic performances across NY.

    Starting his tour Garfunkelthis past December Garfunkel has just announced more performance dates for late spring and early summer, with three of those stops in downstate NY and the not-too distant reaches of the Capital District. Garfunkel recently performed several shows in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut between the months of March and April.

    Be a part of “An intimate Evening with Art Garfunkel,” an acoustic performance with songs, anecdotes and prose at these nearby tour stops:

    Tour Dates:

    June 13: White Plains Performing Arts Center, White Plains, NY (Tickets now on sale here)

    June 14: Paramount Hudson Valley, Peekskill, NY (Tickets are on pre-sale until April 20, open to the public afterward here)

    June 20: Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA (Ticket sale date not yet announced)

    For a full listing of Art Garfunkel’s performances, visit his website here.