Legendary singer makes rare Lowcountry appearance

There's been one long standing reoccurring theme for Art Garfunkel: the desire to soothe.

Whether he's performing his solo material (he's released 12 solo albums) or celebrating material from the 20th Century's greatest songwriters — his most recent solo effort, "Some Enchanted Evening," described by The New York Times as "beautiful," features songs written by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin — Garfunkel has long been known for using his countertenor voice to offset the chaos of today's world.

"In this nervous world I want to soothe," he said. "It's a great time for moderation, for thoughtfulness, for dialogue, for the great exhale, for humor. A great time for a sweet sound, visceral, charming, prayerful sound."

Prior to his solo career the sensitive singer/songwriter was known as one half of the iconoclastic duo Simon & Garfunkel, which he formed with fellow New York City native Paul Simon.

Their greatest hits collection, which includes Mrs. Robinson and Bridge Over Troubled Water among others, is the biggest selling album of all-time by a duo.

In any case, following his 1970 breakup with Simon, Grafunkel landed several major film roles (including "Carnal Knowledge" opposite Jack Nicholson), published a book of poetry — "Still Water" — in 1989, walked across the United States in 40 installments, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history and later a master's degree in architecture from Columbia University — all in addition to his voice being arguably one of the finest instruments in all of popular music.

In a rare Lowcountry appearance Garfunkel will be in concert Saturday at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

"I'm a singer trying to get away with a lucky job," he said. "I try to soothe, to lift ... that's my life."

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