mail: daniel_fjall@hotmail.com
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wednesday morning 3 a.m. the sounds of silence parsley, sage, rosemary & thyme bookends bridge over troubled water
Wednesday Morning 3 A.M. There is very little on this debut album that points to the later artistical success the New Yorkers Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel would achieve, but that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable. A good chunk of the album is fairly anonymous and vacant, performed pleasantly and perfectly suited to be performed in churches and homes for the aged without upsetting anyone. Sometimes things are heated up, though. Although most of the songs are performed with just one guitar and two voices, the duo manages to move and affect the listener with numbers such as “Bleecker Street”, “Sparrow” and the magnificent “The Sound of Silence”. Sadly, the good songs are compressed in the middle of the album, and soon it is all downhill again. The album slightly catches up once again with an energetic cover of Bob Dylan’s, the new star of the folk scene, “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, which is followed by the album closer, “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.”. The best songs here may not be able to match later efforts of the duo, but they are good. And what’s more important, they are original songs and not covers. Paul Simon is often described as a good songwriter, but a poor singer. The first part is very much true, the second one is not. His vocals may not be quite as strong as Garfunkels, but he can carry the notes and often is emotional. A singer who drives the songs forward, whilst Garfunkel embroiders on top of that. Simon is an underrated guitarist as well, which he proves over and over on Wednesday Morning 3.A.M.. However, greater things were waiting just around the corner and this album is perhaps more for the curious, rather than for the average music fan.
The Sounds of Silence Because of lack of success for Wednesday Morning 3 A.M., the duo parted ways and Simon went to England. There he recorded a few songs that would end up as The Paul Simon Songbook, an album that didn’t make too much noise on the charts, and he headed home. Without either Simon or Garfunkel knowing, Bob Dylan’s producer Tom Wilson had added new instruments to “The Sound of Silence”, and there by turning it into folk rock. This new version was a hit which made Paul and Art regret their decision to call it the day. They reunited and recorded The Sounds of Silence. All done in the vein of the updated version of “The Sound of Silence”. More commercially minded and more up to date with The Byrds and The Beatles in fresh memory. They never sound as impersonators, though, as Paul Simon’s writing style is original and unique and the vocals has a different sound than the pop groups. The perfect vocal harmonies flows through the album, adding extra vulnerability, tenderness and beauty to the gorgeous melodies and well crafted, personal lyrics. The Sounds of Silence is a minor masterpiece of its time, and doesn’t sound too dated 40 years down the road. Although it was rushed and recycled many of the songs Simon had recorded in England, it is a solid effort that doesn’t have to excuse itself in the company of Blonde On Blonde, Revolver and Pet Sounds. Perhaps not as strong as the previous mentioned albums, but The Sounds of Silence reminds of the little brother growing up, not only demanding, but deserving more attention and respect among his older brothers.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme Probably the duo's most ambitious work. There are complex, overdubbed harmonies, dark lyrics and a generally bleaker atmosphere that are far from the more naive, simple attitude reflected on the earlier albums. Paul and Art never gets too pretentious or lose their sense of direction, though. Whilst some of the tracks are somewhat misplaced, they are never overly disturbing or distracting. The poppy “The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine” might have fitted better on The Sounds of Silence, but it is catchy nonetheless and it works. “A Simple Desultory Philippic” is a Bob Dylan parody, jokingly knocking Bob, Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol. It is strange and goofy, but I don’t mind it. These two songs offers a break in all the seriousness and darkness surrounding the album. Yet, the more concentrated and dusky moments remains the highlights. “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” is an emotionally and vocally masterpiece. A remake of the old folksong that is stunning, making it hard to breath. You wouldn’t want to miss out a second and it demonstrates Garfunkel’s vocal potential and understanding to its full. It is the albums brightest moment, and that is saying a lot when considering the contenders. “Homeward Bound”, “Feelin’ Groovy”, Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall” and “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her” all ranks among the New Yorkers finest songs. The last one particularly is worth mentioning. It’s simple and humble, but thanks to that it is also direct and honest. It is a very different album, more sophisticated and maybe not as easy listened to as The Sounds of Silence. It is still a heavy statement, showing just how far folkmusic and folkrock can be taken. Question is if it even is folk anymore? It doesn’t matter much. Damn good, is what it is.
Bookends If Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme was a very serious affair, Bookends is the opposite. This collection of songs are filled with humor, joy, fun and light. It may also very well be Simon & Garfunkel’s most experimental album. There are strange sounds, sampled sounds, and unconventional use of instruments. This however should not be mistaken for some Pink Floyd rip-off. The melodies, lyrics and vocal harmonies are still at the center, as they should be. That’s what they do best. Just like the previous album had a couple of songs sticking out, so does Bookends. “America” and “Overs” doesn’t quite fit in with the general silly feeling of the album, but yet it somehow works anyway. “Overs” might be something of a mistake with its dry, sarcastic humor, but “America” is one of those timeless, perfect songs. A treasure. A secret. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The mega-hit “Mrs. Robinson” isn’t far behind and “A Hazy Shade of Winter” is a small pop masterpiece. The less known songs aren’t bad either. “Save The Life of My Child” is catchy and has tricky lyrics, “Punky’s Dilemma” is a jazzy little thing with lyrics sounding like a 1950’s home wife’s psychedelic poetry. Odd, but good. And so it continues. “At The Zoo” isn’t going to win any awards, but it works. It’s easy, irregular and backed up by interesting musical arrangements. The only track on the album that screams filler (besides maybe “Overs”) is “Voices of Old People”, but it fits as it leads into the beautiful “Old Friends”. A strange album, but so well-crafted and interesting that it is impossible to listen. It ain’t no Sgt. Pepper, but I can’t help but being drawn into the odd world it describes.
Bridge Over Troubled Water People will always tell you that if you need only one Simon & Garfunkel album your best bet is a compilation. And yes, their compilations are fantastic. But I’ll let you in on a secret. Most often, half of the selection for those albums are gathered from Simon & Garfunkel’s last studio album, Bridge Over Troubled Water. And none of the compilations has the good taste of including excellent songs such as “Keep The Customer Satisfied” or “The Only Living Boy In New York”. There are gems all over their albums that people overlook simply because they haven’t been brought up with them in the same way as the major hits. I’m not going to deny that the hits are amazing, but the forgotten songs are often playing in the same league. So get all their albums. Except the debut. First of all, you might want to get this one. It is the duo’s best album. Just reading the track list is enough to send shivers down the spine of any music fan. To even trying to describe these songs seems meaningless. Partly because you probably have heard half of them, partly because it would take me the whole day. The title track is that magic moment, “El Condor Pasa” is philosophical, “Cecilia” is catchy pop and “The Boxer” is the introverted poet’s confession. But as I said, don’t miss out the others songs. There are enough hooks and life in all the songs to fill up an entire career. The album manage to combine the two sides that Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme and Bookends had showcased, and the result is stunning. This is one of those timeless albums. This is the album that finally puts Simon & Garfunkel shoulder to shoulder with the best work of Dylan, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who, The Beach Boys or any other big name you can throw at me. The personal differences was too much for them to handle, though. Paul Simon moved on to a successful solo career, whilst Art Garfunkel tried some acting and did a couple of albums that weren't too good. The two have reunited occasionally for tours and benefit shows and there are two live albums available, both pretty good. Nothing that is able to match Bridge Over Troubled Water, though.
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