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Art Garfunkel Lashes Out at Paul Simon in New Interview
Singer accuses his former partner of having Napoleonic complex, preventing reunion tour

BY DANIEL KREPS May 24, 2015


Art Garfunkel lashed out at his former Simon & Garfunkel partner Paul Simon in a scathing new interview where the singer accuses Simon of suffering from a Napoleonic complex and suppressing Garfunkel's creativity. Speaking to The Telegraph, Garfunkel also cites Simon as the reason why the duo aren't embarking on a reunion tour and even takes a mild jab at Paul McCartney.


"Will I do another tour with Paul? Well, that's quite doable. As far as this half is concerned, why not? But I've been in that same place for decades. This is where I was in 1971." Garfunkel said before pretending to address Simon. "How can you walk away from this lucky place on top of the world, Paul? What's going on with you, you idiot? How could you let that go, jerk?"

Garfunkel also talked about befriending Simon when they were school kids because Garfunkel felt sorry for Simon because of his height. "And that compensation gesture has created a monster," Garfunkel said. When asked if Simon has a Napoleonic complex, he responded, "I think you're on to something. I would say so, yes."

Regarding their post-Bridge Over Troubled Water breakup, Garfunkel said, "It was very strange. Not my choice. Nothing I would have done. I want to open up about this. I don't want to say any anti-Paul Simon things, and I love that the world still loves Simon & Garfunkel, but it seems very perverse to not enjoy the glory and walk away from it instead. Crazy. What I would have done is take a rest from Paul, because he was getting on my nerves. A rest was very much called for. The jokes had run dry. But a rest of a year was all I needed."

In the interview, Garfunkel relays an anecdote about meeting George Harrison and how the Beatles guitarist compared Paul Simon to Paul McCartney. "George came up to me at a party once and said 'my Paul is to me what your Paul is to you.' He meant that psychologically they had the same effect on us. The Pauls sidelined us," Garfunkel said. "I think George felt suppressed by Paul and I think that's what he saw with me and my Paul. Here's the truth: McCartney was a helluva music man who gave the band its energy, but he also ran away with a lot of the glory."

Simon & Garfunkel last performed together in July 2010. In recent years, Garfunkel has suffered through vocal problems, but he told Rolling Stone in February 2014 that his voice had returned to 96-percent strength. Garfunkel told The Telegraph that he has "now almost fully recovered it." Garfunkel also told Rolling Stone that he believed he and Simon would reunite to tour again.

"It takes two to tango. I don't want to be the blushing bride waiting for Paul Simon to walk down the aisle," Garfunkel said. "If he's too busy to work with me I guess the real answer to your question is, 'I'm too busy to work with him.' I think that's the only answer I can give you for pride's sake."

Instead, Simon continued his co-headlining tour with Sting, where that duo frequently performed "Bridge Over Troubled Water" together, much to the chagrin of Garfunkel, according to The Telegraph.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-05-25 16:52 by tatters.

Thanks.

Artie is a bit of an odd duck. I saw him solo a couple of times, maybe 10 or 15 years ago. At one point, for no particular reason, he listed the people he considers to be his top five most favorite songwriters. Paul was fourth, below James Taylor, and he wasn't kidding.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-05-25 17:07 by tatters.

Art is right. Simon is a dwarf with a Napoleon complex. Like Putin.

I love Simon, Graceland is one of my top three favorite records of all time. But he seems convinced that people don't know he's a genius songwriter when of course he is widely recognized as such. While Simon is prickly and insecure, Garfunkel is weird, weepy, saccharine, and socially awkward.

After listening to this, I completely understand why Paul hasn't wanted to make a record with this guy for the last 45 years.

[www.youtube.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-05-25 17:54 by tatters.

They actually have recorded together twice since the days of Bulge Under Rumpled Trousers.

There was 1975's comeback hit My Little Town





and there was the 1983 reunion album Hearts and Bones... that is, until Paul Simon wiped Garfunkel's vocals and put it out as a solo album instead.

Quote
tatters
After listening to this, I completely understand why Paul hasn't wanted to make a record with this guy for the last 45 years.

[www.youtube.com]

lol lol lol
this is great

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tatters
After listening to this, I completely understand why Paul hasn't wanted to make a record with this guy for the last 45 years.

[www.youtube.com]

lol lol lol
this is great

Extremely funny indeed, and he also says: "Less is more". He must have been listening to Keith Richards. Well, nothing is even more yet, I would add.

Funny I believe it was two years ago when Simon defended Arte big time when he was shot down in the press. Simon called him a great producer and musicians when he was called , I'm paraphrasing " a secondg hand fiddle".

if anybody wants to hear talent listen to So Beautiful Or So What, Simons last cd.

Here is something I learned that totally changed my mind on the "Genius" of Paul Simon...terrible to think he would do this crap.

[ultimateclassicrock.com]

"Napoleonic complex"

Well both are/were geniuses so it's a compliment after all...
I'm sure Paulie would resent the fact that Art said he has "a Bush Jr complex" ><

Paul is a great person and easy going, Art is even nicer. Simon may not want a reunion which is a shame, Art wants it and is baiting him. Individually they are super nice old hippies.

If you don't have anything nice to say, you might best go with the sounds of silence. It's not like Mick and Keith in the 80s, these guys have been separate for years and it's probably a good thing.

Best thread title ever.

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kleermaker

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Send It To me

Quote
tatters
After listening to this, I completely understand why Paul hasn't wanted to make a record with this guy for the last 45 years.

[www.youtube.com]

lol lol lol
this is great

Extremely funny indeed, and he also says: "Less is more". He must have been listening to Keith Richards. Well, nothing is even more yet, I would add.

"Hatred for the song is what I feel now". I was going to post this, but was beaten to the punch. This is hilarious. I love how the engineer just tries to move the session along, but can't because of Artie's self-important rambling.

Quote
71Tele

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kleermaker

Quote
Send It To me

Quote
tatters
After listening to this, I completely understand why Paul hasn't wanted to make a record with this guy for the last 45 years.

[www.youtube.com]

lol lol lol
this is great

Extremely funny indeed, and he also says: "Less is more". He must have been listening to Keith Richards. Well, nothing is even more yet, I would add.

"Hatred for the song is what I feel now". I was going to post this, but was beaten to the punch. This is hilarious. I love how the engineer just tries to move the session along, but can't because of Artie's self-important rambling.

Still they did great things together. This is one of my favourites:

Quote
kleermaker

Quote
71Tele

Quote
kleermaker

Quote
Send It To me

Quote
tatters
After listening to this, I completely understand why Paul hasn't wanted to make a record with this guy for the last 45 years.

[www.youtube.com]

lol lol lol
this is great

Extremely funny indeed, and he also says: "Less is more". He must have been listening to Keith Richards. Well, nothing is even more yet, I would add.

"Hatred for the song is what I feel now". I was going to post this, but was beaten to the punch. This is hilarious. I love how the engineer just tries to move the session along, but can't because of Artie's self-important rambling.

Still they did great things together. This is one of my favourites:

Yes, indeed they did. In fact I covered this song on my solo album.