Simon & Garfunkel Tripping Down the Alleyways: The Amsterdam Broadcast 1970

By 1970, cracks had started to appear in the relationship between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, yet for many fans the finest work the duo had ever released was emerging. The success of Bookends and The Graduate soundtrack had made them one of the biggest musical acts in the world, but the resultant pressure put increased strain on them both. In 1969, Garfunkel was invited to appear in Mike Nichols' adaptation of Catch-22, to be shot in Mexico; Simon was also intended to be in the film, but his part was later written out. The resulting eight-month separation further stirred up animosity between the two, with Simon penning 'The Only Living Boy In New York' about his experience. However, upon Garfunkel's return, they entered the studio in November 1969 to record what many still consider to be their magnum opus: Bridge Over Troubled Water. Released on 26th January 1970, the album topped the charts in 10 countries, and, at the time, was the world's best-selling LP, a feat that would not be beaten until Michael Jackson's Thriller in 1982. Bridge would become a charts mainstay for years to come, spending a staggering 35 weeks at the top spot in the UK, with 285 weeks in the Top 100 between 1970 and 1975. The title track topped the singles lists in five countries, selling over six million copies and winning five Grammy Awards. The song has since been covered by more than 50 other artists, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. However, these recording sessions took an enormous toll on Paul and Art, and by the time of the album's release the two could barely face each other. As a result, despite its massive success, Simon & Garfunkel played only a handful of shows in 1970 in support of the record. One of these was at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam on 2nd May, which was the subject of a live FM broadcast and is presented here on CD for the first time.