Art Garfunkel revealed in a recent interview with U.K. newspaper The Sun that he met with Paul Simon a few weeks ago for the first time in many years. Garfunkel said he cried during the get-together, which he described as “very, very warm and wonderful.”
Videos by American Songwriter
Art shared some more details about his meeting with his former musical partner during an appearance on Monday, November 4, on the TalkShopLive streaming channel with his 33-year-old son, Art Garfunkel Jr. Garfunkel and his kid were on hand to promote their new duets album, Father and Son, which will be released this Friday, November 8.
Speaking with TalkShopLive host Steve Harkins, Garfunkel said of his reunion with Simon, “We met each other recently for the first time in years. We got to hang out for a brief time. It was lovely. It had hugs in it. It had tears in it. It was wonderful to see Paul.”
Art also explained how the get-together was arranged.
“He has an ex-wife [Peggy] who moved into the same place that I use as a studio,” Garfunkel revealed. “And I knew that I was going to run into Harper, their son. And Harper set up a dinner with Paul and I. And it was very warm, lovely.”
Don't miss the iconic father-son duo, Art Garfunkel & Art Garfunkel Jr., LIVE! Ask questions, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and snag a signed copy of their brand-new album. 🎶
— talkshoplive (@TalkShopLive) November 4, 2024
🎥 + 🛒: https://t.co/KgVVoED0qM pic.twitter.com/Nwq89H4NIR
Garfunkel on Whether He’d Like to Sing with Simon Again
Not surprisingly, Harkins also asked Garfunkel if he’d be interested in singing with Simon again.
“I would,” he said. “I don’t know how Paul feels. Paul is having trouble with his ear. His hearing is impaired, so I’m not sure where he’s at, but I’d still do it. I love it and I’m open to it.”
Added Art’s son, “That would be a very, very exciting notion, wouldn’t it?”
The last time Simon and Garfunkel performed together was in 2010. After that, the duo had a serious falling-out that arose after a planed tour was postponed because Garfunkel was experiencing vocal issues. It was the latest in a series of spats that have occurred between the two over the years.
Garfunkel Recalls How He and Simon Used to Work on New Songs
At one point in the interview, Harkins gently pushed Garfunkel for details about his get-together with Simon. Instead, Art shared recollections on how his meetings with Paul would unfold when they were working together as a musical duo.
“When people hang out, what do they do? They have a coffee together; they smoke cigarettes together,” he noted. “In Paul and Artie’s case, Paul would invariably say, ‘Let me show you the latest thing I’m working on.’ He’d pick up his guitar and he’d play something that he had been working on. And I would, because he’s such a serious talent, I’d fall out. I’d go crazy over how good it is.”
Art continued, “Paul would be so charged by the authentic reaction that Artie has. He trusted my ears, so the reinforcement that I would give Paul worked magic for Paul. And he would play great. He would love the song all the more. We’d start working together on what he’s working on, and there would be new material.”
About Father and Son and a New Cover of “Old Friends”
The majority of the TalkShopLive appearance focused on Art and Art Jr.’s Father and Son album, on which they’re billed as Garfunkel & Garfunkel. The 12-track album includes a cover of the Simon-penned 1968 Simon & Garfunkel song “Old Friends.”
“Isn’t that a nice one?” Garfunkel commented, “Paul Simon is a great writer. From the opening chords of ‘Old Friends,’ you’re captured.”
Father and Son also features popular songs by The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, Cyndi Lauper, Eurythmics, and Don McLean. It also includes a few of Garfunkel’s favorite pop standards.
Fans can purchase signed CD and vinyl-LP copies of Father and Son exclusively at the TalkShopLive website. The CDs are priced at $16.98, while the LPs cost $29.98.
The album also can be pre-ordered here.
Garfunkel’s Upcoming Concerts
Garfunkel has a five-night engagement with Art Jr., as well as with his wife, and other son, at Café Carlyle in New York City. The Garfunkels’ performances are scheduled for November 12-16.
Art Jr. revealed during the TalkShopLive episode that they were planning to sing five Simon & Garfunkel songs at the concerts.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.