Reviews (page 6 of 14)
Nuit du 5 au 6 août. The dangling conversation 💓
Solid, laid back. Definitely got the 60's Summer of Love vibes
big tavern silencing the haters
Even though I’ve never listened to a lot of Simon and Garfunkel their brilliant lyrics and song writing are hard to ignore. I really liked this album.
i love simon & garfunkel ! the title track is iconic but i forgot about a lot of the other songs. they are quite good even if not up to the singles standard. also i really like the silent night version
was trully expecting rock/pop but nevertheless was pleasantly surprised. It won't be my favourite album that's for sure but it was a nice alternative for previous albums
I don't usually like folk music all that much, but this was a pleasant experience.
Simon & Garfunkel were the high brow counter culture of the 60s. Even as they engage the folk rock vibe with songs like “Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine,” they exhibit their discomfort with it as they satirize Bob Dylan (then in his prime) in “A Simple Desultory Philippic.” Most of the album, however, is classic Simon & Garfunkel: gentle, poetic, telling stories and developing characters. Always worthwhile, even if not always stunning.
Simon & Garfunkel are great, but I just don't consider them an album duo. They have great singles and great greatest hits collections. Their albums don't stay with me like other great albums from other bands... That said, I enjoyed this album, though it feels more like a nostalgic enjoyment. I can't really figure out where to place them in my own catalog of greatness - though they are there somewhere.
genre: folk rock vibe: driving through farmland or lowkey traveling merchant sometimes 😍 fav songs: - scarborough fair / canticle - patterns - flowers never bend with the rainfall - a poem on the underground wall
Short but nice. It scratches a very specific itch in my brain that I love listening to.
Love the harmonies. Beautiful voices that just mesh well
On A Tour Of One Night Stands 1001 Albums Generator 83 (07/28/2025) Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme is the third studio album by contemporary folk legends Simon And Garfunkel. Despite featuring two of their biggest songs in Scarborough Fair and Homeward Bound, PSR&T is often not held in the same regard as the duo's later albums, Bookends and Bridge Over Troubled Water. Personally, I had actually never even heard of this album, but man I have really been missing out. This is a wonderful collection of 2-3 minute folk songs with the harmonies that Simon And Garfunkel are known for. As I previously alluded to, the two big hits on this album are Scarborough Fair and Homeward Bound. Scarborough Fair is actually a traditional English folk tune that Simon And Garfunkel rearranged and added anti-war lyrics to. The duo actually only listed themselves as songwriters, choosing to not include the traditional source, which got the group into some trouble. The way the duo interweave lyrics from the two songs is genius and the tale of a lost love juxtaposes nicely with the lyrics of the horrors of war. Homeward Bound, on the other hand, is relatively simpler, but it is my favorite. The lyrics detail Paul Simon's homesickness while he was on tour and the chorus is probably the catchiest bit on the album. Folk pop perfection. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her is a beautiful love song that Paul Simon managed to write in a single night. I started trying to learn this one and was surprised how difficult it is to perform. Patterns was originally featured on Paul Simon's debut album (as many S&G songs were) and has the weirdest guitar work on the album, alongside some crazy bongos. It's great. The album ends on a strange note with 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night, which is a collage of a piano-led rendition of the Christmas classic Silent Night alongside a slowly crescendo'ing broadcast of the nightly news. It's really weird, but honestly beautiful. The more rockish songs are in general not as high quality. The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine, which has a great title, is perhaps the weakest song here. A Simple Desultory Philippic is an obvious Bob Dylan pisstake, with shitty harmonica and all. As a parody, it's honestly quite funny, but on an album full of such beautiful songs, I'm not sure that it really works. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme is a beautiful album from one of the greatest folk duos of all time. It features an eclectic mix of soft folk with folk rock that flies by in its short runtime. Some weaker moments hold it back from perfection, but it's a 4/5. Favs: Scarborough Fair / Canticle Homeward Bound For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her Least Fav: The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine
It's not as strong as other albums by them but it's a nice easy listen. Some tracks are actual songs others are poetry set to music. I prefer the actual songs, but the others are nice. It's a solid album, a bit dated now but that's going to happen.
Kocham folk. A to jest piękny folk. Z cudownymi tekstami. Tylko ta cicha noc na koniec psuje wrażenie. Inaczej byłby album prawie idealny, a tak to obniżam ocenę na 8.5/10 i równam w dół. Po co wam to było?!
So soft.
While not their best (admittedly not saying much considering their best), this is excellent collection of folk tunes. A continual refinement of their sound that they would come to perfect on later albums.
Kult album.
Good
Silent night is a classic with the news overlay? I love it
Soothing and enjoyable but nothing special, but it didn't need to be either.
This is excellent. Way better than Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. The Boxer is just a perfect track. The model tracks glide along without much consequence.
A few great jams on this album (feelin' groovy I have had as an ear worm for the last 20 years) but also some kind of strange stuff that feels a bit out of place. Still undeniably brilliant songwriting but as a whole I wouldn't say this album is their best.
A masterclass in songwriting in a surprisingly short album. Scarborough Fair / Canticle is an obvious classic, but I really enjoyed Patterns and the Bright Green Pleasure Machine. Also as a major fan of Bob Dylan, I loved A Simple Desultory Philippic (or How I Was Robert McNamara’d Into Submission). My only complaint is that some of softer, dreamier songs are just a bit too soft and sweet for me and they somehow start sounding like parodies of Simon & Garfunkel.
Lots of classics packed into a 28-minute album
It was a five star album until the Bob Dylan parody, and fuck that pretentious silent night shit at the end. But otherwise it is a genuinely stunning record with the most incredible harmonies and beautiful songs.
I feel schizophrenic getting this after Lightning Bolt. These guys piss me off so much: they make the wimpiest, most self-satisfied music around and they're extremely talented. Fuckers!
Cloudy and Homeward Bound go hard, I'm suprised by how good this is honestly, all bangers and soothing lullabies, most just as good as the songs they are known for.
A slightly generous 4 The general vibe was good, classic tracks such as homeward bound still hold the test of time
4 for the album. 5 for, For Emily. One of the greatest love songs.
Two shoulder two chips lift the ego tension to sublime levels
fine
Atemporal
Day 3 First listen- Lovely to see this album here! I have been meaning to listen to it fully. I have only listened to Scarborough Fair / Canticle and For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her before. (4/5) Now that I have fully listened to it, loveee the album. For Emily, whenever I may find her is DEFFO my fav.
Kinda nice
This album has some hits I recognize, but the album is all over the place. The short songs and varied styles demanded constant attention in a way that seemed to fight with the individual songs. Better than the other albums I've given a 3 so far. Maybe this is the bottom of 4.
Heard it before. Not a single bad song on this album, the right mix of serious and a bit more fun 4/5
Maybe not my fav S&G album but brilliant nonetheless the less
Great harmonies and great tunes. I’d be curious to learn more about that Bob Dylan homage/parody, what’s the story behind that?
Didn't love every song but definitely one I'll listen through again
I was beyond excited to have the chance to listen to this Simon & Garfunkel album in full, as I adore Scarborough Fair & Homeward Bound. The band's sound is unique, being primarily folk with a bit of rock influence. It's the kind of music that ages exceptionally well. Through the generations of my family, from my grandfather to my dad to myself, we can all enjoy a good Simon & Garfunkel album. This album was relatively short, but it's varied with a good mix of soothing, uplifting, and solemn tracks. I hope to have the chance to listen to another in this generator.
Makes a virtue of simple, meandering melodies. The lyrics are tough to judge because to a modern sensibility they seem a tad pretentious, but if taken at their word, they were incredibly in tune with the times they lived in. I choose to take them at their word.
“My life is made of patterns, that can scarcely be controlled” 77/100 Favorite: Patterns
Me ha parecido monísimo y me ha dejado con ganas de escuchar más canciones suyas, lo cual es un logro. The Dangling Conversation es buenísima y no sé cómo no la había escuchado antes.
Back to form with Simon & Garfunkel. Grew on me more and more as it went on. A solid 4 for me, Clive.
Really beautiful music. I think they’ve done the best medieval folk sound out of the albums I’ve heard so far. The last song gave me chills.
When I was a kid, about 11 years old, or so, I wanted a cassette player/recorder for my birthday. My folks came close, and gave me a cassette player that did not record. For a portable unit, it actually had pretty decent sound. Anyway, this is one of two cassettes that they gave me along with the player. I don’t remember what the other cassette was. I think that they gave me this one based on the advice of the record store guy, and also because they could actually stomach hearing this one. Suffice to say, I’ve been very familiar with this album for over 55 years now. I will also say that I like this album a lot better now than I did as a kid. Other than a couple of tracks, for the most part I think it’s aged pretty well; and I love their simple arrangement of silent night. Although the newscast in the background makes a powerful statement, I wish I had a version of it in its simplicity isolated from the news commentary. Another thing I like is that both the songs and the album is short…you don’t get a chance to get bored or tired of it. I was able to pick up a cheap vinyl copy in the last few years that is in excellent condition, as the cassette that I had is long gone, having met the fate of being “eaten” as happens to most cassettes eventually. In any event, this would be a five star album for me if not for a couple of the songs. As it is, I’ll give it a very strong four stars.
Classic album.
Great Album. A lot of classic S&G songs. Music and vocals top notch.
A delightful folk album. Short and sweet, yet remarkably mature and well-arranged. Beautiful vocal harmonies. Favourite moments have to be the more acoustic songs (e.g. "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her") and the more baroque leanings of "Scarborough Fair/Canticle." Kind of speaks for itself, really. Either way, highly recommended.
bright and gentle, short and sweet
Beautiful music I didn't know from Simon & Garfunkel.
Was leaning towards a 3 but had to bump to a 4 after the Bob Dylan diss track. Feels like a soundtrack for a cartoon mouse prince who lives amongst woodland creatures. Can see the influence in Woodlands by Paper Kites, Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens, all over the place really.
A Simple Desultory Philippic is both a hit track and apt impression of Bob Dylan? Lol. Either way, it's completely out of place on a bunch of nice songs that go together well by two musicians clearly at their artistic prime.
Gentle, calm, and poetic album with beautiful harmonies and melancholic mood.
Faborote: Flowers Never Bend Just 2 dudes on guitar. Stellar.
Bob Dylan found nuked from orbit at Scarborough Fair
I like this one. Reminds me of simpler times
I don't really understand the haters on this. Is it mind-blowing? Not really, but it's certainly fun, easy listening. I'd listen to more Simon & Garfunkel after this - 4/5
'My life is made of patterns / That can scarcely be controlled.' This record is defined by control, particularly the impossibly gorgeous arrangement of 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme,' a traditional English ballad the duo makes very much their own. In many ways, this album feels like a draft of their subsequent masterpieces, tho I don't know if Simon was ever funnier than he is on the Dylan parody 'A Simple Desultory Philippic' or if Art ever sang more beautifully than he does on 'For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.' Simon's lyrics are evocative and probing: 'Are you looking for a way to chuck it all?'; 'Can analysis be worthwhile? / Is the theater really dead?' Somewhat mushy at times, but it's still an impressively elegant release.
Wonderful songwriting and vocals. Like if a fall walk through an apple orchard became an album.
Great slowly album. Love it.
Classic. Recognizable. Harmony. Folk.
A pleasant listen. Not entirely my thing but some great pieces of music on here. Probably an album that would grow on me with repeated lidtens
Very good album, if a bit short. Excellent preamble to “Bridge” 4/5
4/5 good good
I love playing in simon and Garfunkel world
Very cool folk album. I couldn't listen to it as well as I wanted to, but I feel like it could easily go up to five stars. 9/10
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Y'a de supers morceaux mais j'aurais kiffé entendre ce qu'ils auraient produit après avoir pris 3 RedBull et un peu de coke 😴😴
Amazing album. From start to finish.
Beautiful
Very enjoyable.
good
Too bad for the terrible christmas song x radio news at the end??????
oh sweet music that is simon and garfunkel (any album really). Peaceful listening
Two of the best singer/songwriters of a generation. A lovely listen.
love them
Ok, so lyrically this is pretty brilliant and of such significance to the singer/songwriters of this era of music. Great lyrics, strong vocal arrangements. However, the music itself is dull and often uninspired, but I get what they're doing by not letting the music get in the way of what they are trying to say. There are some absolutely classic songs on here.
This is all a bit lovely aye. Every time I start thinking hm is it a bit staid and boring they up the tempo. Nice. Adding half of it to my sunshine driving playlist.
Cute
The Cigarettes After Sex of their time. When people describe getting wild and crazy back in the day and its them doing the jitterbug? Teres a song that is just that on here, to really turn up the rec center. That being said it is really pretty.
so calming and the instrumentation/background parts are what bring everything together i feel like :) also reminds me of my childhood fs
Classic
Homeward Bound alone is worth a four, nice album
An all time great
In awe of their lyrics & thinking about what they experimented with, like the Middle Eastern influences. In love with their harmonies always. Really want to give this a 4.5 lol Last track had me a bit doomerpilled thinking "nothing really changes" though
I know these guys have some pretty serious and dark lyrical content to some their tunes but from a strictly melodic and sound standpoint, these guys make me smile!
Let me start off by saying that my parents small collection of albums in the 60s contained A LOT of S&G, so they’re heavily imprinted on my child mind…. (So is Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, but that’s a topic for my therapist). The good stuff here is amazing. The Dylan Spoof and the Silent Night thing less so. I applaud both their ambition and their brevity.
short and very sweet- homeward bound is a great track. felt very groovy and whimsical. What I've noticed with this older music is the interwoven political and social issues with the music- with an apparent message behind the music like a protest that you don't find as common in music these days. The music and art was the vessel for the movement and I think it brings so much more to the songs especially in retrospect.
My mom loved S & G.
Was close to 4 for me. About half the songs feel timeless, while the other half didn't age well in my opnion.
It's a rainy day today. This album perfectly complements the mood. I typically do not enjoy folk music but this had enough to keep me interested.
4,5
Great
So many favorite songs on here. I think I'm a little spoiled by having listened mostly to S&G best-of comps in the past, so I was pretty pleased by how much I liked the tracks on this album that weren't included on them. 4.5
Yeah sure! Opening track and final track are both absolutely top-tier, some of the middle is too classic-folksy for me but it's all still really well put together.
Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound, The 59th St. Bridge Song... were the big hits on the record... the other cuts, Patterns, For Emily Whenever, Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine, A Poem on and Underground Wall, Cloudy, A Simple Desultory Philippic, Flowers Never Bend, and 7 O'Clock News... are all killer cuts... The Dangling Conversation is a cool piece of art... Three Grand Slam Homeruns... a few on the warning track... and a few that didn't quite get there... for those i have to deduct a star... four stars...
This is one of the best albums from the 60's so far. On my initial listen I was ready to give this a 3, but on my second way through I noticed more intricacies and changed my mind. Particularly the layered vocals caught my attention a lot more. Standouts Scarborough Fair / Canticle Patterns Homeward Bound 4/5
Mit gekipptem Fenster beim Regen im Zimmer sitzen und das Geburtstagsgeschenk für morgen nähen. Ganz viele Gedanken im Hinzerkopf; Uni Uni Uni, aber jetzt bin ich erstmal hier mit mir, scheiß auf den Rest.
So beautiful and of its time. The synths on the weed song are crazy.
Good good good
Are you going to give this a four?
Solid effort. Not in my top three S&G albums, but some standout tracks, and Homeward Bound is an absolute American classic. Solid 8 of 10 for me.
A lot of pleasant songs
Love me some Simon & Garfunkle! There are some true classics on here like "Scarborough Fair", "Patterns", "Homeward Bound" and "A Poem on the Underground Wall". Other than the classics I was a little bit bored towards the end. This is quite surprising given the short runtime of the album and how much I enjoy S&G in general. It just ended up feeling slightly samey and "7 O'clock News/ silent night" just comes off as pretentious. This is just me nitpicking why I'm not giving it a 5 star. It's still a very good album.
A great listen. Passes the 'can you still listen not as a historical curio but as great music' test easily. Only the Feeling Groovie 2 mins appear dated. Extra marks surely for their parody of Bob Dylan at the height of his fame/self-importance.
Traditional and ethereal, worth a relisten
Short sweet groovy and classic
Loved this one, hadn’t listened to a full Simon & Garfunkel album before - what a treat! Highlight: one of my fave Christmas songs and “I’ve lost my harmonica, Albert”
Some of the best songwriting of all time. I just wish it was all acoustic, as a lot of the production and arrangements don’t add anything. Get rid of the drums on homeward bound!!! Get rid of them!! I’ve heard this album a lot but The Dangling Conversation stood out on this listen.
Very short, well- done album. 4/5
I quite liked this one. The opening song and Cloudy were my favorites.
I couldn’t wait less of them
A couple of perfect songs with some interesting and IMPORTANT connective tissue… Sonicly flows so well!
Classic album from Simon & Garfunkel. Great background music while at the office or just when you need something you recognize and low key
Beautiful songs, sung by brilliant voices. Yes - 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night is a bit naff 60 years on, the reworking of The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine for The Graduate soundtrack is probably a more fitting treatment and the studio version of For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her seems slightly anti-climactic for anyone who has heard the amazing live version featured on several S&G collections - but this is still a top-tier album by one of my favourite acts.
very good
I liked it
there are some all time classics on S&G some mid songs, an this very weird thing of two Jews from Queens singing "Silent Night" with the evening news in the background.
I’m very pleased with this as my first Simon and Garfunkel album. It’s a lush, pretty and witty folk album, that has aged well and shown me a side of an artist that I wasn’t aware of. Aside from some songs that I just couldn’t connect to, and the closing track which feels a little heavy handed and clunky (if somewhat effective) in its messaging in 2025, I thought this really comes together and creates a super immersive experience.
heat I <3 simon and garfunkel
Calming, pastoral acoustic. You can zoom all the way out to background sound or all the way in to close, close listening and quietly enjoy it everywhere on that spectrum. Homeward Bound was new to me and good.
I love this album. The first 3/4s are a 5 but the last 3 or 4 songs bring this down to a 4.25/5 for me. If I could sing I would want to sing like Paul Simon or Sam Cooke. Great album and I will add Patterns to my permanent playlist. 4.25/5
✍️
Not my favourite of theirs, but still an undeniably beautiful album.
Quintessential Simon and Garfunkel
Although it’s probably only my third favorite record from Paul & Artie, it’s still a *very* fine record. One that’s slightly more ornate and delicate than some of their material to follow, but it’s hardly any less effective. 4 stars, 8.5/10
Beautiful songs. Classic album.
A couple clunkers but the glimmers of Paul Simon’s writing excellence are here. Homeward bound in particular is fantastic.
If there's an album more Sixties than this one I'm unaware of it. If I was an undergrad when this came out I would've either been convinced these guys were the height of Western Civilization. Album has some outstanding highs in Homeward Bound, Flowers Never Bend, and For Emily and some real low lights like the Dangling Conversation and 7 O'Clock News. Paul Simon said something to the effect once that he could only sound earnest in his singing and was incapable of sounding ironic which is both a strength and limitation on this album. You can actively hear Paul Simon's songs entering the Great American Songbook with Art Garfunkel singing them. Dude can sing.
The best hippy drum circle's signature album (complimentary); starts strong then kind of peters out but great nonetheless
Thought it would be a bore, but came away pleasantly surprised. Great listen, will return. Saved most of the songs on the album. My favourite S&G listen thus far.
first favorite - the big bright green pleasure machine second - 59th street bridge song (feelin' groovy) third - a simple desultory philippic (or how I was robert mcnamara'd into submission these guys definitely touched each other
Would be 5 stars if the mellowness was more my thing
Short and sweet.
Thank you to the album generator for producing a certified banger, like emptiness in harmony. I love how silly these two guys are. A Simple Desultory Philippic is that at its peak, a Subterranean Homesick takedown that's in the pantheon alongside, like, How Do You Sleep? as a work of venom. The album's more traditionally Simonean/Garfunkelian cuts flit between winking self-satire and pure sincerity. (Exhibit A: "Can analysis be worthwhile?"/"Is the theater really dead?". Exhibit B: "No deeds to do, no promises to keep.") It does, at times, get to be a bit much; the opener/title track, much like the one on Bridge Over Troubled Water, makes me thing, alright guys, you've made your point, and the newscast-slash-hymnal closer is several degrees too heavy-handed. I think I go, Thyme > Parsley > Rosemary > Sage, but I also am struggling to recall what sage tastes like.
Very pastoral, very cute and very 60's. Paul Simon's songwriting is not quite as iconic as it would later develop to be, but still he rarely misses a beat, be that in the form of pseudo-medieval harmonies or a spot-on Dylan spoof. Heaps of fun and lots of tender, heartwarming material all around.
Great album throughout. Standout songs: Patterns Homeward Bound A Simple Desultory Philippic
# Album Name: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme # Artist: Simon and Garfunkel # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: The detail of the instruments in Scarborough fair is beautiful. Theres things going off on all sides. Coming in at 28 mins this is a rather short album but suited for the style of music. Theres plenty of melodies, nice acoustics and vocals. An enjoyable album. But theres something missing from this thing going up to a 5. Top effort though. # Top Tunes: Plenty on here # Would I listen to it again? Yes
Love it 4/5
In true troubadour style, alot has aged in a cheesy way. Still enjoyed it though
01) Scarborough Fair/Canticle - 10,0 02) Patterns - 8,5 03) Cloudy - 8,0 04) Homeward Bound - 10,0 05) The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine - 7,5 06) The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) - 7,5 07) The Dangling Conversation - 8,0 08) Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall - 8,0 09) A Simple Desultory Philippic (or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission) - 7,5 10) For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her - 8,0 11) A Poem on the Underground Wall - 8,0 12) 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,25 (83/100) Current ranking: 136/522
Really mixed album Scarborough fair Homeward bound 59th street bridge feeling groovy For Emily The dangling conversation is a pretty good deep cut Dramatic drop in quality from the hits Simple desultory is an embarrassing Dylan ode
Makee kuuntelu. Hiljaista, harmonista, hidasta. HHH siitä on tämä levy tehty
buenisimo
lovely sounding record, mix of both relaxing and some upbeats sounds
Simple and short, struggles to leave a big impression when it's only 28 minutes. But it's fantastic music nonetheless.
Delicious harmonies, iconic tracks.
Solid
4.5
7/10
A calming ethereal feeling. Pleasant
Simon & Garfunkel, pour moi, ça longtemps été les quelques tubes entendus à la radio, la BO du "Lauréat", et cette image un peu proprette, très éloignée des groupes qui squattent ma platine. Mais voilà, le projet 1001 Albums, c'est aussi ça : revenir sur des classiques, parfois avec des a priori, et se laisser surprendre et "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" mérite qu'on s'y attarde. Nous sommes en 1966, en plein boom du folk-rock. Dylan vient de brancher sa guitare, les Byrds électrifient "Mr. Tambourine Man"… C'est une époque d'effervescence, où les frontières entre folk contestataire et rock'n'roll s'estompent. Simon & Garfunkel ne se contentent pas de suivre le mouvement ; ils le façonnent à leur manière, avec une sophistication et une attention aux détails qui leur sont propres. Ce qui frappe d'abord, c'est la richesse des arrangements. Oui, la guitare acoustique de Paul Simon est la colonne vertébrale, mais l'album ne se limite pas à ça… Clavecin, carillons, contrebasse, bongos… C'est une palette sonore étonnamment variée pour un disque catalogué "folk". On sent une volonté d'aller au-delà des conventions, d'expérimenter avec les textures. L'intro de "Scarborough Fair/Canticle", avec ses arpèges cristallins et ses harmonies vocales qui s'entrelacent comme une brume matinale, est juste sublime. Et puis, il y a LES voix. LA signature Simon & Garfunkel. Ce mélange quasi surnaturel entre le timbre plus terre-à-terre, narratif de Simon et la pureté angélique, éthérée de Garfunkel. Sur cet album, leur complémentarité atteint des sommets. Les harmonies sont ciselées, millimétrées, elles planent, elles caressent, elles te transportent. C'est sans doute ça, le cœur du réacteur S&G, et ici, il tourne à plein régime. C'est beau, c'est indéniablement beau. Putain, oui, et il faut reconnaître quand c'est beau. Thématiquement, l'album ratisse large : l'amour, bien sûr ("For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her"), mais aussi l'aliénation ("The Dangling Conversation"), le mal du pays ("Homeward Bound"), et des commentaires sociaux plus ou moins voilés, reflet de cette Amérique des sixties en pleine mutation, tiraillée entre idéalisme et désillusion, guerre du Vietnam en fond sonore ("7 O'Clock News/Silent Night", quelle idée géniale et glaçante !). C'est moins frontal que Dylan, plus poétique, plus impressionniste, mais ça capture bien l'air du temps. Alors, c'est un 4 sur 5 car c'est un album d'une cohérence et d'une finesse remarquables. La production de Bob Johnston (qui avait bossé avec Dylan, tiens donc) et l'ingénierie sonore de Roy Halee sont exemplaires. Chaque son est à sa place, chaque arrangement sert la chanson, c'est le genre de disque où tu sens que rien n'a été laissé au hasard. Est-ce que ça a révolutionné ma playlist ? Non. Est-ce que ça va remplacer "Disintegration" ou "Spiderland" dans mon panthéon personnel ? Certainement pas… C'est propre, c'est léché, parfois un peu trop "sage" pour mes goûts les plus rugueux. Mais il faut reconnaître le talent d'écriture de Simon, la beauté quasi irréelle des harmonies, et la qualité de la production. C'est un album qui a admirablement bien vieilli, justement parce qu'il ne cherchait pas à être "rock" à tout prix, mais visait une forme d'élégance intemporelle. L'influence sur des générations de songwriters folk-pop est indéniable. C'est peut-être ça, la force de "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" : être à la fois un témoin de son époque et une œuvre qui la dépasse. Une sorte de classicisme pop, si ça a un sens. Adolescent, j'aurais sans doute trouvé ça chiant mais aujourd'hui, avec quelques kilomètres au compteur, j'apprécie la maîtrise, la mélancolie subtile qui infuse même les titres les plus légers, et cette perfection formelle qui force le respect. Donc, oui, 4 sur 5, c'est juste car c'est un album essentiel pour comprendre une facette importante de la musique des années 60, et un jalon dans la discographie d'un duo iconique. Pas le genre de truc qui va me faire pogoter dans mon salon, mais une pièce maîtresse à écouter au calme, pour en savourer toutes les nuances.
Such a chill album.
When I was 18 I went on a weeklong backpacking trip right after my first real relationship had ended. It was a 15 hour drive to the state where we would be hiking, and the only album in the car was Simon and Garfunkel’s greatest hits. I didn’t mind this, I was already a fan of Simon & Garfunkel. Thanks to that, I knew many of the songs on this album. I like these songs, but I don’t think the album as a whole is quite as much of an emotional gut punch as Bookends was. The songs have those lush harmonies that make them great, but they sometimes feel shallow with little emotion attached. I’d still recommend this album, and I think it’s worthy of this list, just to hear how their songwriting changed and influenced others. Oh, and that girlfriend who ended things was Emily. So everyone on the trip got a chuckle out of every play of For Emily.
Very good!
I don't normally love folk, but this is nice.
Vibessss
Sometimes I think I was born into the wrong generation. I love my post-punk music, but there is something about 60's folk music that pulls at my being. I love the harmonies and wonderful melodies from these two talented individuals. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her is an absolutely beautiful song and 7 O'clock News / Silent Night is brilliant.
Super fun folk. Lots of great songs on this
I enjoyed, it probably deserves another listen. 3.5 stars.
they have a very special one-of-a-kind comforting atmosphere, what else is truly like them the first few songs are especially pretty
Very nice sound. Great vocal moments and quite the verity of song styles. Finished the album with no big complaints.
Lots of acoustic guitar, beautiful vocals.
liked it
Would have loved to listen to this with good headphones while lying in a field on a nice warm day. I love how many layers there are to each song, both literally with the vocals & instrumentals and figuratively with the lyrics. I really enjoyed this album all the way through, I too am looking for fun and feeling groovy, 4/5
I expected this to be kinda lame because Simon and Garfunkel are lame. Maybe not though, this was pretty good white bread music. Silent night must’ve blown the nips off people in the mid 60s but the current events rapid fire over a hymn doesn’t hit so hard 60 years later. Overall I did really like this album, I like Graceland more though. Between a strong 3 and light 4, but going with a 4 because Artie deserves it. Paul Simon sounds like a dick - Art kinda does too idk
"But all my words come back to me, in shades of mediocrity. Like emptiness in harmony I need someone to comfort me." Call it what you will, mawkish, overly sentimental, whatever. S&G's lyrics and harmonies have a way of pulling at my emotions that almost no other music does. Here's another of their albums full of incredibly well-written, meticulously performed classics.
Still brilliant like sun shine on a rippled lake.
8/10
Great voice with a fitting background sound. I think the first part of the album was the strongest, which is why I can only give et 4 stars.
7/10
Some really fantastic acoustic guitar work and finger picking. Also, some great harmonies and lyrics. You can totally hear how this album and S&G in general influenced so much of the modern stuff I listen to. It was a quick and easy listen and I would definitely listen again
I joked about this being as short as Out of Step but this really does feel like an EP of collected songs more than a true album, although it’s still pretty fucking great. Simon & Garfunkel are at their best exploring melodies and occasionally rocking out - as amazing as songs like “Scarborough Faire” and “For Emily…” are, there’s full out rockers like “The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine” and pure pop greatness like “Homeward Bound” to remind you these two could kinda do anything. There’s really only two missteps: the pure goof of “A Simple Desultory Philippic” and the way too on the nose “Silent Night”. But the rest of this is stone cold bangers, even if it doesn’t all fit together.
No denying the beauty of Simon and Garfunkel. No matter what they come after it is always a nice breath of fresh air, and given the past couple horrible weeks this was even better. Their harmonies and voices fit so perfectly together and their music is perfectly placed.
Good album with some great songs
Like a counterpoint to the obfuscation of Dylan - S&G dive right into deep emotions and don't shy away from beauty. Starting off with a song that feels musically more akin to Good Vibrations than a couple of young folkies. Not sure if fresh is the right word but these songs have a vibrancy that is undiminished. The productions is exquisite. And the songs. No wonder Paul remained a relevant songwriter for the almost 50 years of peaks and valleys.
Such a great album. Whole thing is pretty awesome
Tyhmähän sitä olisi jos ei tästä pitäisi. Herkkyyttä löytyy! 4/5
Ukkoutuminen jatkuu, mutta kyllä S&G tippuu nykyään. Kauniisti tehtyä kitarointia. 4/5
Pretty enjoyable, some of it even feels like it could have come out closer to the modern day.
Never listened to this before I thought they’d all be like Scarborough fair. I dug the dynamics
I loved how whimsical the song "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" was. It reminds me of forest creatures and fairytales. It was very instrumentally and vocally soft. This album was very folksy.
Excellent. A range of politics, humour, relaxation, and immaculate music.
another smash from the lads
Bra skit är det.
I have a couple vinyl copies of this album since I first heard it upon its release in 1966. I found this album to be a mix of their earlier work, Scarborough Fair, combined with a more progressive sound with Dangling Conversation and Patterns. Simon’s sweet melodies shine on Flowers Never Bend and For Emily, my personal favorites which are a precursor to future albums Bookends and Bridge Over Troubled Waters. As a side note, Feelin’ Groovy, was a favorite of my Mother’s and it could be heard most mornings as I ate my Cheerios.
Very fun and easygoing folky album. I love the songwriting of the boys very much.
Prachtig! Ik kende dit album nog niet, maar damn, die twee konden toch muziek maken. Toch een zestal nummers opgeslagen. 4.2
Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of guitar? Well in Scarborough fair you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of drums? Well in homeward bound you can! I rate it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of piano? well in 7 o'clock news lyrics you can! I rate it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Really enjoyed it. I loved how haunting even the pretty songs felt. I also like the way this album was mixed; it’s like they were playing the songs in an empty train station or something. The random Bob Dylan diss track was crazy
Some classic songs here, but doesn't rise as a whole to greatness.
This is the first time i listen to folk music and I really liked the experience. The calming guitar paired with harmonized poem-like lyrics that tell a story in each of the songs made me really enjoy the album, and I see myself listening to it again in the future. Some highlights are: "Homeward Bound", "The Dangling Conversation" and "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her". "Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall" and "A Poem on the Underground Wall" are also very nice songs.
its a really pretty sounding album love the songwriting love the folk-rock sound.. def will have to relisten to it so it can leave more of an impact on me, but it's a really great album
- It feels like any album by Simon and Garfunkel is at least a 4 star effort, largely because the lyrics are so piercing and evocative. - "The Dangling Conversation" was a new, thought-provoking discovery. I also found "Patterns," "Homeward Bound," and "A Poem on the Underground Wall" to be great additions (even if the lattermost song is silly in retrospect). - Putting the 1966 news over the final track was a gut punch. Feels very true to now (i.e. March 2025).
Very good
Homeward bound...what a song!!!!
Random thoughts: * There was a few songs that sounded like Peter, Paul, and Mary. * There was 1 or 2 songs that sounded like Dylan. * I never really thought of Simon and Garfunkel sounding like those artists before. * So cool, that they could take a several hundred year old song and make it popular in the 1960s. That is some musical genius. * This is still pretty early Simon and Garfunkel and you can tell they are still honing their sound. * I didn't love the Silent Night closer. Clearly the 7 o'clock news was added after the album's original release. Ws it used in a movie or something? It was familiar but didn't love it here.
[4.5*]
It is amazing how much meaning and pathos are crammed into the lyrics of these beautiful two minute long songs. I really enjoyed actively listening to this.
Yesterday I was listening to System Of A Down, thinking to myself how one-in-a-million their sound is. I wondered what other musicians I could bring to mind that were known for such a unique, instantly-recognizable sound. Simon & Garfunkel’s harmonies came to mind. “Scarborough Fair / Canticle” took all of 20 seconds to open up this album and confirm that exact thought I had. While simple harmonies over some folksy instrumentals were commonplace in the mid/late 60’s, a song like “Cloudy” is a good example of how S&G just did it with so much more character and spunk. I think “Homeward Bound” is the popular song from this record, but honestly it fits right into the track listing, it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. “59th Street Bridge Song” might be the most pleasant Sunday morning go for a walk song ever - it’s very homely and peaceful. Then comes “The Dangling Conversation” which is one of the most arresting and pretty songs I’ve heard in a long time. I cannot believe that these two were operating on such a perfect level even in the 60’s, that song is incredible. There’s a bit of Bob Dylan influence on here, as is the case for most 60’s white dudes, I’m learning. “A Simply Desultory Philippic” however, isn’t just a little artistic influence, it’s an outright parody of Bobby. Does it take me out of the immersion of the record? Maybe a little, but it’s still strikingly accurate. “A Poem On The Underground Wall” is a forceful, colorful rambler that continues to keep the quality of the record super high. The closing “7 O’clock News/Silent Night” was a strangely calming experience for me. It helped me realize that the craziness we are experiencing in the country today gave a similar feeling of unease that is conveyed in the news monologue on this song. Really cool way to end the album. One of my biggest takeaways from this entire list so far (about 370 album in) is that Simon & Garfunkel are worth all the hype and more. I thought about how this list could get annoying to someone who doesn’t have a taste for S&G, but then I thought how that could even be possible! The duo is undeniable. My only giant ding on this album is that some of the songs were so good I wish they went longer and had more time to evolve and develop. Strong 4/5 stars
This was an exciting one to get after a few clunkers and I enjoyed it ever more than I expected. A bit more folk-y than the Simon and Garfunkel albums I prefer, it was a great listen. The song where Paul is clearly doing an homage (or mocking?) Bob Dylan was among the more interesting on the album.
Very cozy
Loved this. It had a good balance between slow/folksy numbers and more upbeat ones. The opening track is definitely the highlight of the album—incredible production and vocals on that one. The Bob Dylan diss moment took me by surprise, it was not bad. I think I might need check out their entire discography 'cause it's a second album of theirs that I really enjoyed. Best song: Scarborough Fair/Canticle Other highlights: Homeward Bound, Cloudy, Pattern, A simple desultory philippic 4 stars
I liked this one quite a lot
Loved it. Big fan of Homeward Bound and Big Green Pleasure Machine, oh and the Bob Dylan impression
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— 4[.4] of 5 stars. Listening to this felt really refreshing, especially compared to what we got before. It’s a classic, again, old-timey in the greatest way possible. There’s a reason I always end up teaching “Scarborough Fair” to each one of my piano students (it’s in like every beginner piano book lol). Overall, it’s a really calming listen. I enjoyed it a lot. The opener “Scarborough Fair / Canticle” is absolutely iconic, and I absolutely adore their rendition of “Silent Night” as the closer of the album. I loved the mellow, subdued instruments throughout, and their vocals fit it extremely well. Overall, It’s a really easy, not too demanding listen; short, but, amazing. Favourites: Scarborough Fair, Silent Night⭐️, Homeward Bound. Dislikes: absolutely none at all :)
Beautiful sound and harmonies. I love Simon & Garfunkel. A great album.
Such a great album with the harmony between Simon and Garfunkel. Scarborough Fair is an incredible song with the countermelody and intricate details. Silent Night 7 o’clock news is also striking.
It's got a folkish vibe to it, been meaning to get into songs from the 60s. This Album was released in 1966. It was alright, i don't want to biased by saying i'm not into folk music but I have been getting into some 60s. It's a nice album
3.5
I had only heard one song from this album before, the very funny Dylan Pastiche "A Simple Desultory Philippic" which really did get a good laugh out of me and I still think about as one of the highlights here, but that's more because I get the joke now and it's so different from everything else in the album which is obviously what I imagined it would be, very lush and pretty "folk rock", the melodies alone just make it such a great listen while not wasting any time in its songs. I think what struck me the most was that sonic but I feel like I'll have to return to this one for the lyrics. Either way I really enjoyed it
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme is not my favorite Simon & Garfunkel album, but it's up there. The Dylan diss track precedes Drake and Kendrick Lamar by some time but the level of vitriol feels contemporary. A petty Paul Simon can be a wonderful thing and obviously Garfunkel was a good counter-balance. Helping the album be more than just Paul, Paul, Paul. And let's be real, it would've been. One shameful thing about this album people often talk about is the lack of song writing credits here and there. Relatedly, from the searches I've done, I need to know if Bob Cato is only the photographer of the cover or did he also do the graphic design? Because it's a crime if there's an uncredited genius out there who drew and/or typeset the artist and album name. 🔥
Sooo pretty
I've lost my harmonica, Albert.
It might not be their best but it is still really good
I mean they sound really nice but honesty that's kinda the reason they aren't gonna get a 5 from me. They sound too perfect too good to be true. It kinda irritates me. Also most of the songs sound very, very similar. Very folksy. Nice harmonies of course but the whole album was just very folksy which isn't a bad thing just not really my cup of tea for a whole album.
Easy to listen
This is a really good album. Scarborough Fair/Canticle is probably the best known track, but there is a nice mix of electric/acoustic and fast/slow tracks on here. This album shows the direction they are moving and their following albums would be even better.
Good listen, never had
Beautiful melodies. Great album. I was surprised, I thought it might be more boring, but I wasn't bored.
Classic Simon & Garfunkel.
It's a classic. Some of these songs are timeless. Love Scarborough Fair/Canticle as the opener. Homeward Bound is great. I prefer the live versions of Feelin' Groovy and For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her from the greatest hits records, but they are two of my favorite songs. There were some other cool tracks that I'm not super familiar with. The song A Simple Desultory Philippic was an interesting invocation of Bob Dylan and folk rock in general and the 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night tune was pretty haunting and poignant in light of current events. Great record.
My kind of album, love the harmonies and the juxtaposition of Silent Night with a news broadcast at the end was really unique. I would have appreciated a bit more variety though. Favourite track: Scarborough Faire
As a kid, I sang "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Felling Groovy)". I feel like I still have PTSD from that. Most of the songs do not feel as dated as you imagine, although "7 o'Clock News / Silent Night" seems a bit on the nose. The only other song that I was a bit iffy on was "Cloudy," I felt the lyrics were interesting, but the music was kinda meh. Otherwise, I liked the other songs. Short album, though. Top tracks: "Scarborough Fair / Canticle," "Patterns," "Homeward Bound," "The Dangling Conversation," "Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall," "For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her"
Wow. This album is almost 60 years old, and yet it feels timeless. I'm not saying that it sounds like modern music or that it doesn't have some feel of vintage. But the way they harmonize will never go out of style. Scarborough Fair is no rocker, it's slow and you might even say plodding if the vocals weren't so incredible and perfectly arranged with the soft guitar and harpsichord. I'm not saying this is a perfect album (side two isn't as good as side one) but it is captivating. Still, the big singles are better than the lesser knowns. Homeward Bound and Feelin Groovy are classics and while I don't really know The Dangling Conversation I quite enjoyed it (reminded me of Leonard Cohen). Patterns, Cloudy, and Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall are solid, but at times great and at times ho-hum. I do like Simon's satirical songs on this album, which I didn't know before. The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine is biting and set to a great poppy beat. A Simple Desultory Philippic is an interesting ode to Dylan - clearly written in his style, Simon does a good job with the word play and sounding like Dylan but it annoys me a little how much it sounds like Dylan. 7 O'Clock News/Silent News is really well done - the mix of Simon and Garfunkel harmonizing a sweet carol with despairing news overtop is poignant. I don't know I can quite give this album a 5, though I thought about it.
First, are we not going to talk about the shirt Paul Simon is wearing on the album cover? I think it was the model for Seinfeld's puffy shirt. Meanwhile Art is just sitting there in an everyday shirt. Paul just came from the Renaissance Faire and Art just got back from a stroll in Central Park. Moving on, I'm a HUGE Paul Simon fan, but even I have to admit this is an uneven album. It's got some absolute classics on it: Scarborough Fair (the guitar part and vocal harmonies are iconic, a true classic), Homeward Bound (such a great song), and The 59th Street Bridge Song (sure, it's a little cheesy, but again great guitar lines and a great vibe). A lot of the other tracks, though, are cheesy and/or seriously dated. Patterns sounds like it needs an old Western whip crack (wih-CHEW!). Almost the entire second side is dated (especially the Bob Dylan parody). I do like the 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night combo. The album is certainly a milestone album for Simon & Garfunkel, and a classic worth listening to (and I will definitely listen again), but it's a dated classic. Despite my love for Paul Simon's music, I gotta go with the 4 on this one.
It's Simon and Garfunkel. You know what you're getting into when you put them on. It's a couple of singer songwriters, singing calm songs from the late 60's and early 70's. It might be a little protest, but it's not outrageous. "Scarborough Fair" is a little nod to the past.
Mostly outside my wheelhouse but I do think it's quite good. I'm going to round up to a 4. One or two of the songs on here feel slightly familiar but I'm not sure I've actually heard them before. "I been Phil Spectored, resurrected" maybe evokes something slightly different now than it did back in 1965. I do like the jangly, rambling "A Simple Desultory Philippic;" apparently it's a parody of Dylan's style and, now that I read that, I feel it. The album ends on "7 O'Clock News / Silent Night," juxtaposing a bleak nightly news report with a Christmas Carol about peace. I think this one's effective, especially hearing it filtered through the lens of the current moment's non-stop parade of news nightmares (it's late January 2025).
I read a book called "Impossible" when I was in middle/high school that was based on Scarborough Fair, so that song I'm partial to. The whimsical/folk music does more for me than the lyrics do.
I enjoyed, it probably deserves another listen. 3.5 stars.
Could I listen to most of this album while playing Skyrim and it not break the immersion? Yes. 4 star album
Fínasta Folk frá flottu Folki.
Fínasta plata hjá þeim félögum, ljúf og þægilegt. Verður þó pínu leiðigjarn til lengdar, 2 hlustanir alveg nóg.
Simon & Garfunkel sing together in beautiful harmony whether Simon is the lead or Garfunkel is the lead. Thoughtful, peaceful album to listen to.
Lovely rich album that certainly showcases the dichotomy of songwriting styles between Simon and Garfunkel. The two of them together are incredibly gifted and wrote songs that will stand the test of time.
I liked it, it has a very “timeless” feel where it could be from the 40s or the 20s, it also feels very similar to Vampire Weekend but more stripped back. Not sure I’d listen to it regularly as it's not really my thing but it was an enjoyable experience
i don’t got much to say this is just a very pretty album
To put ir simply: beautiful
The Sound of Silence becoming a surprise hit was a mixed blessing for Simon & Garfunkel. On the one hand, it brought them back together. On the other, they'd never asked for the remix and it tied their second album to sounding like early Electric Dylan. Well, that wasn't going to happen this time. Paul and Art (along with Roy Halee) were in the producers seat, and they could make the album they wanted to. And what they wanted was atmosphere. Whether it's the more serious material (the haze of the opening Scarborough Fair/Canticle, the earnestness of Homeward Bound or Poem on the Underground Wall) or the more fun stuff (the Dylan-spoofing A Simple Desultory Philippic, the satirical 'Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine' you can see the care and hard work put into it. The two halves fit together well. Of course, the songwriting had been there ever since Paul had gone off to write his Songbook material in England but now everything was in place to cement their legacy. It was only up from here. Tangent: Speaking of the Paul Simon Songbook, it's interesting to see how differently the material from it was used in both the previous album, and this one. It's like night and day, despite the songs being written at the same time. Fave: Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall Least Fave: A Simple Desultory Phillippic Strong Bad Demerit Count: 0
Nice folk album. +1 for poking fun at Dylan
I definitely know this duo. Truly respect what they deliver. So good. Just a bit too mellow for me.
It is certainly of the time, it shows a bit of its age, but it has a lot of big tunes on it. Silent night scared the crap out of me as a child, the voice-over part…
Really noce
This album (and Simon & Garfunkel) remind me of my mom which is a good thing and deserves high rating! Aside from nostalgia, its just a pleasant album to listen to. I like their vocals and the acoustic vibe.
Classic 60’s flower power era folksy, gentle songs.
Awesome, harmonic
Short and sweet. Loved it!
First listen. Pretty good.
Patterns is a bop. Music you listen to on a journey and feels like you have a sack slung over your shoulder off on an adventure. Had me in the first half of big bright green pleasure machine but then it started to annoy me and I had to skip. 59th street brought me back with the soft guitar sounds and whispery vocals with the upbeat tone. Liked the vocals in for emily, almost sounded like Bowie at points. Good album, would listen again and have put a couple of songs on my "sunday" Spotify playlist.
i thought i might just miss today cuz Ive Got The Flu Baby and tbh even typing this feels like its taking energy that i dont have. but this seemed nice and undemanding so i threw it on and it ended up being p much perfect....aside from a couple "rockier" cuts that i tbh dont rly know what to make of, the mood is fairly constant in its combination of pastoral escapism and counterculture protest ...tbh kind of ideal for me being stuck in my suburban house and/or the sterile halls of the urgent care center. im not sure how Undemanding it ended up being tho,,,a couple places r so beautiful they rend me a little bit. idk why i didnt expect that tbh!
4.5
Really pristine and beautiful album. Wonderful listen. 4.5 stars
3.5/5
love these fellas
Good Album!
Loved it. It was so beautiful. My four favorite songs were Scaraborough Fair/canticle, the dangling conversation, a poem on the underground wall, and the classic silent night
3.5 - It's always gonna be good, but found this to be a lot weaker than their other stuff
Good stuff, these boys sure can right a beautiful number. Fave Tracks: Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound, The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy), 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night 4.3/5
This must be their best album - full of classic hits from this duo. Mellow, not super dynamic but perfectly encapsulates their style.
Patterns, homework bound were bops. Big bright green is a fast paced Beatles song.. 59th street.. feeling groovy.. and sounding groovy too Simple dulsatory sounds like a damn Dylan song. This is crazy how many genres are in this album Poem on the underground wall feels powerful.. need to listen to words to this bad boy Powerful finish Damn good influential album that doesn’t overstay its welcome
Did not l
Generally acoustic music on this album. Several big hits and some that I never heard. Hearing the 7 pm news makes me think not much has changed in sixty years. A very good album.
It was good.
7/10 I'll never understand why I like Paul Simon so much. The music is just seems shifted from another universe that closely resembles ours. the songs seem like they've existed since the days of bards. Good fucking stuff 12-30-2024
This album was all over the place, and there is a version of the 59th St Bridge Song out there that I like better than the one on this album. But Homeward Bound is so good and the whole thing kept me paying attention.
I liked this. I think I liked individual songs more than the whole package together though, but still quite a bit on the second or third listen. It's a slow burner for me.
## In-Depth Review of *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme* by Simon & Garfunkel *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme*, released in 1966, marks a pivotal moment in the career of Simon & Garfunkel. This album not only showcases their musical evolution but also reflects the socio-political climate of the 1960s. The duo's blend of folk and rock elements, coupled with profound lyrical content, solidified their status as leading voices of their generation. This review delves into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while highlighting its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrical content of *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme* is rich with imagery and emotional depth. Paul Simon's songwriting shines throughout the album, characterized by: - **Poetic Imagery**: Songs like "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" intertwine traditional folk elements with contemporary themes. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia while addressing deeper issues such as love and loss. - **Social Commentary**: Tracks such as "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" juxtapose the serene melody of a Christmas carol with a chilling news report, creating a stark contrast that critiques societal apathy towards violence and unrest during the Vietnam War era. - **Personal Reflection**: Songs like "Homeward Bound" express feelings of loneliness and yearning for home, resonating with listeners who share similar sentiments. The introspective nature of these lyrics allows for a personal connection with the audience. Overall, Simon's ability to weave complex narratives into his lyrics sets this album apart from its contemporaries. ### Music Musically, *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme* showcases a blend of folk rock that was innovative for its time: - **Harmonies**: Art Garfunkel's soaring vocals complement Simon's more grounded singing style, creating harmonies that are both intricate and emotionally impactful. Their vocal interplay is particularly evident in tracks like "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her." - **Instrumentation**: The album features a diverse array of instruments beyond traditional folk guitars. Strings, percussion, and even unconventional sounds are used to enhance the emotional weight of the songs. For instance, "The Dangling Conversation" employs orchestral arrangements that elevate the song's themes of disconnection. - **Production Quality**: Produced by Bob Johnston and engineered by Roy Halee, the album benefits from meticulous production techniques. The extended recording period allowed for thoughtful arrangement choices that contributed to the album's polished sound. ### Themes Thematically, *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme* explores various aspects of human experience: - **Love and Relationships**: Many songs reflect on romantic relationships' complexities and challenges. "The Dangling Conversation" captures the emotional distance between partners through clever wordplay and poignant imagery. - **Social Issues**: The album addresses pressing social concerns of the 1960s. The anti-war sentiment is subtly woven throughout many tracks, reflecting the duo's engagement with contemporary political issues without overtly confrontational rhetoric. - **Existential Reflection**: Simon's lyrics often delve into philosophical musings about life’s patterns and struggles. Songs like "Patterns" explore the cyclical nature of existence and personal growth. These themes resonate deeply with listeners from various backgrounds, making the album timeless in its relevance. ### Influence The influence of *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme* extends beyond its initial release: - **Cultural Impact**: As part of the folk rock movement alongside artists like Bob Dylan and The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel helped shape a new sound that combined traditional folk music with contemporary rock elements. Their lyrical sophistication set a precedent for future singer-songwriters. - **Legacy**: The album remains significant in music history for its artistic ambition and social commentary. It has been cited as an inspiration by numerous artists across genres who admire its blend of poetic lyrics and melodic complexity. - **Continued Relevance**: Themes addressed in the album continue to resonate today. Issues such as war, social justice, and personal introspection are still pertinent in modern discourse. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Lyrical Depth**: Paul Simon’s songwriting showcases exceptional literary quality that engages listeners intellectually. - **Vocal Harmony**: The combination of Simon’s baritone with Garfunkel’s angelic tenor creates a unique sound that is both soothing and powerful. - **Production Excellence**: The meticulous attention to detail in production results in a cohesive listening experience that enhances each track’s emotional impact. #### Cons - **Pacing Issues**: Some critics argue that certain tracks may feel slow or overly contemplative compared to more upbeat contemporaries from the same era. - **Accessibility**: While many appreciate the lyrical complexity, some listeners may find it pretentious or difficult to relate to without a background in literature or poetry. - **Dated Elements**: Certain songs may feel dated due to their specific references to 1960s culture or events; however, this can also be viewed as a historical snapshot reflective of its time. ### Conclusion In summary, *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme* stands as a landmark achievement in both Simon & Garfunkel's discography and 1960s music history. Its blend of poignant lyrics, harmonious melodies, and thoughtful production encapsulates the spirit of an era marked by social upheaval and artistic experimentation. While it has its drawbacks—such as pacing issues and occasional accessibility concerns—the album’s strengths far outweigh these shortcomings. It remains a timeless work that continues to inspire listeners with its depth and relevance.
Simon & Garfunkel are definitely my comfort band. Half of the album feels like you're lying on a field somewhere in the Welsh or Irish countryside unbothered by the world (Scarborough Fair, Cloudy, Homeward Bound, The Dangling Conversation, Flowers, For Emily, Poem on the Underground Wall, 7 O'Clock News), and the other half feels very whimsical and fun, which is not necessary bad (Patterns, Big Bright Green, 59th, A Simple Desultory Philippic). As you can see, they often intertwine, which, I don't even know if it's good for the album's overall narrative or not. The opener and closer tracks are divine, and I'll love them to death. Homeward Bound is also quite nice, Big Bright Green and A Simple Desultory Philippic are definitely very fun to listen to. Other tracks might be a bit forgettable tho. Solid 4.
Generally I've noticed quite a lot of hard panning... not sure how i feel about it. The album I like the vibe of, definitely nostalgic and distinctive sound, couple of standouts. Scarborough Fair - I liked this and the overlapping harmonies. Felt gentle and intricate. Quite repetitive but didn't feel boring. Patterns - instrumentation is quite reflective of the lyrics/messaging. Ending is a bit odd. Can't see myself listening to this a lot. Homeward bound - could be nice for a car journey vibing. Flowers never bend - I like the tambourine. Silent Night - it's nice but maybe I don't get it.
7.5/10. I'm not going to Scarborough fair, but thank you for asking me!!! :) It's a really pleasant and melancholic album!!! :)
Decent album, nice song writing. Folky like Dylan
Feelin' groovy...
Paul Simon's guitar playing (and songwriting) really shines here. Liked Songs Added: Scarborough Fair/Canticle Homeward Bound The 59th Street Bridge Song For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her
A classic with a lot of favourite tunes.
Gentle harmonies, pretty songs. The lone (bad) outlier was A Simple Desultory Philippic--I thought my player had switched to Bob Dylan, but apparently this was written/performed to mock the man's style. LOL.
Going between gorgeous folk and upbeat hippie, the album is a pick me up and full of the most gorgeous lyrics. Until the final song, which is a deadly, almost frightening, recognition of reality. 4.5/5
I always like Simon and Garfunkel more than I think I will. First I think they’ll bore me with traditionalism - then they find bongo grooves, lampoon Bob Dylan, and dive headlong into social commentary. And obviously the flawless harmonizing doesn’t hurt. The album has some awesome tracks like “patterns” and some real hoke like “The 59th Street Bridge Song”. All in 28 minutes.
Still so good. Almost 5.
Classic album, enjoyed listening to it again.
A lot more interesting than I was expecting. A lot more genre hopping than I would have thought. One of those groups where you just kind of forget how good they were. 4/5
When you commit to listening to an album a day for 1001+ days, a runtime under 30 minutes feels like a gift. For *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme*, that brevity enhances its brilliance. Like many of their 60s and 70s peers, Simon & Garfunkel are often reduced to a “Greatest Hits” act—a perception cemented by their nine official compilations and box sets. While their iconic sound is universally recognized, this was my first dive into this album from start to finish, and it was a delightful surprise. The album showcases Paul Simon’s evolution into a masterful lyricist and composer, blending poetic imagery with introspection, sharp social critique, and inventive musical structures. Simon’s lyrics are vivid and layered: "The Dangling Conversation" captures emotional distance through literary metaphors, while "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" merges a traditional folk ballad with an anti-war counter-melody. Themes of longing ("Homeward Bound"), satire ("The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine"), and existential musings ("Patterns") reveal Simon’s ambition and range. Musically, he pushes beyond folk's limits with polyphony, unconventional arrangements, and shifting meters, paving the way for the conceptual richness of *Bookends* and the grandeur of *Bridge Over Troubled Water*. Vocally, Simon & Garfunkel are at their finest. Art Garfunkel’s ethereal tenor and Paul Simon’s grounded warmth merge into harmonies that are both flawless and profoundly moving. Tracks like the opener highlight their intricate layering, while "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" captures pure, angelic tenderness. Their harmonies aren’t just beautiful—they’re the heart of the album, setting a benchmark for vocal duos to come, all without the help of computer trickery. *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme* solidified S&G's place as defining voices of the 60s folk revival and laid the groundwork for their later triumphs. While it doesn’t quite match the cohesion of Bookends or the sweeping impact of Bridge Over Troubled Water, it remains a captivating listen. And truly, after hearing this, why waste time on bands like The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons? Simon & Garfunkel perfected this sound decades ago. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? It depends on your criteria, but this album has stood the test of time. Would this release make my personal list? Originally I wanted to limit my list to one album per artist, but increasingly this is sounding impossible. Will I be listening to it again? For sure, this is a vibe.
This is a classic album. let's see what people think about it, especially myself. Sometimes you just wanna listen to old white dudes sing fairy music.
Liked it. Great album full of gentle songs, but there are some misses on it.
Enjoyable listen with some classics
Silent night is so good
The influence of the English folk pop scene shows in this album, which for me personally is one of the weaker periods of pop music. However the huge hits like Scarborough Fair, 59th Street make it worth the listen. Bonus to the Dylan influenced flair to close out the album and the closing 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night offers a stark antiwar message that sadly does nothing to influence the US from remaining in a senseless war for many more years. 4/5
There are several tracks on this album that make me tear up. Minor keys, pure poetry, I have to be in the right mood, but when I am, nothing hits like this.
Relaxing listen guided by Mr Garfunkel’s soothing voice.
Fyrsta rennsli, fín en mistæk, og svo komu svona sautján rennsli til viðbótar. Elska þá og mörg lög hér, engin fullkomnun, en mjög rúmur fjarki.
If you get past Art Garfunkel's terrifying hair, this album is classic folk. I mean we have all heard Scarborough Fair more times than we can count. Stand out tracks: - Scarborough Fair - Homeward Bound - The Dangling Conversation - A Simple Desultory Philippic - A Poem on the Underground Wall
This is another 3.5 from me that I bumped up to a 4 due to impact and influence. I do like the album, and there are some classics, but, at this point (in 2024), I'd rather listen to other music by S&G or, better yet, other folk artists. However, there is no denying what this album did for so much music, especially modern folk and indie artists.
i lowkey love these guys i might be a fan tbh
Would listen to this as background music, Scarborough fair is an absolute banger, there were some other bangers in there as well. Definitely very talented so I'll give them the jump to 4, I also enjoyed it a lot more than other backgroundy albums
Short and sweet. Quite a variety on this S&G album. Scarborough Fair and Homeward Bound and Feelin' Groovy are best known songs. A surprise is Simon doing his best, and credible, Bob Dylan impression on a song i will never remember the name of.
Buen disco. Me gusto mucho la primer canción. Aunque creo que todavía no es el mejor de Simon & Garfunkel
I’m a live cut junkie so most of the classics on this I am familiar with the live versions on “The Concert in Central Park” album from ‘82. There are few artist duos or groups from the 60’s & 70’s that are in the same stratosphere as these two when comes to harmonizing and songwriting. 4.25/5
Short and sweet. Pretty good.
Awwwe Simon and Garfunkle. My mom loved these guys. I think she said one of her music teachers introduced her to them when learning about harmonizing. They do harmonize pretty fucking good. lol This album had a couple songs that perked my ears. Some darkness in one of them, no not the sound of silence. Something about rats. And then a naughty reference in A Simple Desultory Philippic.