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  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
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    Simon & Garfunkel - The Concert in Central Park
    Sony Music Video/Sony BMG . R4 . COLOR . 87 mins . E . PAL

      Feature
    Contract

    When Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel first teamed up in the ‘50s under the somewhat nondescript name of Tom and Jerry, few could have predicted what was to come. When the pair finally split in 1970 after a much publicised falling out, most fans would have given up on any notion of a reunion. Apart from one track in the ‘70s, My Little Town, that appeared on one of each of the pair’s solo albums of the time, there was no combined musical output. So when it was announced in 1981 that the pair had buried the hatchet (and not in each other for a change), it took most fans by surprise.

    The last few years have proved to be the time for reunions and just about everyone is doing it, even Simon and Garfunkel have announced a 2004 tour for heaven’s sake. It will be their first after almost 20 years, since the small tour that followed the Central Park concert where they played, free, to an estimated 500 000 people on a balmy September evening. The show was broadcast on television, and I can still recall sitting in my parents’ lounge room, at the age of, cough-cough mumble – something or other, mumble, little aware of what a great act they were. As soon as it was released on record (a real record made of vinyl – ask your parents, kids) I handed over the dollars, and almost wore the thing out. I then managed to snaffle a bootleg VHS tape of the show when in Hong Kong a few years later, and I have watched the thing so many times that there is almost no tape left for the video head to read.

    Now, in 2003, comes the full show in our beloved DVD format, and while it is not the best thing I have ever seen, it shites all over my worn, stretched and faded VHS tape. They really can sing up a storm, be it their own hits, solo hits or the few cover versions thrown in for good measure. Everything sounds sweet, the musicians were some of the best session musos that money could buy, and the songs were carefully chosen. All were either massive hits or very well known Simon and Garfunkel tracks. Considering they only made a handful of studio albums together, there are still some hot numbers left out.

    Simon and Garfunkel were pushing 40 at the time of the show, and while both occasionally look a little bored, don’t be fooled. When Paul Simon smiles on stage, and cracks the odd joke here and there, you know he’s having a good time. Art Garfunkel's "hands in the pockets" look is just the way he stands and his few comments to the large hometown crowd give away the fact that was vibed that night and loving every minute of it.

    Anyone who remembers the show will know that musically, the band was mostly spot on save for a few slightly miscued lyrics - a bit rusty perhaps? This just emphasises the human element and that these guys are the real deal. This is not just a DVD for ex-hippies and flower children. Anyone who loves a great tune sung with beautifully crafted melodies and harmonies is going to love it. Purchase, kick back, tune in, turn on and vibe out.

      Video
      Audio
      Extras
    Contract

    Being filmed for a television audience, the full frame aspect should surprise and disappoint no one. As said, after watching a bootlegged VHS tape of this show for the last 16 or so years, having this on DVD is like waking up all over again. The image is a lot sharper than even I had hoped for, and while not reference quality, it is quite adequate, though less sharp in the longer shots. Colours have mostly held up, and being an outdoor day/night show, there is use of rather minimal stage lighting as the show moves along. There is some colour-bleeding in evidence, but it is quite minor.

    There is some evidence of grain, and some very mild noise, but the show looks as good as it ever will. There is not much in the way of artefacts, and things such as shimmer and aliasing is very infrequent. There is some image breakup when the camera pans quickly across the crowd, and there is some mild and easily ignored edge enhancement.

    Goodbye VHS mono, hello Linear PCM stereo and, as stated on the cover, “simulated” Dolby Digital 5.1. (gotta admire the honesty) “Simulated” you ask? Yes, it is just a stereo track that has been tweaked to sound like a ‘real’ 5.1 audio, and while not the best way to hear surround sound, is actually quite good. The most obvious aspect of the surround mix is the pushing of the audience noise out to the rear speakers. This accurately reproduces the feel of a real live show. The overall sound is still front heavy with good clean vocals and guitars that are clean and clear. Bass sounds are generally warm and of reasonable depth, and the horn section certainly cuts through when required. The rear channels, however, are still used more to fill up the room than for any specific audio trickery, but it does have an outdoor concert sound.

    There are no problems with distortion, hiss or drop out. Audio-synch is not an issue, and there is no sense of instruments and vocals fighting for space. The subwoofer is not exactly over-exerted, but this is essentially an acoustic duo that occasionally rock out, not a bass ‘n’ drums hip-hop outfit.

    There is not a cracker in the way of extras I fear, (anything would have been nice, maybe even their most recent performance at the last Grammy Awards). However, unlike the Region 1 version, we do get a surround mix. That, and the recommended price easily makes the local product the preferred version.

    What can you say about an act that can still drum up interest 40 years after they first went public? Few acts of that era can generate such fascination today, and most artists would kill for Simon’s craft as a songwriter, and Garfunkel’s ability to harmonise at the drop of a hat. At long last, their wonderful Central Park concert can be enjoyed on DVD without worrying that each viewing is perhaps the last before the VHS finally disintegrates.


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  •   And I quote...
    "With more classic songs than you could poke a guitar at, these boys put most other acts to shame..."
    - Terry Kemp
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Akai
    • TV:
          TEAC CT-F803 80cm Super Flat Screen
    • Receiver:
          Pioneer VSX-D409
    • Speakers:
          Wellings
    • Centre Speaker:
          Wellings
    • Surrounds:
          Wellings
    • Subwoofer:
          Sherwood SP 210W
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard RCA
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
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