The Essential Simon & Garfunkel

Performer: Simon & Garfunkel
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Simon & Garfunkel: Paul Simon (vocals, guitar); Art Garfunkel (vocals). Producers: Simon & Garfunkel, Tom Wilson, Bob Johnston, Roy Halee, John Simon, Phil Ramone. Compilation producer: Bob Irwin. Recorded between 1964 & 1969. Recording information: Lincoln Center, New York, NY (03/10/1964-05/??/1975); Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, VT (03/10/1964-05/??/1975). Photographers: Guy Webster; Don Hunstein; Murray Neitlich; David Redfern. The first disc of this two-CD collection focuses on songs originally recorded by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel between 1964-1967, a time when Simon was incorporating elements of British folk into his songwriting. Hits and high points from these fruitful years include their breakthrough hit "The Sound of Silence," the anthemic "I Am a Rock," the class-divided "Richard Cory," the pastoral "Scarborough Fair/Canticle," and the acoustic rock of "A Hazy Shade of Winter," all of which feature those inimitable, Everly-inspired harmonies. Disc two covers the '67-'69 era, in which Simon & Garfunkel had reached a stride both creatively and commercially, with timeless tracks such as the jaunty "Mrs. Robinson" (from THE GRADUATE), the lamenting "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)," and the revered ballad "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Interspersed throughout both discs are live recordings of "Leaves That Are Green," "Overs" and others, along with the 1975 reunion single, "My Little Town." Although some outstanding songs (such as "April Come She Will" and "Patterns") inevitably fall through the cracks, THE ESSENTIAL SIMON & GARFUNKEL proves to be an excellent offering for those looking for the middle ground between the five-disc box set and one of many single-disc collections.

Q (2/04, p.116) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[T]he mournful 'I Am A Rock' and primly outraged 'Cecilia' attest to their gifts for poignant songcraft."

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.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25