Art Garfunkel - Across America

He’s been about a bit

This live album originally appeared in 1996 to mark the end of an on-off 12-year trek, during which Garfunkel played in almost every possible pocket of his homeland. The recording comes from New York’s Registry Hall on Ellis Island, formerly the site where immigrants, Art’s ancestors included, first set foot on US soil.

While there are no quibbles about the performances themselves, surely the singer missed an opportunity to delve into the nation’s rich musical history. Instead, it’s a pretty predictable set of solo hits and past glories with Paul Simon. A bit of Gershwin, Cole Porter, maybe even Dylan or Leiber & Stoller would have better suited the “journey” theme.

A passable Everlys impersonation on the James Taylor duet of Cryin’ In The Rain stands out, mainly because it’s the only surprise on offer. Reissued presumably to herald his latest series of British dates, at least the bonus DVD includes some pretty shots of American scenery, but a more thoughtful combination of sounds and images might have been a better idea.

Proper | PRPCD 042 (CD+DVD)

Reviewed by Terry Staunton
<< Back to Issue 356