A young girl from a small town in Denmark, working as an au pair in New York City, was in Central Park september 19th. 1981. I was 21 years old, and all I had ever heard about Simon & Garfunkel was the song Bridge over troubled water, which my father loved. And I had no idea about what I was about to be a part of. A wonderful late summer evening in the park, with lovely tunes while the sun went down behind the scene and 500.000 people gathered at the same place. I had never experinced anything like that. Wauw! Many years later I went to another concert with the two guys in Copenhagen, but nothing compares to Central Park September 1981.
Was a Rookie NYPD Officer assigned to a Central Park "Detail". Just so happened to be this incredible event. Most "details" in those years were comprised of rookies being sent to the South Bronx, Red Hook or some other high crime gritty precinct. Despite the enormity of the crowd there was not even the slightest whiff of trouble...the whiffs that did emanate from the crowd was ganga and it smelled pretty damned good...
How sad that things have changed so dramatically. I doubt if an event of this size would even be possible these days. At any rate, thanks for your service in the uniform. 👍
for my money....the greatest ending to a huge concert ever captured on film. electric horns, funky song, tear jerking lyrics, and two enemies burying the hatchet. in front of 400,000 in their hometown NYC. epic. :-) PS: that is me (2:00 in the yellow sweater and Yankee's hat upper center left)
My brother brought the cassette tape of this concert home to Ireland from a school trip to Switzerland in 1983. I was 12 and I loved it the minute I heard it. 41 years later and I still know every word, beat, horn etc of this concert😊
I was 7 and am British. We were poor and there was no chance of going to the US. My Dad played this music over and over through my childhood. That was a blessing enough. To see this concert now on TH-cam is overwhelming. I cry through every song ❤
Yup, you nailed it. Both Paul and Art both started getting into the groove when they noticed the reaction of the crowd and Art, who never moves or displays much emotion while performing, started stamping his right leg and (for him) "dancing". I saw Paul smiling when he could hear the crowd cheering over the music. He loved that they loved the song.
I love that he is smiling too & the occasional “looks” of happiness that Art & Paul exchange, so obviously thrilled at this monumental “moment in time”( 🎵 concert) they created here in “New York City!” What a special concert!❤️
I watched the replay of the concert on PBS back in the 80's, and I've always thought there was some trepidation on including this song in the setlist because it was not a S & G song...it was a concession to Paul's solo career and an acknowledgement of his popular music outside of his work with Garfunkel. Having Art sing it alongside of him, when he never appeared on the original record, was an acknowledgement of partnership that the concert was designed to highlight. It was the best received song of the evening, as the reaction of the more than half-million audience members attests to. I think Simon realizes that at the bridge when he starts smiling and in his heart he was thinking "See...it was mostly because of me than because of us."
I saw Paul without Artie about 1980 at his open air concert in Minneapolis. When this song came on and progressed the audience went mad, the excitement, the fantastic brass makes it. I could hardly breathe from emotion for this unbelievably monster piece of such clever, mindblowing music. Everything came together. Paul looked so darn handsome too. I have never forgotten. What a guy Paul is, to think of not ever having his work is unthinkable. The brass, !!!! 🤣❤️
That has to be my number one Simon and Garfunkel song. The beat, Steve Gadd is an animal on those drums, the lyrics, it’s just a fun, happy song. ❤️👏🏽👏🏽
Our middle son loved their music ( I played it all the time & still does!) & listened to it in the ‘80’s. A real thrill to have our son love & listen to same music I grew up with(‘60’s)& love!❤️
Paul epitomizes in every song, the essence of New York while paradoxically addressing everyone living in any part of the world....not a NY native but determined to go to school there despite parental objections, having heard Paul make it sound the intoxicaing way it really is...the most magical, exciting city in the world....
Carole Werda In all of his interviews he always says this concert in Central Park is his favorite memory of his musical career. I watch it on Stingray Qello about 3 times a week - always brightens my day.
OMGOSH! How blessed you were to actually see this concert 🎵 in person!!! What an amazing concert!🎼 Simon & Garfunkel we’re always my favorite as a teenager, tied to my favorite memories growing up and are “STILL MY FAVORITES!” (Love Paul Simon’s Graceland album & his music as well!)
My go to song when I've had a few glasses of wine and feel like dancing the night away. I've told my son this is my funeral song and if it doesn't get played I'll haunt him forever and a day 😂
Art and Paul complete a voice that is from the heaven of perfect sounds. I never thought this song could get better, and it just did. Make an old hippy cry for joy.
Hard to believe this is 40 years ago today. I wasnt born untill over 20 years after this concert was recorded, but the music still gets played on the radio today. Because im never going to get to see them in concert, these recordings are as close as i can get
Italian tv broadcasted this around '82 or 83. I remember i was so enchanted i called my mother to join me in front of the screen, she was miles away from pop and didn't know who they were but appreciated them. i bought the album the day after and she liked it.
Love the sheer joy on Paul and Artie faces around the halfway mark! I have tickets to see Paul in Manchester, England, 10th July 2018, his Homeward Bound Tour. Am beyond excited. I would love it if Artie showed up too! #happythought! xxx
That’s a real shame! Paul Simon did say he would quite like a small farewell concert, but that was a while ago. Perhaps he has changed his mind. Such a shame 😢 xxx
Jess Markey; that’s what he’s saying in interviews over here. I don’t think he needs the money 😂😂! With a back catalogue like his, royalties should keep him in his old age, eh? Where are you? Am assuming the USA? 😘 xx
The drummer is showing heart and soul. Pretty decent selection of instruments, guitar, drums, sax, horns, etc.....not quite to the extend of Chicago but still a respectable variety of sounds to go with the melody.....
THIS IS COOLER THAN THE OTHER SIDE OF MY PILLOW MAN......what makes this so great is the dancing crowd.Makes you feel instantly THAT was the groove right then...palpable.
I was a seventeen year old teenager in West Berlin (Germany), when I saw this Concert in TV. Since then, I´ve seen many Stars live Tina Turner, Paul Mc Cartney, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and so on. Simon and Garfunkel never came to Berlin. That makes me sad. Very often, I see this concert in Central Park (DVD). For me is this Concert music history. The Songs of the two were never better arranged than in 1981. Thank You Art and Paul!
I adore them & this song! Incredible concert in Central Park! No one like Simon & Garfunkel!❤️Loved them them & love them now! Extraordinary songs by the two of them!
@Paul Frederic Simon “YOU ARE SOOOO WELCOME 🤗 PAUL!” I absolutely “L-O-V-E” your blog/site/videos & need to add that you do an “extraordinary job!” Love watching all your videos/posts! ♥️
I always loved this concert James! I am glad they did this as they are so amazing together! I will miss Paul as he walked away from music very recently. See you later Paul & thanks for the good memories of your songs with Art Garfunkel & your solo career! You co-wrote & wrote the songs of my youth! We shall never ever forget you Paul!
John, Elton, Sean, others and I where there that afternoon and obviously evening sitting in the grass... some people in the audience around us were really pissed off by John, that he... "It's great to do our neighborhood-concert..." this was a great event in Cental Park in the mid 80's...
The horn section had been waiting their entire life for that moment 😝🤘
They had some good moments in the other pieces too.
It’s an absolute killer / 1:51 - 2:15 👌. You see the crowd exploding at that part?⭐️
And killed it!!!
A young girl from a small town in Denmark, working as an au pair in New York City, was in Central Park september 19th. 1981. I was 21 years old, and all I had ever heard about Simon & Garfunkel was the song Bridge over troubled water, which my father loved. And I had no idea about what I was about to be a part of. A wonderful late summer evening in the park, with lovely tunes while the sun went down behind the scene and 500.000 people gathered at the same place. I had never experinced anything like that. Wauw! Many years later I went to another concert with the two guys in Copenhagen, but nothing compares to Central Park September 1981.
What a beautiful story. I wish i could have been there too. But i wasn't even born at that time. :(
I remember watching it live on HBO. I was about to turn 13. Would have loved to be there!
👍 👍
@@sallyphillips9175 Yes! I remember the live broadcast on HBO now, thanks, we're about the same age but I had forgotten that!
Thanks for sharing.. beautiful.. I watched it as a youngish kid in Australia
Its so wonderful that they are still both alive when we have lost so many others
No big screens, no cheesy stage explosions or effects, just the music and nothing else. Awesome.
They are the very best!,,,,,,,,,,,,
Just the music and lyrics the meaning of which we can relate to...
So true .
isuckatdrawing yes, something else : Simon and Garfunkel !!!!!!! Just them!!!!!!!!!
@@carolalwood4610 Totally!
Paul Simon is a poet for the ages.
People were feeling a bit sleepy,until this song came.
In the book Artie wrote there is a mention about the black vest that he wears. He said his mother made it for him. Looks great. Love this man.
Steve Gadd on drums. One of the all time greats.
And legendary Grady Tate rest in peace also on drums.
It was a magical night - but how can it possibly be 40 years ago?
Just pure class.
Plus que magnifique ❤❤❤👍👍
It was late in the evening, and they blew that park away!!
Paul is the greatest American composer.
I was there. This was the most electrified ending of ANY concert I've ever been to! Imagine 500,000 all dancing and loving life at once. :)
I've always loved how Art turns around to get lost in that amazing horn section.
I feel the same way! The horn section was absolutely extraordinary!!!💕
1981. We were there. Best concert ever in the USA.
You lucky sod! They were brilliant, weren't they?
Lucky you's
Lucky YOU. Wish I could have been there.
Wish I could have been there. Sadly I was not even born yet! 😭
2004 generation, LUCKY YOU!
That drummer should keep at it, he's pretty good!😂🤣🤣
Best drummer EVER! wow...
Simon...Great writer
The lyrics, the music, the horns, the voices of Simon and Garfunkel----put together with a rocking beat. This song could cheer anyone up !
How right you are!
OH YEAH! And they blew Central Park away! 😸☺️
Steve Gad keeping time
Grandios! Das tut es! ❤🎶🎵💃🏼
Man, they could have continued that jam for another 5 minutes with solos etc!
Incredible musicians up there, including the amazing Steve Gadd on drums.
Paul Simon with Steve Gadd on drums is pure gold
Was a Rookie NYPD Officer assigned to a Central Park "Detail". Just so happened to be this incredible event. Most "details" in those years were comprised of rookies being sent to the South Bronx, Red Hook or some other high crime gritty precinct. Despite the enormity of the crowd there was not even the slightest whiff of trouble...the whiffs that did emanate from the crowd was ganga and it smelled pretty damned good...
How sad that things have changed so dramatically. I doubt if an event of this size would even be possible these days.
At any rate, thanks for your service in the uniform. 👍
for my money....the greatest ending to a huge concert ever captured on film. electric horns, funky song, tear jerking lyrics, and two enemies burying the hatchet. in front of 400,000 in their hometown NYC. epic. :-) PS: that is me (2:00 in the yellow sweater and Yankee's hat upper center left)
Man, you were a groovin"!!! lol
James Parsons Duncker . Love, love, love your memories of this! Thanks for sharing; priceless! Love from England 😘 xxx
hahaha! Fantastic dancing from you.
Another day, another easy morning treating myself to a bit of musical magic! Morning James, if you are watching 😃😘 xxx
Excellent! This and 50 Ways features superb drumming from Stevie Gadd, What a track, you were a lucky man to have witnessed greatness!
My brother brought the cassette tape of this concert home to Ireland from a school trip to Switzerland in 1983. I was 12 and I loved it the minute I heard it. 41 years later and I still know every word, beat, horn etc of this concert😊
I was 7 and am British. We were poor and there was no chance of going to the US. My Dad played this music over and over through my childhood. That was a blessing enough. To see this concert now on TH-cam is overwhelming. I cry through every song ❤
"It was late in the evening, and I blew that room away!" So damn good.
One of my favorite parts of the 🎼song 🎵 & admittedly, there are “many!” Ha! Just loved this whole 🎶 extraordinary concert!❤️
Brilliant song but let’s not forget the wonderful wind section and….Mr Steve Gadd who does an tremendous drums job!
From 2:20 to about 2:40 Paul is smiling - the longest stretch I've ever seen. Love that he's enjoying himself!
Yup, you nailed it. Both Paul and Art both started getting into the groove when they noticed the reaction of the crowd and Art, who never moves or displays much emotion while performing, started stamping his right leg and (for him) "dancing". I saw Paul smiling when he could hear the crowd cheering over the music. He loved that they loved the song.
They kind of exchanged a smile towards the end ... feeling good.
He loved the fact many people got on their feet to dance during the horns
@@janetaldrich7747 or I I guess you could say, feelin' groovy.
I love that he is smiling too & the occasional “looks” of happiness that Art & Paul exchange, so obviously thrilled at this monumental “moment in time”( 🎵 concert) they created here in “New York City!” What a special concert!❤️
I watched the replay of the concert on PBS back in the 80's, and I've always thought there was some trepidation on including this song in the setlist because it was not a S & G song...it was a concession to Paul's solo career and an acknowledgement of his popular music outside of his work with Garfunkel. Having Art sing it alongside of him, when he never appeared on the original record, was an acknowledgement of partnership that the concert was designed to highlight.
It was the best received song of the evening, as the reaction of the more than half-million audience members attests to. I think Simon realizes that at the bridge when he starts smiling and in his heart he was thinking "See...it was mostly because of me than because of us."
I saw Paul without Artie about 1980 at his open air concert in Minneapolis. When this song came on and progressed the audience went mad, the excitement, the fantastic brass makes it. I could hardly breathe from emotion for this unbelievably monster piece of such clever, mindblowing music. Everything came together. Paul looked so darn handsome too. I have never forgotten. What a guy Paul is, to think of not ever having his work is unthinkable. The brass, !!!! 🤣❤️
That has to be my number one Simon and Garfunkel song. The beat, Steve Gadd is an animal on those drums, the lyrics, it’s just a fun, happy song. ❤️👏🏽👏🏽
I always loved that little guitar lick after he sings, "I stepped outside and smoked myself a J."
WhiteRussianrock That's David Brown from Billy Joel band.
@@天倉正裕 makes it even better
I love that too💋
I call a splif a "J" in homage of them
💋💋
I used to watch this concert with my dad, as a kid. It made me a S&G fan for life! Thanks, dad!
Same here
Our middle son loved their music ( I played it all the time & still does!) & listened to it in the ‘80’s. A real thrill to have our son love & listen to same music I grew up with(‘60’s)& love!❤️
Paul epitomizes in every song, the essence of New York while paradoxically addressing everyone living in any part of the world....not a NY native but determined to go to school there despite parental objections, having heard Paul make it sound the intoxicaing way it really is...the most magical, exciting city in the world....
I totally agree with you about Paul, he draws from the charm and poetic beauty in the city. I'd love to go!
To be there- young, alive, inspired. Life probably felt TOO good...
Thank you!
Artie looks like he is having so much fun in this song......like he wanted the concert to go on and on.
I would have loved to have been there dammit.
Carole Werda In all of his interviews he always says this concert in Central Park is his favorite memory of his musical career. I watch it on Stingray Qello about 3 times a week - always brightens my day.
@@ruthiekumar8770 I would have loved to have been there too, Ruthie!
Love Paul here full of confidence in his own music and blasting this song out ... great backing arrangements
Musiker, Publikum und die beiden einfach nur Weltklasse!
Gadd!!! on it
Paul Simon is what I call a great non-classical composer. How does he put all the instruments together, including vocal, to produce such a great song
I love Art, but Paul is extra cute in this concert
Deserves to be noticed
I just love watching this concert over and over again👍😊
Me too 🥰
❤ one of the greatest concerts ever happened. ..i remember watching it on tv with my father when i was a kid.. 🐬
This Song can get anyone Dancing, Thank you Paul & Art.
Paul Simon is up there with the Greatest Guitar Players of All Time
I like these 2 guys. I wish they liked each other
.
This cheered me up tonight
I remember watching this on HBO. Classic and back when 25” Console TV’s and sliding wired cable boxes were state of the art.
My favorite Paul Simon song EVER!! ♥️ this duet. Thanks guys!
I was 17 and was in NYC when this concert happened!!!! What a show!!!
OMGOSH! How blessed you were to actually see this concert 🎵 in person!!! What an amazing concert!🎼 Simon & Garfunkel we’re always my favorite as a teenager, tied to my favorite memories growing up and are “STILL MY FAVORITES!” (Love Paul Simon’s Graceland album & his music as well!)
A simple stage, highly professional musicians, no lighting effects (or half-naked chorus girls) - but deliver a historically good concert.
My go to song when I've had a few glasses of wine and feel like dancing the night away. I've told my son this is my funeral song and if it doesn't get played I'll haunt him forever and a day 😂
Art and Paul complete a voice that is from the heaven of perfect sounds. I never thought this song could get better, and it just did. Make an old hippy cry for joy.
How true!
Absolute masterpiece! It's always an emotion to listen to this song!
노라운 것은 코드 3개로 연주 하는 곡이라는 것!^^❤😂🎉😮😅😊 👍 ^^;;;
Hard to believe this is 40 years ago today. I wasnt born untill over 20 years after this concert was recorded, but the music still gets played on the radio today. Because im never going to get to see them in concert, these recordings are as close as i can get
Italian tv broadcasted this around '82 or 83. I remember i was so enchanted i called my mother to join me in front of the screen, she was miles away from pop and didn't know who they were but appreciated them. i bought the album the day after and she liked it.
Wish I had been there
Fabulous.....after all these years!!
If this song doesn't get you tappin' you are dead.
Love the sheer joy on Paul and Artie faces around the halfway mark! I have tickets to see Paul in Manchester, England, 10th July 2018, his Homeward Bound Tour. Am beyond excited. I would love it if Artie showed up too! #happythought! xxx
artie wont be there, he has his own tour at the same time. they will never sing together again
That’s a real shame! Paul Simon did say he would quite like a small farewell concert, but that was a while ago. Perhaps he has changed his mind. Such a shame 😢 xxx
I know. I believe this is his farewell.
Jess Markey; that’s what he’s saying in interviews over here. I don’t think he needs the money 😂😂! With a back catalogue like his, royalties should keep him in his old age, eh? Where are you? Am assuming the USA? 😘 xx
This music will never die!
Absolutely magnificent concert
Gadd and Jackson................ one hell of a rhythm section
What a great song. I never heard this when I was young, in Australia. I love it.
Magnifique ❤❤❤👍👍
What a track 🔥❤️🔥🔥❤️🔥🫶🏼
The drummer is showing heart and soul. Pretty decent selection of instruments, guitar, drums, sax, horns, etc.....not quite to the extend of Chicago but still a respectable variety of sounds to go with the melody.....
"The drummer is showing heart and soul."
Oh my. You don't know who he is, do you?
THIS IS COOLER THAN THE OTHER SIDE OF MY PILLOW MAN......what makes this so great is the dancing crowd.Makes you feel instantly THAT was the groove right then...palpable.
I'm Korean. realy realy I love SIMON & GARFUNKEL. endless loev!!!!!!!^^♡^^
Always thought Paul Simon was a musical genius.... but never realised Art was also.. great stuff this thanks for posting
Fantastic!Love the Latin rhythms and positive energy of this song.
Yeah, music doesn't get more happy and swinging than this song.
That was one smoking groove: what a band - and those HORNS! OMG!
for me,, EVERY song they did there is THE version I want to hear
Steve Gadd... Groove Monster!!!
🔥🥁
I was a seventeen year old teenager in West Berlin (Germany), when I saw this Concert in TV. Since then, I´ve seen many Stars live Tina Turner, Paul Mc Cartney, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and so on. Simon and Garfunkel never came to Berlin. That makes me sad. Very often, I see this concert in Central Park (DVD). For me is this Concert music history. The Songs of the two were never better arranged than in 1981. Thank You Art and Paul!
What a beautiful scene. No phones, just happy people, connecting and enjoying the moment.
Everbody that went to this concert should be soooooo Happy! Iconic!
Awesome Steve Gadd on drums
I love this....the band is amazing, and, well, the two front men are very special. They compliment each other....
complement...
Actually: she was correct its compliment.
Nope. Compliment is to say something nice. Complement is to complete.
I adore them & this song! Incredible concert in Central Park! No one like Simon & Garfunkel!❤️Loved them them & love them now! Extraordinary songs by the two of them!
@Paul Frederic Simon “YOU ARE SOOOO WELCOME 🤗 PAUL!” I absolutely “L-O-V-E” your blog/site/videos & need to add that you do an “extraordinary job!” Love watching all your videos/posts! ♥️
@Paul Frederic Simon Thank-you so much Paul for letting me know! “YOU TRULY ARE THE BEST!!!” 😁
Parte de lo mejor de los 70'S !!!!!
I always loved this concert James! I am glad they did this as they are so amazing together! I will miss Paul as he walked away from music very recently. See you later Paul & thanks for the good memories of your songs with Art Garfunkel & your solo career! You co-wrote & wrote the songs of my youth! We shall never ever forget you Paul!
Je m'en souviens c'était dans les années 1980,
a Centrale Park.
Magnifique et toujours super dans la rythmique.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Great song! Great concert!
A masterpiece!!
WOW
John, Elton, Sean, others and I where there that afternoon and obviously evening sitting in the grass... some people in the audience around us were really pissed off by John, that he... "It's great to do our neighborhood-concert..." this was a great event in Cental Park in the mid 80's...
Steve Gadd on drums, a giant
Music at the highest level
Always good
paul & artie look so happy here. Greateast duo, ever !!#
Our second date. It’s a memory that still holds us together. Been married 38 years now.
Merci du partage ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
When I was a kid My elder sister used to Listen S&G almost every day it made me a fan for life!
This is such a good song. Played it only yesterday.
I have to say that I prefer the studio version without Art though.
J'adoooore
I was there, such good memories.
Fantastic concert love this song Brilliant
I was at this concert...so long ago, but, seems like just yesterday...best concert ever!!!!