The Columbia Studio Recordings (1964-1970) [Box]

Performer: Simon & Garfunkel
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: The 5-CD box THE COLUMBIA STUDIO RECORDINGS contains the albums WEDNESDAY MORNING 3 A.M. (1964); SOUNDS OF SILENCE (1966); PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY AND THYME (1966); BOOKENDS (1968); BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER (1970) as well as rare and previously unreleased tracks, rare photos and individual album essays by Bud Scoppa. Reissue producer: Bob Irwin. Digitally remastered by Vic Anesini (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York). WEDNESDAY MORNING 3 A.M.: Producer: Tom Wilson. Recorded in March 1964. Originally released on Columbia (9049). Includes original liner notes by Art Garfunkel. SOUNDS OF SILENCE: Producers: Bob Johnston, Tom Wilson, Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Halee. Principally recorded in April & December 1965. Originally released on Columbia (9269). PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY AND THYME: Producer: Bob Johnston. Recorded between December 1965 and August 1966. Originally released on Columbia (9363). BOOKENDS: Producers: Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Halee. Recorded between 1966 and 1968. Originally released on Columbia (9529). BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER: Personnel includes: Paul Simon (vocals, guitar); Art Garfunkel (vocals); Fred Carter, Jr. (guitar); Larry Knechtel (keyboards); Joe Osborne (bass); Hal Blaine (drums). Producers: Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Halee. Principally recorded in November 1969. Originally released on Columbia (9914). A toast to Legacy/Columbia for THE COLUMBIA STUDIO RECORDINGS, which packages all five S&G releases remastered with bonus tracks. The box set supercedes the 3-disc OLD FRIENDS set of 4 years earlier. The folky WEDNESDAY MORNING, 3A.M. introduced the Queens duo to the world. The urban imagery of "Bleecker Street" and gorgeous harmonies on "Sparrow" and "He Was My Brother" are among the highlights from this impressive debut, as well as "The Sound Of Silence" is in its original acoustic form. While WEDNESDAY was an all-acoustic album, electric guitar and other instruments are introduced on SOUNDS OF SILENCE. Lyrics and arrangements mesh in folk/pop perfection on songs like the character-driven "Richard Cory" and the Davy Graham-penned acoustic instrumental "Anji". The rock rhythm section on "We've Got A Groovy Thing Goin' On" adds a nice touch. Simon's voice is in fine form on the previously unreleased demo "Rose Of Aberdeen". The classics ("Mrs. Robinson", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "The Boxer") are included here as well as rarities (a demo version of "Old Friends") and combined with a 74-page book to make a five-star package.

Mojo (Publisher) (1/03, p.73) - Ranked #5 in Mojo's "Best Box Sets & Compilations of 2002"

New Yorkers Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel began as a late-1950s doo-wop group called Tom & Jerry. In the '60s, they turned to folk, with an extended stay in London bringing a heavy British folk influence into Simon's work. When a rock band was overdubbed onto the original acoustic version of their single "The Sounds of Silence," a hit resulted and helped further the then-nascent folk-rock movement. The pair's subsequent albums produced a long stream of catchy-but-brainy hit singles and also explored various musical styles, foreshadowing the eclecticism of Simon's solo career. Although the duo split after 1970's BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER, they have reunited for performances on a few occasions, including a tour in 2003.

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