Monday, November 12, 2012

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme

The first time I ever heard of Simon & Garfunkel, was the summer I was 22. I was young. I was in love. I was engaged. And I was on a double date.

My bff and I had cooked up a scheme. There is a fantastic musical fountain light display every summer night in Grand Haven. A picnic, a walk along the pier with our guys, and the fountain finale=perfect double date!

We picked a random summer Sunday evening, and took off. Now, for as long as I could remember, they played sacred selections on Sunday nights. Except, that year they shook things up a bit, and we happened upon a not sacred selection Sunday.

As a matter of fact, it was the music of Simon & Garfunkel. Everyone else was pleased when they heard this news. Me, I was clueless.

I don't remember what songs they played, but I am sure the Scarborough Fair, the Sound of Silence, and maybe even Mrs. Robinson, got a hearing. Swaying fountains to groovy music. Oh yeah!

I was hooked.

I love the tenor and the baritone pairing. I love that their songs are upbeat and fun.

I love how "parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme" rolls through my head every time I'm seasoning chicken. If it worked for a song, why not for baked poultry? (it is a great combo, btw)

I love how recognizable their songs are. I know more of their songs than either the Beatles or the Beach Boys.

So, when I heard last spring, that the GR Symphony had Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel on the docket for the fall, I was ready to go camp outside the ticket office for my pair.

Thankfully, it didn't come to that. The symphony reintroduced choose your own series tickets this year, and since we were subscribers last season, we got first dibs.

We've lined up a great season of 2 pops concerts and 1 classical-in a nod to Mr. Hippie's tastes.

We have premium tickets this year. We are on the floor, in the orchestra section. We are up 7 rows, over to the right. High enough to see without craning. Close enough to see nose hairs-if desired.

And last night was our first concert. Simon & Garfunkel. Sigh...

The GR Symphony really rocks out on these pops concerts. They are phenomenal! My favorite part of attending the symphony is watching the musicians play. And last night you could tell they were really enjoying themselves.

And the crowd was going wild. Seriously. If it hadn't been a symphony concert, panties may have started flying. (not that I've ever been at a concert where that has happened. But you hear things.)

Which I think added to the enjoyment of the orchestra. Don't we all love to create for an appreciative audience?!

Anyway, fun concert. Funny conductor. They brought in Michael Krajewski to lead things. He had a great sense of humor. He tells jokes, and interacted well with the symphony and audience. He also played the piano for 2 pieces. And he was really good. I really enjoyed him.

AJ Swearingten and Jonathan Beedle were the Simon & Garfunkel duo. They have been singing S & G together for over 20 years, and have been touring the country doing this particular show for 10 years.  The show was filled with popular S & G pieces. Some were backed up by the whole orchestra. Some were just the two of them and the guitar.

I think I liked those ones the best.

They sang the "groovy" song, which I had never heard before. It is actually called The 59th St. Bridge Song. We laughed at Cecilia. I don't think I have ever heard those entire lyrics before. Their encore performance was Li-li-li. Whatever that is properly called.

Perfect song for the Barefoot Hippie Girl

I tapped my toes through a whole lot of the concert, and left feeling on the top of the world. Of all the concerts were have been to with the GR Symphony, this would rank probably number 2 or 3. Leahy will always hold the top spot.

Simon and Garfunkel still make the perfect Barefoot Hippie date. What is your favorite Simon & Garfunkel song?