GARFUNKEL SPEAKS, BUT NOT ABOUT THAT

That Voice. That Hair. That History. That Name.

Everything about Art Garfunkel is unquestionably distinctive. So,
naturally, we had a few questions for him in an interview this week.

Ladies and gents, five things you need to know about Garfunkel, who sings
with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra tonight and Saturday:

1. The Art of the Ganja. Garfunkel was charged with marijuana
possession when his limousine was pulled over Jan. 17 near Hurley,
N.Y., 90 miles north of Manhattan, because his driver was doing 61 mph
in a 45-mph zone. A state trooper - who didn't recognize Garfunkel,
police later said - smelled marijuana and found 6 grams in the
singer's pocket. The singer pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 and paid $200 in
fines and fees. He had no comment on the recent events.

2. The "Old Friends." But while talking about his life and career, he
casually hinted at more touring to come from Simon & Garfunkel - and
soon. When asked, he said, "I'm definitely hanging out for the
possibility of Simon & Garfunkel work. There may or may not be some of
that work this year."

3. The Conductor. Garfunkel doesn't take his cues from just anybody.
He said the biggest problem that plagued the "Old Friends" tour was
monitor issues - not he and Simon butting heads. While playing with
symphonies around the country, he avoids potential conflict by laying
out the rules early on. "I'm not following the conductor," he said.
"He's behind me, and the game is to see if, in the sound check, can
the conductor see what Mr. Garfunkel's rhythmic changes are."

4. The Singer. The majority of what Garfunkel will sing with the CSO
belongs to the Simon & Garfunkel catalog - not his solo collection.
"You do miss the Simon & Garfunkel (vocal) blend, but you still get
the melody and the lyric," he said. "I come to town with my orchestra
charts and give them 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and 'Scarborough
Fair' and 'Bright Eyes' and 'The Sound of Silence.' ... I've never
done 'The Boxer.' I always thought 'The Boxer' is so married as a
two-part thing, that it's just such a Simon & Garfunkel song and the
vocals are such twins on that song - until I worked with Paul, and he
said he sings it solo all the time." He's now trying to work 'The
Boxer' into his solo game, but it won't make it here.

5. The Writer. Garfunkel's not known for his songwriting, but he took
a leap with his 2002 disc, "Everything Waits to Be Noticed,"
co-writing the majority of the songs with songwriters Buddy Mondlock
and Maia Sharp. He plans to continue with his writing career, and a
big part of the decision came from the excellent time Garfunkel had
touring behind the last record. "It was the first time I shared the
stage as a singer since my work with Simon & Garfunkel," he said. "You
work a little less because you have two shoulders to lean on. It's an
ensemble thing, and you have a little less of the vulnerability. Plus,
I've always liked putting my ears out there and looking for harmony."

Art Garfunkel sings with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra's SuperPOPS series
at 7:30 tonight and Saturday. Tickets: $12-$57.50. Information:
303-493-4100.