Show: The Simon And Garfunkel Story
Format: Musical
Genre: Musical
Date: January 8 2016
Location: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Rarely could the sound of silence be a good thing at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre. But with The Simon and Garfunkel Story, The Sound of Silence is ideal. The song begins in the acoustic form before the backing group adds impact to the tune. And it’s a perfect way to kick off a fun, nostalgic and entertaining evening. A night that looks back at the life and works of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
The Simon And Garfunkel Story
Description Of The Simon And Garfunkel Story
Dean Elliott and Joe Sterling played Simon and Garfunkel respectively, and both did a more than adequate job of taking the audience back to the days when the two Americans were producing timeless classics that became best-selling hits all over the world, blending soft folk music with some early incarnations of what would be popularly recognised as rock. A projector screen assists with telling the story of Simon and Garfunkel’s careers.
It covers how they met, their initial songs (they called themselves Tom and Jerry for their very first hit), and the two men getting their big break and building a legacy that would eventually see them become iconic names in music folklore and receive induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame. The screen also displayed the sights and sounds of the sixties and seventies, with some intriguing classic clips of other notable musicians and celebrities of the eras. Nostalgic costumes and wigs are another nice touch. The show also provides trivia notes and explains why the two lifelong friends would go their separate ways.
Analysis Of The Simon And Garfunkel Story
All of the recognisable Simon and Garfunkel hits are here. These include Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair and Old Friends. The latter includes some unique and emotional images on the large screen. Many other songs come from the duo’s most famous albums, although one would have to be a lifelong fan to know them all. However, the songs are so good that you would still enjoy those that you don’t recognise. The soft, almost silent approach to their work and the first-class pitching and tuning of the songs meant that every song was worth listening to, a rarity for a show of this nature.
The final solo performance by Joe Sterling of Bridge Over Troubled Water was by far the highlight; a sensational rendition, based on this, one has to believe that Sterling will himself achieve big things in the industry, such is the musical talent that he displayed here. The last song of the night was The Boxer, which not only allowed Elliott to display his own fantastic vocal range, but it had the audience on its feet to bring a very enjoyable night of music to a stirring conclusion.
Summary Of The Simon And Garfunkel Story
I felt that this show was a brilliant look back at two of the most recognisable names in music. People rightly remember the likes of The Beatles and Elvis Presley as all-time greats. However, Simon and Garfunkel left an indelible mark themselves. And they achieved unprecedented success at the same time as those icons were at their peak. Whether you’re a long-time fan, a student of the industry or simply someone who wants to hear their work for the first time, an ideal education and a perfect tribute to these two musical legends comes in the form of The Simon and Garfunkel Story.