Paul Simon ‘The Art of Superb Simon’ PS-76055

Japan: ca. mid- to second half of 1976

Was anyone buying this LP and hoping for an audio witness of a rare Simon & Garfunkel mini-reunion on a London concert stage disappointed when listening to this? …  In December of 1975, while on tour in Europe, Paul Simon recorded a live TV special in a BBC studio (not on the 27th and not at the Palladium). As part of the finished program, two clips from Simon & Garfunkel’s appearance on Saturday Night Live from 18 October ’75 were edited in: “The Boxer” and “Scarborough Fair”. As the YouTube videos show, this special was also broadcast in Japan (were Simon had toured as early as April 1974) . This is the soundtrack of that TV special.

 

Side 1: Still crazy after all these years / Homeward Bound / I do it for your love / 50 ways to leave your lover / Toots Thielemans: Bluesette
Side 2: Loves me like a rock/ Some folks’ life’s roll easy / (Simon and Garfunkel SNL/75} The Boxer + Scarborough fair / My little town / American Tune

Paul Simon plus the following musicians:

Davin Sanborn – Alto Sax
Toots Thielemans – Guitar
Richard Tee – Electric Piano
Tony Levin – Bass Guitar
Steve Gadd – Drums

Cover photo taken at the 1972 McGovern benefit, as these images show:

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Ooops!

3649: Simon & Garfunkel ‘McGovern Benefit’ – “Come Home America!”

The text at the bottom reads: “Due to a faulty microphone there are several instances of fuzziness. This will,in no way effect your enjoyment of this genuinely historic recording.”

After separating in 1970 – pretty much at the top of their commercial success – Simon & Garfunkel had their first reunion at this benefit for presidential candidate George McGovern, who unfortunately did not win, prolonging the Viet Nam War and leading to Watergate and president Nixon’s resignation in 1974, the erosion of trust in US politics, etc. … but that’s another story.

Source: Madison Square Garden, NY on June 14, 1972

Side 1: Mrs Robinson / El Condor Pasa / The Boxer / Medley: Cecilia – Mother & Child Reunion – Bye Bye Love         
side 2: Scarborough Fair – Canticle / Feelin’ Groovy / America / Bridge Over Troubled Water