Guest Book

From http://weblogs.newsday.com/entertainmen ... te_at.html Though he had put on a great show for nearly 90 minutes up to that point, Paul Simon thrilled the celeb-heavy crowd on hand to toast the grand re-opening of the lovingly restored Beacon Theatre Friday night with the words they longed to hear: “Ladies and gentleman, my old friend Art Garfunkel.” It turned a lovely moment – celebrating what Simon called “a gift to New York City,” as the public got its first chance to see, and, just as importantly, hear, how the $16 million renovation had improved the landmark Beacon – into one for the history books. The on-again, off-again partnership of one of music’s most influential duos was – for one night, or is it two? – on again. “The fact that you still care is tremendous,” Garfunkel said, during the standing ovation that followed “The Sound of Silence,” which showed that even though they had sang together only a handful of times since their reunion tour in 2004, the legendary harmonies remained intact. Simon also took a moment to deliver a nod to the band most associated with the Beacon Theatre in recent years, joking that during the renovation, they peeled back the paint of the murals and discovered the faces of the Allman Brothers, whose annual residency starts Mar. 9 with a 12-show run. But after last night, they may have to find room on one of those murals for Simon as well. (Simon will perform at the Beacon tonight as well, though it’s unclear whether Garfunkel will once again join him.) SETLIST: Gumboots / The Boy in the Bubble / Slip Slidin’ Away / Proof / Train in the Distance / Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard / Duncan / O Vendedor de Sonhos (w/Luciana Souza) / Spirit Voices (w/Souza) / Born at the Right Time (w/Souza) / Amulet (w/Souza) / The Cool, Cool River / Father and Daughter / You Can Call Me Al // INTERMISSION / Satin Summer Nights (w/Capeman cast) / Bernadette (w/Capeman cast) / Quality (w/Capeman cast) / Adios Hermanos (w/Capeman cast) / Graceland / You’re the One / Loves Me Like a Rock / Love and Hard Times / Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes / Late in the Evening // ENCORE: The Sound of Silence (w/Art Garfunkel) / The Boxer (w/Garfunkel) / Old Friends (w/Garfunkel)