The art of being Garfunkel

You never know what Art Garfunkel is going to say during an interview.

The Rock ‘n' Roll Hall of Famer, who was enshrined as half of the iconic duo Simon & Garfunkel in 1990, is thoughtful but wildly unpredictable. That's especially so if it's about his old and apparently estranged friend Paul Simon, who is wrapping up his farewell tour.

Garfunkel, 76, claims he will never be on such a jaunt. He will perform Sept. 21 at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids.

The inveterate New Yorker, who called from his Manhattan apartment, looks back at Simon & Garfunkel's 1993 reunion and residency at Madison Square Garden and what would be required for a Simon & Garfunkel reunion. He also chatted about acting, his concert set list and his autobiography, 'What Is It All But Luminous: Notes From an Underground Man.”

Q: About 14 years ago I interviewed you and expressed regret about missing your monthlong run at the Theater of Madison Square Garden in 1993.

A: Boy that was an emotional event. You would have seen a spectacle of ill will rarely done in show business.

Q: I love ill will.

A: Then you love it raw.

Q: What was it like getting back with Paul then?

A: I told you everything (during the last interview) and you went to a sore spot.

Q: I had no idea that it was that sore of a spot.

A: Yes you did. You did your homework. That residency was a rocky road.

Q: Well, in 2004 I interviewed you and said that you and Paul aren't getting any younger and you're leaving a lot of money on the table. You joked by saying that you were going to call Paul and tell him what I told you. Six months later a reunion tour was announced. What would it take to reunite Simon and Garfunkel?

A: Ed, we need a third person at the lunch table and that person is you. We will be seated at either side of you. I want you to speak for billions of people and say, 'What the bleep is the problem, Paul? And Paul, you go first.”

Q: Don't tell Paul as far as baseball goes that I'm a National League person, like you.

A: He's an American League person. This is like partisan politics.

Q: (Your autobiography) 'All But Luminous” goes in very different directions.

A: Life is like a Wiffle ball that weaves and bobs and is not easily captured like a bar or soap. When you look at life like I did in the book, you see that life is slippery stuff.

Q: How much did you enjoy the challenging of acting with Jack Nicholson in 'Carnal Knowledge?”

A: Acting is a fascinating art form. It was scary as hell but when you fall in love with a script, it's amazing. ('Carnal Knowledge” director) Mike Nichols was terrific in emboldening me.

Q: Why didn't you act in more films since you more than held your own with Nicholson and Candice Bergen?

A: I like to sing and make albums. I ultimately turn to all of this writing I've done.

Q: When did you realize you possess an unusual set of pipes?

A: Very early. I must have been 5 or 6. I remember in school, during the earliest grades, following the kids down the stairwell and hanging back to be last. When all the kids went out the door, I stayed in the stairwell singing. I remember singing 'Unchained Melody. (Garfunkel sings) 'I've hungered for your touch, a long, lonely time.” It sounded great off of the tile.

Q: And then came the years when you sang with Paul. Your vocal differences helped take the material he wrote to another level.

A: The chemistry was lovely. Ain't it cute? It was joyous. We're very different types of guys, who became very close. That's love, man. You touched a nerve when you speak of the fusion. You started me on this old jag. I have to be careful so you just don't pull text out of me. I look at my shows now and say, 'Aw, shucks” and look down at my shoes. I'm extremely pleased, because it's a thrill for me.

Q: What's your set list going to be like?

A: I'll try not to be coy with this question. I won't leave out the expected hits. I have no problem singing 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.” I do half Simon & Garfunkel and half not.

GET OUT!

WHAT: Art Garfunkel In Close Up

WHERE: Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids

WHEN: 8 p.m. Sept. 21

TICKETS: $47 to $100; Paramount Ticket Office, (319) 366-8203 or Paramounttheatrecr.com

ARTIST'S WEBSITE: Artgarfunkel.com