Simon and Garfunkel

Rip It Up, Issue 68, 1 March 1983, Page 29

Simon and Garfunkel

George Kay

Western Springs, Feb 18 To say one went along for the backing group is a bit like claiming to buy Penthouse for the articles. But how often do we get the chance to see a top-notch, ten piece band? What I should have realised was that, in being strictly confined to the S&G format, those musicians would rarely move beyond second gear. Luckily there was a handful of songs where they did get to show their paces: 'SO Ways', 'Still Crazy', Tate In The Evening', 'Maybelline' and Little Richard's tribute to this magazine. These numbers also showed apart from the fact that Paul and Artie shouldn't attempt Little Richard - how few in the 40,000 strong crowd wanted to dance. Judging by the applause, a large section of the audience thought Garfunkel's 'Bright Eyes' one of the evening's highlights. Garfunkel, of course, remains the archetypal wimp. (His only real justification for being there is to sing harmonies and during the first half-hour these were painfully off.) It is sad that Garfunkel's name, tagged on to Simon's, should occasion larger crowds than if Paul were to tour alone, because undoubtedly, . Simon's most mature work has been done in his subsequent solo career. In contrast to his colleague's stiff approach, Simon seemed at ease, willing to slightly vary his melodies and vocal delivery. Unfortunately his relaxed approach and pianist Richard Tee's few moments of improvisation were virtually the evening's only elements of spontaneity. It was a concert characterized by no surprises. Peter Thomson Broom Valley Festival Dunedin, March 5. The fourth, and most successful, of Hank Van Der Vis's homegrown festivals featured a mixture of Dunedin and ChCh rock'n'roll. Opening the proceedings, Christchurch's Toerag came on like a veteran of bootboy wars. A bad unbalanced sound and bad songs made it easy for the Pioneer Pog 'n' Scroggin' Band to provide folk/jug band relief before the second Christchurch act, the cheerfully named Scorched Earth Policy took over. This five piece, some of them suffering from good Scotch, played their narrative

New Order doomsday songs, some effective, some lame. Dunedin's Blue Meanies followed and carried the afternoon. It was their first appearance after a six month break. Tight and plugged into the trash/beat pop of the sixties, guitarist Max Satchell made sure they had the instrumental suss to dish up their originals and off-centre covers. Gamaunche a respected three piece drew wry smiles for their humour and some admiration for their songs. Guitarist Richard Wallis is worth watching. I missed the Chant and Soft Parade. Maybe next month.