Simon and Garfunkel - 'Live 1969'

In 1969, Simon and Garfunkel set out on what would be the final tour of their career. On Live 1969, we get a window into six performances along the string of that tour. The result is an impeccable peek into some of the greatest tunes the duo ever concoted, during the height of their career together.

I wasn’t alive in 1969. Eight years before my birth, all I know of what was going on in the world is what I’ve learned in history books and through the oral histories of my friends and family members who were around at the time. Listening to Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel Live 1969, however, it’s easy to imagine why this music was so important as to survive in its integrity still now, 38 years later. Songs like "Boxer" and "Why Don’t You Write Me" call to mind the immortal melodic tendencies of the Beatles and even Bob Dylan’s late-60s poppier moments.

I know 1969 was pretty much the peak of baby boomer youth in this country, and songs like "59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" echo the charicature of 1969 that American films have placed in my mind. Nonetheless, there are also the somewhat more cheesey numbers like "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" that seem more like an experiment in writing a song from a particular literary voice, rather than an honest sentiment in action.

The most exceptional moment on this disc comes with "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine," where the duo’s harmonies are well-appointed, in perfect symmetrical balance. Behind it all, the drums enter halfway through, building the song into more of a sentiment than the lyrics would portray. Following, the sweet jazzy piano part tinkles into clear view, with its well-placed scales and grace notes.

This is followed by "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which was fairly new to the duo’s repertoire at the time. Knowing this may have been one of the earliest performances of this seminal anthem about helping someone heal, perhaps, makes the performance that much more moving. Garfunkel's vocal crescendos and the occasional shakiness in his voice are notable, as is the chunky piano accompaniment that swells, then contracts like the temperament of "troubled water."

By the time the song grows to, "Like a bridge over troubled water / I will ease your mind," the singer's strong falsetto easily outweighs the piano accompaniment, drowning it out almost entirely.

"Sound of Silence" is another particularly strong number from this recording. It’s often difficult to translate the energy of a live performance onto an audio recording. This song transcends those limitations, however, easily translating the invigorating live performance into a touching, memorable track.

Although Simon and Garfunkel broke up a couple of years later, Live 1969 betrays no rift between the two songwriters. Their collaboration comes across strong and well worthy of mention now, 38 years later. It’s hard to not wonder whether they had any inkling at the time that their music would still be discussed nearly four decades after that performance. Regardless, Live 1969 captures an excellent performance from one of the most notable folk music duos in the history of the craft.