Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Folk bliss! The boys have some of the best harmonies you’ll ever hear. Not their best album but I still love it. Added to playlist: Patterns
Amazing harmonies, beautiful lyrics. These guys make really good stuff. Folky and relaxing.
It's a vibe
Scarborough Fair / Canticle Homeward Bound The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feeling Groovy) 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night
Had some great songs, however the further down the album you get, the more it starts to sound the same.
Baladas de S&G. Un 4.
Beautiful soul touching music. Loved it so much
Scarborough Fair/Canticle is Alfa. Homeward Bound is Alfa. Love the harmonies.
Amazing length and good vocals
Really great songs, not my usual stuff, but beautiful writing and composition.
çok çok güzel bir albüm
My quirky guys! The legendary "Scarborough Fair," my first exposure to S&G, and definitely one of their best. What kind of guys just decide to make an ancient song like that? A number of great songs on here, just reiterating how fantastic Paul Simon is as a songwriter (not to completely minimize Art Garfunkel, but the one thing I remember reading on Wikipedia is that he didn't like "Dangling Conversation" because he thought it was too pretentions). Especially dug the Dylan homage on "Simple Desultory Philippic" - what the hell do these words even mean? Also loved the closer, which I had first heard in the form of Phoebe Bridgers' remake. Didn't realize it was a Simon and Garfunkel track, but I can't say I'm surprised. Very bold for 1966. Great album! Favorite tracks: Scarborough Fair, Flowers Never Bend, 59th Street Bridge Song, Simple Desultory Philippic, 7 oClock News. Album art: This one's been embedded in my brain for more than a decade. Not sure if I'd call it iconic, but I personally love it. The boys look very mysterious here, and it appears they are sitting in a field of flowers, but the background has been replaced with blackness. Also why are the tracks in the wrong order? 4/5
Folk classic. Several good and two great songs here
Haunting, great playing. Political.
4/5
I've gotten a few S&G albums and have loved every single one of them! They are very talented singers and songwriters! I love their music and style!
Lots of good tunes here.
well paced, relaxing, overall great album
THOUGHTS -Art Garfunkel: His name describes his looks. -Obviously "Scarborough Fair" is a banger. -The songs sound like if wandering minstrels dropped acid. -"Patterns" sounds like "Kaw-Liga" if you squeezed out the racism. -I'm enjoying this in a sort of "cozy on the couch in a blanket drinking spiced tea" kind of way, but I couldn't imagine going to a Simon and Garfunkel concert; it would be like taking a Xanax and patiently waiting for it to kick in while somebody I just met explains their favorite poetry to me. -"7 O'clock News / Silent Night" is ... really great(?). Simple, poignant. It came out 60 years ago and that makes it feel more subversive. Also did not expect the Christmas song / Richard Speck name check juxtaposition. -These songs are short. Was this whole album like half an hour long? *checks Wikipedia* Yep. I hope they didn't charge full price. -"The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine": second place to "Yellow Submarine" in the "Songs About Colorful Inventions That Came Out in 1966" -I shouldn't like "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" but I do. You can't listen to it and stay angry. -"A Poem on the Underground Wall" is another banger.
I'd happened to spend some time listening to S&G stuff, this included, earlier in the year so the album was pretty familiar to me. I enjoy this sort of thing - there's enough variation and enough of interest on it to keep me listening and make me want to go back and listen again as well. Solid 4 stars
some legendary songs + misc other folksy protest lyrics and a diss track that still holds up. loses some steam on the 2nd half. 3.75/5
I very much enjoyed listening to this album, but I think I just don't like Scarborough Fair. I don't think I've ever liked it and it's always put me off Simon and Garfunkel, I can't put my finger on it, it's just kind of a creepy song i don't enjoy. Homeward Bound however, is fantastic. Other Highlights include For Emily and the 59th Street Bridge Song. I would have to go with a low 4 for the album, its short and to the point, the songs are short and sweet. Really enjoyable
Almost a 5.
Good songwriting, great harmonies.
It was certainly a nice listen. Some of songs started to sound a bit similar by the end, but oh well. I don't know if I prefer Bridge Over Troubled Water to this, but I probably do. A lighter four, but still a four. My favourite song was Homeward Bound.
I'm not a folk fan - far from it. This album, however, is great. The songs are good, the arrangements are sublime, the singing is superb. It helps that I heard it quite often when I grew up. Rediscovering it now through the list was a nice surprise. 4/5
Decent 7
Very calm and soothing vocals with quiet though present instrumentals.
Heerlijk, luistert lekker weg op een ontspannen dag, maar prikkelt ook voldoende.
I never thought I'd like this band as much as I do, but it's something I'll admit after listening thanks to this challenge. I love the harmonies & the lyrics. It's solid stuff.
A relaxing Friday listen. 7/10
Très «mystique» et éthéré mais tout en étant chaleureux et intime. Bonne vibe
This is a great album, but not quite as great as Bookends. There's a few real classics ("Scarborough Fair" and "Homeward Bound" in particular are fantastic), a few enjoyable but MOR songs, and a couple of goofy duds. However the singing and playing is fantastic throughout all of them. Overall I'd say it's a 7 or 8/10.
Such a calming album, such a great duo. Will need to listen to more of there music in the future. Favorite songs: Scarborough Fair / Canticle, Homeward Bound and 7 O'clock News / Silent Night
Simon and Garfunkel, didn't think I'd enjoy them so much!
A time capsule for the 60's. This album was a treat.
This album felt like it belonged in a like, fantasy RPG tavern with two guys with lutes playing these songs. It's pretty good
This doesn't quite have the folksy blend that I like best from Simon (& Garfunkel), but still a worthy outing. Must be a hoot and a half listening to this on shuffle and the Bob Dylan diss track ends up playing back to back with "7 O'clock News / Silent Night"
Sorry but I loved it
Highlights: A Poem on the Underground Wall, 7 O'clock News / Silent Night 4,5/5
Eleganckie chłopaki
well, it is not bad and have interesting tracks, bur Bridge Over Troubled Water is better for me.
fan va mysigt det är asså folksy som fan
A an amazing folk album, Scarborough fair is a banger
Solid but not my type of music
Not into Scarborough Fair but the rest of the albums pretty good with some outstanding tracks. Surprised I like Simon and Garfunkel so much.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel is a timeless folk masterpiece that showcases the duo's exceptional harmonies and songwriting prowess. Released in 1966, it represents a significant leap forward in their artistic development and remains a standout album in their discography. Overall, I would give this album a solid 4 out of 5 rating. One of the defining qualities of this album is the sheer beauty and intricacy of Simon & Garfunkel's vocal harmonies. Tracks like "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" and "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" exemplify their ability to create ethereal and captivating vocal arrangements that perfectly complement their heartfelt lyrics. The duo's voices blend together seamlessly, creating a sense of intimacy and connection with the listener. The songwriting on Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme is equally impressive. Simon's poetic and introspective lyrics explore themes of love, social issues, and personal reflection. Whether it's the contemplative "Patterns," the evocative "The Dangling Conversation," or the thought-provoking "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night," the album consistently delivers powerful and thought-provoking songs that have stood the test of time. Musically, the album is rich with acoustic guitar-driven arrangements that provide a warm and inviting atmosphere. Simon's intricate fingerpicking and Garfunkel's melodic embellishments enhance the songs' emotional impact, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience.
Beautiful. Just beautiful. Never been mad for Si and the Funk but this was excellent! Defo listen to this again and might find it’s way onto the list for purchase!
Love S&G. Nice American folk
Some classic tracks on here. A lovely short album
A few great songs and a few thrownaways
Love all Simon and G.
4.5
It's not Bridge Over Troubled Waters but it's still very good.
Swing your pants
Excellent
A begrudging 4
I give this album 4/5 stars because it is good
classic.
Always enjoyed Simon & Garfunkel.
Some great stuff here like Homeward Bound, Bright Green Pleasure Machine, Simple Desultory Philippic (whatever that means!) and then a couple of lame pretentious songs. 4/5
It's Simon and Garfunkel! Of course it's brilliant. I don't really know what else there is to say.
Great music, great lyrics. Homeward Bound is a standout track.
I enjoyed this album a lot. This is another one of those old American bands that I don't know a lot about. I mean, I know the hits, but the only song I recognized on Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme was Scarborough Fair which seems like it was written while Paul and Art were on industrial grade LSD. I enjoyed the songs Patterns and the song A Simple Desultory Philippic (or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission) had lots of silly words and pop culture references. I later read it was a Bob Dylan diss track. ZING!
Beautiful.
Side 1. 3 classics of the folk rock genre, 2 excellent lesser known tunes and 1 I might consider throw away. Side 2. No really well known songs, but all are successful with lots of humour and pathos and all those things that make S&G so compelling. 4 stars
Con inspiracion del folk tradicional y jn poco de mezcla, esta dupla me hace recordad a soulfjan stevenes, me lleva a las letras profundas y hermosas, musica de chill. Hermoso. 8/10
OOOh heerlijk dreamy
Good album. ‘Scarborough Fair’ is nice, ‘The 59th Street Bridge Song’ is a good Bob Dylan parody, and ‘Silent Night’ is haunting. Not as good as Bookends, but still good.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Flowers never bend with the rainfall
4.5 stars. Folk at it's best. Front to back a gentle yet bright and usually acoustic listen. The vocals is what makes this record, the harmonies as well as individual moments are really beautiful.
Favorites: The Dangling Conversation, Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound, Feelin Groovy, and For Emily. 4/5.
Classic record. Some of S&F's best material here like 59th Street Bridge Song and Homeward Bound. Also some fun digs and political songs like A Simple Desultory Philippic or 7 O'clock News. Not their best album, but certainly a must for any fan. Can't deny Paul is one of the best songwriters of all time.
Thought I'd hate this but I totally dig it. They sound just like Bell and Sebastion (or vice versa). Love that the songs are mostly 2 minutes long but also that last song, 7 o'clock news, just kinda sucks. Also, these guys clearly spend a lot of time looking at flowers.
Terrific!
I don't think I've heard a more out-of-place song on an album than A Simple Desultory Philippic. Regardless, this is classic Simon & Garfunkel, sweet and soft folk to make you think and includes some of their most well-known of that style as well as a few that stick a little further than most
Nice harmonies!
Cool album, was over disappointedly quick
Wasn't familiar with the existence of this album. Came as a really nice surprise. Exactly what I hope to get from a Simon & Garfunkel record. Bit short but that's probably why it doesn't have any dull moments.
HL: "Homeward Bound", "Scarborough Fair", "59th St Bridge Song", "The Dangling Conversation", "For Emily", "Flowers Never Bend" -4/12 songs I already knew from my greatest hits CD - Liked the other 8 well enough, though some songs (most notably "A Poem") sound like they end before a natural conclusion. - So in 1966 we have a Bob Dylan song imitating John Lennon imitating Bob Dylan, from Blonde on Blonde, AND a Paul Simon song imitating Bob Dylan from that same album ("everybody must get stoned") - "Silent Night" hits different in late winter February 20, 2023
Very wholesome. It'd calm your nerves as you drove up north to dodge the draft.
Love me some Simon & Garfunkel
Not my favourite S&G but I still think it is great. Finding it hard to describe what I like about it - maybe that its a bit unusual. Gentle singing and weird songs.
I enjoyed this. Patterns and For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her stuck and 7 O'clock News / Silent News was clever
4 stars.
pretty album
there’s something so intoxicating about the music of the 60s, the way the boomers really thought they were the vanguard of a revolution that was building a new world of freedom and delight the fact that they were actually destroying their own civilization just makes it more poignant
Peaceful and optimistic, full of baroque vocals and lush instrumentation from bells to harpsichord. This is one of their first great albums. Some outstanding songs like "Scarborough Fair" and "59th Street Bridge Song." It's short and only has a few forgettable tracks that still have some redeeming qualities. What was up with that Dylan copycat "A Simple Desultory Phillipic?"
Listening to this on the background while working (dull work). Noticed that some of the songs are actually funny and I am very excited to listen to the whole album again - while doing nothing for sure. 4.0/5
Other than their first album, this was the only Simon & Garfunkel album that I knew nothing from going in, so I was intrigued going in to see what I would get. This is the first album in their discography on this list, so I was also intrigued to see why this made it over Sounds of Silence. In the end I think this a pretty good album with some snags. There is quite a bit of variety for something from '66, and there is quite a bit to enjoy. I think some songs here are just not very notable. Other songs, such as the final song, are very strong sounding, but aren't something I imagine wanting to go back to. Overall I enjoyed my time and will be giving this a light four. You can think of it more as a 3.5 if that helps you sleep at night, if my score seems more positive than my review.
Me encantan las voces. Tranqui y melódico.
A bit soft in the way it went in my ears. Good tunes though and deserves a reasonable score for songwriting CAPICHE
It's a grower not a shower. Don't get me wrong it still feels very dated but some corking lines. I feel like my soul had been cleansed of all sins. Long live the herbs.
Definitive sound. Doesn’t have my favs. Always thought S+G were a greatest hits band. Been proven wrong. Need to deep dive. Could have been written in 1860. Garfunkel looks like he’s from Peckham. SoT Scarborough Fair/Canticle Cloudy Homeward Bound The Dangling Conversation The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her 4/5
Very pretty vocals on the album. The last song was quite the statement though.
I listened to this album on a rainy Monday morning in Los Angeles. It was fairly short, a bite-sized vignette into the world of the ‘60s. News stories, hippies, a relationship that seems to not be working for the narrator. That Dylan track was funny. Even in the ‘60s there was beef! I enjoyed this album. It didn’t change my life but it was a nice little package of great riffs, harmonious duets, and poetic lyrics (as we would all expect from S&G). My favorite lyric from this album for one reason or another: “So I'll continue to continue to pretend My life will never end And flowers never bend With the rainfall”
A classic with the occasional mediocre song
I’m liking the album more than I thought. I've never been that big an S&G fan (nor a big solo S fan, at that). But this album is noisier, angsty-er, and better than I expected! Songs like "Patterns," "A Simple Desultory Phillippic" (hilarious, btw), and "7 O'clock News / Silent Night" made the softer, more elegant duets between S&G—for which they are most associated—a bit taller, a bit more dynamic in my mind. I especially liked "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and the opening cut. The lyrics are sometimes a bit silly. Sometimes a touch pretentious and the soundscape is perhaps too "medieval" at times. But overall a very soft, pleasantly satirical, mid-60s cut by two great singers and one great songwriter. I like the production too. And am glad it's so short. Though I will say, I am little uncertain why this album is on the list when I expect we are going to get at least 2 more S&G albums and at least 2-3 solo S albums thrown at us in the future. Not sure what makes this one deserving of a place in addition to all those. But that's besides the point. It's a very good album and I like it.
At least one star has to be given to them for Scarborough Fair... an unlikely hit if there ever was one, and one that perfectly captures the woody nymphy folk sound of the era. I'm a huge fan of where that genre ends up... I think psychedelic folk might be one of my favorite ever genre for how weird it gets... and this song is definitely in the minds of a lot of artists as they go in that way. The rest of the album is a mix. Homeward Bound and 59th Street Bridge Song perfectly capture the lyricism, the playfulness that I love about Paul Simon's songwriting. Tongue in cheek and then yearning visual, pulls you in. At times I think he's a little too clever for his own good, but what can you say about an English major who soon to become one of the greatest songwriters of his generation. That's the artist's journey. I'd absolutely listen to this a few more times. There's always more to the lyrics to pick up. We're right around the corner from Bookeneds and that's when my ears start to really perk up. But there are some really tender moments on here. Two caterpillars in metamorphosis.
söndagsmusik. på en fredag? plötsligt händer det!!
Fun take on old chants, very chill fairs vibes. Something nice for a slow day.
Good Album, liked the athmosphere
great and compact album, slightly let down by a focus on intricacy vs simplicity
Great
Sure
Tone-wise, all over the place. However, homeward bound is genuinely fantastic and I will always love Simon and Garfunkel, so this gets a 4.
Short and sweet. Some HAIM vibes actually, and I ended up liking two songs. The outro's political vibe was also a nice touch. Overall 7.5/10
Chill
Pretty good but not their best
They are so smooth. It's like the could say anything, no matter how rude or grotesque, and it would glide by because it's so sugary. Great writing, and a very special sound.
Love anything by Simon & Garfunkel also Paul Simon solo.
Notes - third album by simon and garfunkel - released following an album they werent super proud of - spent a long time in the studio to make something they actually liked - you can hear how much time was spent on guitar lines and harmony - intertwining and layering fantastically - lyrical themes of social issues, fame, love least fav - patterns - cool tune but didnt love it Fav - Flowers never bend with the rainfall - Great guitar work and lyrics 4.5/5
Not awful. Bonus star for being 28 minutes long.
A classic album....Paul Simon has an unforgettable voice, and when you mix. in Art Garfunkle....you have the greatest harmony in history. Also incredible song writing....
Beautiful songs. Gorgeous harmonies. It’s not perfect. For that, you’d have to have a Best of S&G album. It’s very much a period piece but elegantly, constructed, and enough hits to keep you going. Some albums revel in their bloatedness. This one is to be applauded for its brevity. Short and oh so sweet.
Awesome album, probably not their best, but Homeward Bound is amazing and there are many more strong tracks on this record.
Another enjoyable album from Simon and Garfunkel.
Mooie liedjes duren niet lang. Dat bewijst dit album maar al te goed.
What a fantastic album. Unfortunately I don't think it's as good as the later stuff in their careers and there are some clunkers on here, but it's definitely a sign of things to come.
Listened Before? N An album that just FEELS like 60s NYC. Even to someone who wasn't there. These guys made magic when it came to their harmonies, and Simon's writing. I love this album. It has everything from low and slow ballads, to scathing political commentary. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: 59th Street Bridge Song, Scarborough Fair
A very joyful album by Simon and Garfunkel (also very short). Simple melodies, accompanied by soft voices of two singers, falling into abundance of sweetness at times. There was couple of very interesting songs, especially quite surprising "Silent Night" song, normal Christmas Carol, with radio news broadcast in the background (moving into foreground as the song progresses). News are pretty depressing, but very telling of current times. Very interesting idea. Other parts of album include the more famous "Scarborough fair", or "Homeward Bound", which are really nice folk pieces, just a bit too soft in my opinion, as if written for people with anger issues. But otherwise, very interesting album, and a good listening session.
Simon and Garfunkel had a smooth partnership. They made each other sound better. This album was one of the springboard into that whole folk rock thing. A number of well known cuts but some I had not listened to previously. Poetic lyrics with minimal accompaniment
I don't know where that fair is, but text me the details, and I'll be there. I read that many critics have considered it a breakthrough in recording for the duo and one of their best efforts. I agree.
Nice, easy-listening tunes, as expected from S&G, although I was surprised by the subtle political and social criticism of the last track: 7 o'clock news/Silent night.
First time I’ve heard the originals of some of these. Pretty interesting. I got a Beach Boys vibe at times.
This is a classic 60s album, the one where Simon and Garfunkel really came into their own. I think after Sounds of Silence, a lot of people probably thought they were going to be a one-hit wonder but this album demonstrated a duo with a lot of talent and staying power. Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound, 59th Street Bridge Song, and For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her are all all-time classics. The rest of the album is mostly filler material, except for the closer 7 O'clock News / Silent Night, which is really moving and beautiful in its own way. I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars for this album. I would give it 5, but I do think there are a fair amount of throwaway songs on here, and at times it's a bit naive and pretentious so I'm going with 4. Plus that shirt Paul Simon is wearing on the album cover is worth at least a 0.25 point deduction.
culls calm moves me
soOOooo sweet. the OG twee boiz
Classic
Some amazing songs here, and some pretty good ones. Probably not gonna listen to it as a whole too often, but I'll certainly be coming back to my favorites.
Favorite: homeward bound
Well this is something. I'm just enjoying the political undercurrents I never appreciated. 5 stars for touching on Lenny Bruce. Minus 1 star for trying to appropriate Scarborough Fair as your own song, a nursery rhyme we all learnt when we were 3 years old
Gorgeous and haunting at the same time. I need to get some of their stuff on wax for sure.
What can I say, I'm a sucker for Simon and Garfunkel. Stand out song for me is definitely "flowers never bend with the rainfall", but all their songs are great
I liked it more than expected. Found it strong throughout with anti war themes. Great melodies as well.
Still LOVE this album. Still HATE the title font. Can't believe it was today when I figured out the Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine was cannabis. First time I heard The 59th Street Bridge Song - rainy morning in Vechta, West Germany. I had my yellow Sony Walkman/radio and was walking down a cobblestone street alone. Mind blown! The Dangling Conversation is a nod to Art's reading obsession/love (see https://www.artgarfunkel.com/library.html) The whole album just reeks of 1966. Lots of lovely jingly-jangly (see Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall). ******** Post-listening note: I discovered that Art's son, Art Jr., has an album in German called "Wie Du: Hommage an Meinen Vater" in which he sings the classics auf Deutsch. Art Jr's grandparents were German and played a big role in his life. My delight = Andre's annoyance. I think any German speaker will enjoy it immensely. Geil!
Folky trace, surprisingly good
4. Solid album. Some great tracks on here and the weaker ones are mostly fine/harmless. 7 O'clock News / Silent Night is not particularly insightful or good to listen to. Standouts: Patterns, Homeward Bound, Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall.
Living in the 60s must have been dope with all of these great vocal harmonies running around. Obviously this album is filed to the brim with them. Other than that I don't have a huge amount to say about it. It's a Simon and Garfunkel album. They didn't make a huge number of albums together, but all of them were good. This doesn't have the best production quality, at least on the version that I listened to. You can hear that it's a good album, but it's also evident that there is some loss of audio quality. Overall I liked Bridge Over Troubled Water better, but this is still a very beautiful album. I don't even like folk music, but it's hard for me to see how you wouldn't like this 4/5
Approaching their best...
Cool album
The harmonies.
Better than I thought!
Folk
One of their better albums. Would revisit this if I was in the right mood.
5 4
Not my genre... But the songs are good, and only 28 minutes total, so enjoyable overall. Patterns and homeward bound best songs 4/5
Vem sade att vita gossar inte har själ!!!
The eponymous opener is divine. The other tracks are great
Nice and short
It feels a little sacrilegious to not give Paul Simon full marks but this is a little too folky for me. A couple of brilliant songs on here but it almost feels like he’s trying to be a poetic genius where as at his best it comes across as less contrived. If not for his later work, I’m sure this would be 5 stars, so not really a fair metric…
This is probably my least favorite S&G album, but that being said it is still amazing.
Beautiful.
The middle child in the duo's discography. A mixed bag of brilliant and pleasantly meh. Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound, and Feeling Groovy were the best cuts on here. For Emily is okay here but massively improved live. This album also features the most haunting version of a christmas carol Silent I've ever heard.
Surprisingly layered. Good stuff.
This project made me realize I’d only really listened to singles and greatest hits of this duo. Hearing the deeper cuts and sequences in the actual albums (as well as the studio versions of several songs I had only heard a live cut of) has been eye opening: the weirder, more experimental stuff. Percussion! Anyway it’s a great album.
An album of highs and lows. Less keen on the hippyish stuff but songs like there were also some great songs in there. Not sure how to rate really...
Comment peut on ne pas aimer
envie d'aller au dodo zzzzzzz
Very fond of this album. The olde worlde English fete aspect of American folk never got less annoying than it is on the opening track. But they switch up the style of music a few times as the album runs. I love S&G's voices working together across the album. "Patterns" is lovely poetic songwriting. The first four tracks are basically untouchable, but I'm less in love with side B of the album. "A Simple Desultory Philippic" I've always found annoying as Paul Simon doing a Bob Dylan impression is only interesting one time at most. I have to say, I think Sounds of Silence is a more consistent album, even though it is surpassed by the opening four tracks of this follow-up. Putting three of their five albums in this 1001 list seems questionable, especially when Sounds of Silence isn't one of them. 4*
Silent Night. Civil Rights Act 1968. 1974 Women's Rights, 1988 Disability
Solid album, sounds like a classic. 4/5
Simon and Garfunkel are WELL into drugs on this one and it's glorious. Really dog this one.
I mean it's great. Opening with a folk standard misleads you as it brings you arch, clever, optimistic folk-pop afterwards. If you don't love A Simple Desultory Phipillic or The 49th Bridge Street Song, I have no time for you.
weird to think of a time before these songs existed. their first really good album with numerous classics, and a sample of news from the era that sounds like a relic of a better time in comparison to now
Iconic. Can’t hear the title track without singing along, and there are many other singalong tracks on this disc. It staves off the advancement of time well.
Some of Paul Simon's worst instincts are on display, but there's enough good stuff here to rescue it. Best track: The Dangling Conversation
A banger
Classic 60s
I often check out the day-old pastry section of our grocery store for deals. As one might expect, it’s a hit and miss situation. I have walked away with some delectable goodies at rock bottom prices. However, the other day I purchased a package of cookies- soft style lemon, filled with blueberries- that turned out to be just average, maybe even a little below. But that’s the nature of the pastry seconds community. Some things work, others don’t. When they do, they’re delicious. When they don’t, well… Think of the songs on Simon & Garfunkel’s 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme' as items in the day-old pastry section (although most of this LP rightfully belongs in the main display case containing the fresh baked stuff). Certainly, the recipes looked pretty good on a couple of the numbers, but the actual taste fell a little flat: ‘The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine’ with it’s tired 60’s critique of commercial television, and Simon’s tongue-in-cheek (I think?) mock Dylan on ‘A Simple Desultory Philippic.’ Thankfully, though, most of the LP is stocked with fresh out of the oven tollhouse cookies (complete with pecans), and even a big glass of ice cold milk. One cannot help but delight in the aroma of joyful innocence emanating from ‘The 59th Street Bridge Song.’ Same for tasting the more wistful (another predominate 60s emotion) flavor of songs like ‘Cloudy’ or ‘Homeward Bound.’ The best of the bunch, for me, were the Simon guitar accompaniments to Garfunkel’s lead vocals on, for example, ‘For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.’ Paul Simon’s lyrics tend to overshadow his equally talented guitar playing, ‘Patterns’ and ‘The Dangling Conversation’ being two tasteful examples of subtle fills and an overall commanding technique. And Art Garfunkel’s baby skin soft, tender vocals on songs like ‘Scarborough Fair’ and ‘For Emily’ are about the stuff of dreams ‘pressed in organdy.’ About Simon’s lyrics- with a modicum of words, the scenes he sets on ‘A Poem on the Underground’ or ‘The Dangling Conversation’ is wonderful to behold. Furthermore, his meter and general word play throughout are like herbs enhancing an entree. He describes a relationship on ‘The Dangling Conversation’ thusly: ‘Like a poem poorly written we are us out of rhythm, couplets out of rhyme in syncopated time.’ The entire LP was carefully bookended by two songs, the final being the juxtaposition of the hopeful dream for the world in the birth of Jesus with the nightmare of the actual state of the world in 1966, in particular related to war. The opener, ‘Scarborough Fair’ is typically dismissed as a quaint nostalgic glimpse into the mid 60s, but a closer look at the lyrics Simon sings in contrast to the more familiar ones from Garfunkel reveals something different. (And, just a hint of a harpsichord accompaniment, in case you forgot what decade you were listening to.) I’m a big fan of Rosemary. I enjoy it in foods both savory or sweet. Sage and Thyme are great around Thanksgiving, important flavors, but they are best used judiciously and with restraint. Parsley, though, is mostly a throwaway, an afterthought, served as a garnish on a diner special-of-the-day plate back in the 60s. Thankfully, 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme' goes easy on the Parsley and heavy on the Rosemary.
Lovely
Good songs, short.
Familiar with S&G’s more famous work, First time listening to this album, and really enjoyed it, brilliant folk album.
Then they did a more creative job but it's a great album
If the only track on this album had been 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle', it would still be worthy of this list. One of those rare songs that no matter how often I hear it, it never gets old. Still haunting and beautiful. 'Homeward Bound' still moves me too. The rest of the tracks showcase how ridiculously talented these two are as songwriters, singers, (and a guitar player in Paul's case), and performers. Great stuff.
One of the greatest duos of all time. Great heart-warming folk music with beautiful poetry. This album is a masterpiece, most of the songs were a lesson for me when I was studying playing the guitar. I give it 4 stars, just because "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the best S&G album.
Classic
not a S&G fan (only solo Paul) but i was surprised how much i liked this. 59th street bridge song is the best.
Ohhh, First song on this voyage: Scarborough Fair. I remember listening to this song as my friends cottage as a kid. It definitely has some sentimental value to it. I don't know if I would put it on if I didn't have that connection to it.
Baladas de S&G. Un 4.
Very mellow. It's easy to connect the dots from this album to modern folk.
Beautiful voices 👍
quase lá
Pretty good, and the 7pm News song is powerful.
Very good little album. Absolutely beautiful songwriting, instrumentation, and vocals. A few of the faster cuts felt too aggressive for the tone of the album, but they are still good as stand-alone songs. 8/10
They are by far the best harmonizers ever. Such great music. However, if there is one criticism... it's that they are too damn smart. I do not know what a simple desultory phillipic is
As much as I love "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and much of "Bookends", my knowledge of Simon and Garfunkel's music outside of that is limited to the Greatest Hits album, which I have played many times. Imagine my surprise when both "Homeward Bound" and "59th Bridge Street Song (Feeling Groovy)" came crashing in with uptempo drums and extra instrumentation. It removed the intimacy I'm used to from these songs and rushed them along a bit too much. Maybe it's just because I'm used to the acoustic-only versions, but it got me thinking about some of the other songs on the album and wondering if they'd have benefited from being more stripped back. Sometimes it felt they hadn't got the arrangements quite right, as they intruded on Simon's excellent songwriting and the duo's peerless harmonies. The overblown strings in "The Dangling Conversation" and the incessant bongos in "Patterns" are two examples: both sound much better in live versions or solo renditions by Simon. Sometimes, though, it's gorgeous and tastefully done: the harpsichord in "Scarborough Fair/Canticle", or the celesta in "Cloudy". There's a lot of beauty across the record for sure, but most of it comes from the duo themselves. The real thing that matters here is, of course, the actual songs. "Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall" is a lovely, breezy song and one of Simon's simplest, catchiest tunes. "A Simple Desultory Philippic" is a wryly amusing Dylan send-up and "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" is... exactly what it sounds like, but prettier. And yes, despite its arrangement here, "Homeward Bound" is still an absolute classic. It goes without saying that Garfunkel's vocals are sublime throughout, but the best showcase of them is the amazing "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her": he gives a tender, yearning performance that swells imperceptibly into overflowing emotion. Simon is an underrated guitar player too and accompanies each song beautifully (as two examples, listen to the fingerpicking in "Feeling Groovy" and the trills in "Cloudy"). It might not scale the heights of the duo's later work, but there's still a brilliant set of songs here.
Smooth & nice
Simon admits the drum track on Homeward Bound was a mistake. Check out any live performance with just him and a guitar and I suspect you’ll agree.
Exciting new sounds in the old folk tradition <3 8/10
Don't Garfunkle me bro!
Gentle, dreamy, folk. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would!
Let me start this review by saying that I forgot to mention in my previous [somewhat crass] review of S&G's Bookends, that the song "America" is absolutely their best. I love that song and it makes me tear up almost every time I hear it. So, I'll be adding a start to this record to bring their team average back up. Now, the "spices" record... It's cool. But it's so safe. It's cozy I guess. It's like sitar in 60s music. When we hear it now, it seems cliche, but at the time it was revolutionary. Likewise, the gentle delivery of quasi-social/political themes by folk singers wasn't always a predictable thing. And I think this record is much better if you listen with that understanding. Which is what I tried to do. There are elements on this record that feel medieval - most obviously the first track. I like that. And I like that it was picked up decades late by one of my favorite bands Fleet Foxes (not that there weren't other folk bands in the interim that did this as well). I should also say that I love the sweetness of the vocals. And, Paul Simon is such a great fingerstyle guitarist.
Bra blandning mellan lugn rock och folk. 4/5
Simon and Garfunkel are referents. Very good singers and his compositions are very fine. In this album is very interesting the first song and the fourth.
After listening to this, I can understand why people wanted Simon and Garfunkel to get back together. Bliss and serenity, who wouldn't want more of these dudes harmonizing?
Melhor música: Scarborough Fair/Canticle
Some absolutely gorgeous music on this album. The "hits" are all beautiful; Scarborough Fair, Homeward Bound and The 59th Street Bridge Song, but there are also some lesser known songs like Patterns and The Dangling Conversation and For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her. A beautiful album 4 🌟
so viele tolle nummern, homeward bound ist eins meiner fave lieder von ihnen. das stille nacht / news- mash up find ich weird.
My least favourite of the four main Simon and Garfunkel albums but still a great folk album regardless
1. Beautiful and ethereal opener. 2. much more funk to the second track. 3. countryish - lovely textures 4. more upbeat folk sound with beautiful breaks 5. rock with psych organ sound 6. more intimate and folksy again 7. sun kissed keys add a lot to this one 8. extremely sweet vocal harmonies and melodies 9. large swing, again more rocky 10. maybe the slowest song on here. love their finger picked acoustic work 11. more upbeat - but very much folksy and pretty. focused storytelling here and employs a speak sing type of delivery. 12. odd ending - piano led cover of silent night with social critique. It is pretty thought provoking, but feels at odds with the general tone of the album Overall a very beautiful and delicate album of folky pop. The guys have wonderful synergy with their vocal tone and always seem to pick the sweetest harmonies to use. The guitar playing in general is a standout too, with intricate finger picked playing. The few times S*G step outside of their genre comfort zone the quality dips - I'm mostly impressed by the folk. I will relisten to dig into the lyrical content
This is a great album. Excellent lyrics and unbelievable instrumental work. I`m very happy to discover more songs from Simon & Garfunkel.
Scarborough fair is pure folk beauty. End to end folk bangers.
Short but very sweet. Homeward Bound is probably my favourite S&G song, which immediately earns the album a few stars. The rest of the album is a good mix of softly sung folk and more upbeat tracks to boogie along to. An easy 4 stars
The third Simon & Garfunkel album we got. I rated the other two as 5's but found this one a little weaker in comparison. It's still soothing, the arrangements are still wonderful, the lyrics still poetry. But the overall quality just seemed a bit lower to me compared to Bridge Over Troubled Water and Bookends. Some of the standout tracks such as the fantastic Scarborough Fair or For Emily were clear 5-star songs to me and the album as a whole is still a very good 4.5. But I'm rounding it down because it's not quite as good as the other two albums.
Plena època hippie i aquests dos treuen un dels discos més representatius del moviment. Enclaustrat entre l'himne atemporal de 'Sound of Silence' i els discos icònics 'Bookends' i 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters', de vegades no se li presta l'atenció deguda. I se la mereix. De tant sentir-les, cançons com 'Scarborough Fair' o 'Homeward Bound' semblen ja part de la memòria colectiva... però aquí és on van nèixer... i per darrera, temes de molt bona factura com 'Emeily Whenever I May Find Her', 'Cloudy ' 'Fellin' Groovy'
Pretty good, I'm not always a fan of some bloke with an acoustic guitar, but they managed to do a good enough job top get past the barrier
1966. Scarborough Fair / Canticle, Homeward Bound, Patterns
nice combination of poetic lyrics, great vocal harmonies and a good instrumental backup
There's a lot to enjoy on this album if you allow yourself. Favourite tracks are "Homeward bound", "Feeling groovy", "Patterns" and "A simple desultory". A really good album.
Gentle and enjoyable
Great album, very easy going and mellow vibe
Feeling groovy feeling herbal! I'm fond of Homeward Bound, it always popped in my head when passing Widnes train station, not that I ever stopped off in Widnes, perish the thought! *shudder*
Solid stuff
Some of these songs sound dated (in good and bad ways). Some seem oddly prescient.
I enjoyed this more than I expected. I knew the more famous songs but the other ones surprised me by their melody and composition. 7 O'clock news is particularly poignant.
Like all albs, this album is of its time. Very enjoyable and gives a nostalgic feeling for my childhood.
I like "Homeward Bound" the best. 7 o'clock News was a little heart-wrenching.
buttery smooth
Delicate, twee maybe, but some great songwriting, and unique delivery
Near perfect. 7 o'clock/Silent Night is heartbreakingly pretty.
I somehow never realized that “Scarborough Fair” was a traditional English folk song. I guess it seemed like it fit in Simon & Garfunkel’s wheelhouse so well. But instead it’s music that has endured for 400+ years, changing and evolving along the way but with modern artists still performing it. Makes me wonder what will become of today’s music 400 years in the future. Will it be preserved? Still performed? Will the bones of today’s songs be manipulated and changed into something different? The 1001 features things from the modern era that must be listened to in order to understand popular music in the 20th and 21st centuries. And that occasionally included a few traditional works from 100 years ago, or 400 years ago. It also included covers and reinterpretations of the Great American Songbook and classic blues and rock songs that many different artists performed. There’s less of that today. Less traditional music being performed by modern stars, less songbook hits covered and interpreted by many artists. You get occasional covers, but they are much rarer than in the mid 1900s. Today there is more music than ever before, and it's more accessible than ever before. But will it last? Will it stand the test of time? Or will the abundance lead to nearly all of it being quickly forgotten? What will exist from the 1001 in any form in the year 2500? Maybe one of Simon & Garfunkel’s original songs, several of which have permeated into the cultural subconscious, will be the “Scarborough Fair” of the far future? But I think it’s more likely than in the age of preserving everything, somehow nothing really survives.
I realized that A) I have this album on tape that a friend in high school made for me but I had no idea the tape he made was a straight album; and B) he must have run out of room on that one side because I have never heard the last 3 tracks before.
Great classic songwriting.
Très bon album, c'est du S&G, on s'attend pas à autre chose
Top beetje uptempo album van Simon en Garfunkel, vooral het nummer homeward bound spreekt me aan
One of the albums I grew up with, so it's difficult to rate 'objectively' - but I still think it holds up really well as a folk album.
Great writing, great songs. Really of all of Paul Simon's hits, PSR&T is prolly my least favorite.
I enjoyed it, was a foot tapper to me, some great songs i knew some I didn't.
Folksy, nostalgic, great album! 4.4/5
When Garfunkel still had the voice of an angel, and Simon's genius was on ready display. This is a fine record, and one I had never listened to (before today) from beginning to end.
Despite being iconic, it's kinda renfaire for my taste. Songwriting is strong but the vocal harmonies don't always sound good to me. Much like Wu-Tang, I would have to be in a specific mood to really want to listen to this, except it's probably the direct opposite mood. 8
Good stuff
Pop consistente, voz e violão marcantes pela simplicidade, e apresenta hits.
I know a bit of S&G, but was pleasantly surprised by complex harmonies. More than enough to forgive the missing Oxford comma.
Didn't expect to be quite so into this, but it's great.
Good stuff. Hard to go wrong with these guys.
pretty great
Excellent album, Dylan ? Essex bound .
Doesn't have any of the greatest hits, but it's still a great album.
This is actually so insanely good. This album has it all. I would give it 4.5/5 if possible.
A great folk rock album that says a lot in a very little amount of time.
Classic
4 for nostalgia
Simon is an incredible songwriter. Maybe Garfunkel is, too! I don't have a good way to judge that. But beyond a classic like Homeward Bound, did you hear how he totally sold the dorkiness of 'Feelin' Groovy'??? This isn't my favorite Simon stuff, but it's pretty dang good.
a bit too soft rock-ish for me. Better after a couple of listens. A bit eclectic. Homeward Bound is known to me.
A good album with some really solid tracks
Great chill singer songwriter vibes. A classic by all accounts. Awesome for a chill morning jam.
Simon & Garfunkel's first masterpiece, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme was also the first album on which the duo, in tandem with engineer Roy Halee, exerted total control from beginning to end, right down to the mixing, and it is an achievement akin to the Beatles' Revolver or the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album, and just as personal and pointed as either of those records at their respective bests.
Absolutely gorgeous, so easy to get lost in. Great lyrics as well.
A classic.
A stunning album in the most part, some of the tracks are songwriting perfection. Just beautiful. Would have went to 5 if it wasn’t for a bit of a lull and a couple of tracks that I found irritating.
Like the Bob Dylan inspired track
I love this album. It's such an easy thing to listen to.
Another favorite of my parents. S&G music is so soothing and pretty with the harmonies, almost meditative.
So good. So so good. I had heard almost every song as "singles", but in the context of an album, it makes it so much better!
Fantastic harmonies and wonderful songs
Well recorded and produced collection of songs, short songs at that! First time I’ve listened to this album and enjoyed it very much, just a bit short..! The musicianship and vocal performance in particular is excellent.
Between church and peace
Love this album! Heavenly voices
So good. Some of the best road trip music of all time. Chillest of the chill.
This has a more upbeat sound compared to Bridge Over Troubled Water. Different but good.
Hot take: this is easily the best of the 19 Paul Simon related albums on this list. For real though, with the exception of that pleasure machine song that sounds like The Monkees and the super depressing final track, I was kind of bowled over by how well this continues to hold up, especially for an album named after a spice rack.
Fand ich stark 4
Dudeldididai, bissi geweint, aber bin alles in allem zufrieden.
Die zwei härtesten Schwänze im Singer-Songrwriter Fickstall sind nach über 50 Jahren immernoch pulsierend und standhaft im Ohrenkanal! Schöne Melodien spritzen in geöffnete Mäuler und stopfen gierige Löcher. NIMM MICH DU GEILER GITARRENBOCK!!!! Knackiges Album, macht spaß, manchmal auch traurig. Weirder flex beim letztem Lied mit Anti-War/Weihnachtscrossover, I get it. Aber musikalisch keine Schönheit. 4*, war enttäuscht, dass es nur so kurz war (that's what she said)
Impactful storytelling mixed with delightful guitar. Wonderful album
It was nice! Short and sweet. Almost Lord of the Ringsish.
Iconic album.
Mellow
Pastoral and academic, but not inaccessible.
This would be 4.5 if we could do those. Know so many of these songs but didn’t know their titles.
1st song favorite. Sounds like something Taylor’s mom used to jam to for sure, but overall 70s vibe.
Some classics
Sweet.
How could you not love this album? One of the best ever.
2 good
Lovely
My favourite rendition of Scarborough Fair. The others in the album are decent.
Classic album
Great album filled with soothing folk rock songs and amazing vocal harmonies
A Simple Desultory Philippic är en 5+ sarkastisk sågning av Bob Dylan.
Favourite Songs: The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine
Not bad, not great either. not exactly the genre of music i listen to but it is nice. Some songs i will listen again definetly.
Every time I listen to Simon & Garfunkel all I can think about is the Horrible Histories Vikings. For folk, this is pretty good. Silent night was weird
Lots of great songs on this one! Unfortunately just as many that don’t do much for me. It is painful but true to say their whole discography is essential, but each album on its own can feel a bit lackluster…Simon & Garfunkel are weird like that. A 3.5, basically.
Not a bad album. A bit jangly but enjoyable in the right setting - quiet Sunday, focus time etc
I've not taken the time to really give Simon & Garfunkel a thorough listen, though I do have the Central Park album on vinyl and had taken it for a few spins. While this one has several of their most recognizable hits, I come away feeling like it could use a bit of it's title, because it's just kinda... bland. There's solid poetry and lyrics, the delivery is catchy in places, and the melodies are smooth, as it feels like music that is trying to lull you to sleep, so I appreciate it for what it is, but also not ready for bed in the middle of the day. It's still a 3/5, but I'll stick to my Central Park live version over this.
Definitely creative and thoughtful songwriting here. Art's voice is lovely and sadly some of the themes from this album are still relevant today.
I have heard this album before. Very relaxing and always makes me think of Christmas for some reason. Could be the silent night inclusion.
me gustó, es una música melódica, bastante alegre y los temas son relacionados con la naturaleza, los estilos de vida de las personas y más.
Very good. Contains the emblematic "Scarborough Fair/Canticle". The last song was also very touching politically (7 O'clock News/Silent Night).
So this was my last Simon & Garfunkel on the generator. Like the others it was pretty good; some songs I liked and others I probably wouldn't listen to again.
I liked it more than I expected
Really nice. Contains some really beautiful pieces with lovely folky arrangements and s&g doing their early years beautiful harmony thing. I find it a little bit weird that a few of the songs feel so much like early Dylan and then they have a pretty weird tune mocking Dylan. That breaks the flow a bit for me and in general, I don't think this flows as well as the later records.
I wanted to like this more than I did.
Homeward bound is a great song. Although there are other good songs, the overall album was just “meh” for me.
Scarborough Fair is one of my favourite tracks. Loved the Queensryche cover, love this version. A great way to start the album off. One thing that surprises me about this album is its length. 12 songs in under 30 minutes. Simon & Garfunkel certainly pack a lot into their 2-3 minute track times! Overall the album is ok, but far from my favourite of theirs.
A bit too folky for my tastes and the Bob Dylan parody does little for me. A few classics at least.
Just not a sound I’m compatible with. Such a shame.