Customer Reviews

Parsley Sage Rosemary & Thyme

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was given this album my first Christmas out of undergraduate school in 1969 by a very special friend, and literally wore the album out before replacing it a few years later. Finally I went to the CD format in the 80s and still love listening to this treasure trove of wonderfully written, masterfully arranged, and brilliantly executed songs by two of the best folk singers to come out of the fabled sixties. Everything here is original, and is produced with a simple and straightforward artistic style that belies its genius. This duo has a way of evoking an atmosphere with a timeless quality in their songs, and that is especially true here with "Scarborough Fair/Canticle", "The 59th Street Bridge Song", and "The Dangling Conversation". Paul Simon writes with a singular sensivity and poignancy here about the alienation and futility of much of contemporary urban life, and in such breath-taking efforts as "7 O'clock News/Silent Night", this is evoked with such beauty and artfulness that one is simply moved by the genius involved here. Quite simply put, this is one of the best albums ever produced, and one that is essential for anyone calling himself a folkie. I highly recommend it, and know that for anyone who is experiencing it for the first time, a special pleasure awaits you. Enjoy!

This album is magnificant. Many people may say it's "pretentious" or "outdated", but the fact is, it's damn good tunes. I don't think there will be another band quite like S&G. They mixed harmony, melody, and powerfull lyrics to produce some of the all time greatest albums and songs ever. In particular, on PSRT, "The Dangling Conversation", and "Patterns" began to show Paul Simon's outstanding writing ability. He would go on to write many songs using the same type of atmosphere as "Patterns", such as "Duncan" on Simon's first solo effort.

This is an album you can pop in, sit back, and dream to. Every song paints a remarkable picture that was never duplicated by any other band, not even S&G themselves. For all it's critics, I say, forget about the "Psychoanalytical" aspects of this album, and just listen. Just listen to the music. I know that you will view it in the same manner as I do, perfect.

BUY THIS ALBUM AT ALL COSTS, and then go out and by some Simon albums (I recomend "Hearts and Bones"), and The White album, cause those are the only albums that can stand up to PSRT.

This collection is another gem in the cannon of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. The vocal harmonies are at an all time high. Everyone loves the title track and the 59th Street Bridge Song but Flowers Never Bend In The Rainfall and Cloudy are hidden gems. Heck almost every song has a beautiful melody. The Poem On The Underground Wall is a possible exception but the lyrics are somewhat captivating. And the Seven O Clock News/Silent Night rings so true with the violence and controvesy of the sixties. With some of the recent issues in the Middle East, it echoes to our troubles today.

Anyway, this music has heart, soul, and feeling with a gentle acoustic flair. The second one to get after Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

I have all of the records released by Simon and Garfunkel. This particular one has to be my second favorite. The opening piece is truly amazing. The way they mixed two songs together is genious. Every track on this record is awsome, I like all of them. If you're looking to get into Simon and Garfunkel then you should definetly start with this one or Bridge Over Troubled Water. If you're a music lover definetly buy this CD. You'll regret it if you don't.

Lyrical Magnificence

Paul Simon is one of the greatest lyricists of the last fifty years, in any musical genre. His words are sheer poetry and this art is exemplified on this magnificent album. Some people curiously dismiss Simon and Garfunkle as "passe" or "dated," but they obviously haven't listened to this record.

What's interesting is that the hit songs from this disc (Scarborough Fair, Feelin' Groovy and Homeward Bound) are not as good as some of the sleepers. Listen to the simple poetic beauty of "Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall" and "The Dangling Conversation." Another incredibly catchy tune is "Cloudy," which never got any airplay but which is classy as any song Simon ever wrote.

Paul Simon is unmatched as a lyricist, nothing Dylan or Lennon and McCartney (not even "Eleanor Rigby") can compete with the poetic majesty of this man. Listen to this record and find out for yourself or confirm what you already knew. A magnificent album!

When I first listened to this album, I was at a difficult period in my life, hating my home situation and everything around me. At the time it was common for me to sit down and write poetry to get through things. I remember when I first started listening to this album I was amazed by its lyrics and absolutely beautiful song writing. I had never heard anything by Simon and Garfunkel before this, but began exploring their music more and more after listening to this album. Each song, in itself was a jewel to discover; excluding "Simple Desultory Phillippic" and "Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine" which are still fun. The two songs that made the biggest impact on me in terms of writing poetry were "Dangling Conversation" and "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her". These two songs changed my life at the time and will always have a place in my heart. However, almost every song on this album is great to listen to and relax with. So whether you can personally relate with this album or Simon and Garfunkel in general, give this album a lsiten. After that, I suggest listening to "Sounds of Silence" and "Bookends" as well as their other material as a group.

Simon and Garfunkel are a one of a kind band. They have great lyrics with an interesting sound that really plays back and forth on the border between acoustic and electric sounds. In many ways this album was intended to try and capture the same commercial appeal that was generated by Sounds of Silence, but it doesn't matter because in some ways it is actually a superior album.

I bought this album because I've loved Simon and Garfunkel for years and though I've never owned this particular album I've heard all these songs before and they are truly great songs. It all starts with "Scarborough Fair" which is a classic folk and sing a long song, and S&G present a great version of it here. Then we get into some of the most memorable songs like "Homeward Bound" which truly shows off S&G's ability to combine storytelling with great sounds.

And no matter how many people laugh it off as juvenile, I still love the sound of "Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine" Then there is the "59th Street Bridge Song" which many people know as "Feeling Groovy" another song that I just catch myself humming along to every now and then. "Dangling Conversation" though not quite as memorable hits me with that "I totally forgot this was on here" everytime I here it.

"For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her" is simply dripping with emotion. "Seven O'Clock News/Silent Night" is easily one of the most emotional and well put together songs I have ever heard. It is a great counter balance of a lovely classical christmas tune and references to terrible things happening all around us. It still has a mysterious effect on me that almost makes me cry every time I hear it.

If you enjoy singing along to great songs then this is a great album to own. If you enjoy listening to great folk music then this is a great album to own. If you want a window on the sixties then this is a great album to own. I highly recommend this album to everyone.

While songs like "A Simple Desultory Philippic" and "The 7 O'clock News" are dated (though the latter is sufficiently chilling so that I don't like to listen to it often), this album contains superb songs and productions. Underrated classics like "The Dangling Conversation" and "Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall" blend with some standard S&G greats for a poetic, moody, excellent experience. I miss this sort of sophistication in music now.

The Silent Night/7 o'clock News is perhaps one of the most poweful pieces I have ever heard.

Art Garfunkel was able to bring out the best in Paul Simon. He is missed in the music world.

Some of the songs are very tied to the sixties, but at its best it's too beautiful for words. I'm a sucker for "Scarborough Fair/Canticle," which, like Dylan's "Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," overlays an antiwar message on a Child ballad (but far more subtly), and "For Emily Whenever I May Find Her." And how can anyone who has been outdoors in the spring under sprays of cirrus clouds not like "Cloudy"?

As for pretension...come on, folks, you wouldn't say that Harriet Beecher Stowe favored slavery because Simon Legree was a slaveholder, would you? "Dangling Conversation" makes fun of pretentious, angst-ridden humanities majors, getting so totally over the top with the timpani riffs punctuating "Yes, we speak of things that matter/With words that must be said/Can analysis be worthwhile?/Is the theater really dead?" that it's hard to see how Simon could have sung with his tongue stuck that far in his cheek. He may have counted himself among his targets, but we can chuckle along with him.