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Track Listings
| 1. Mrs. Robinson |
| 2. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her |
| 3. The Boxer |
| 4. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) |
| 5. The Sound Of Silence |
| 6. I Am A Rock |
| 7. Scarborough Fair/Canticle |
| 8. Homeward Bound |
| 9. Bridge Over Troubled Water |
| 10. America |
| 11. Kathy's Song |
| 12. El Condor Pasa (If I Could) |
| 13. Bookends |
| 14. Cecilia |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Simon & Garfunkel have two 3-CD box sets collecting their entire career output, one with out-takes and live recordings, but the duo who were among the bestselling acts of the 1960s only recorded five studio albums throughout the entire 1960s! Their studio perfectionism is never better served than here. This greatest hits is simple and to the point, a perfect collection for anyone looking to get the basic idea (and hits) without committing to a more serious relationship. The harmonies, Paul Simon's masterful songwriting, Garfunkel's soaring choirboy voice, are all here. --Rob O'Connor
Product Description
Audio CD.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
72 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
More than once I have panned re-issues of albums on CD that added nothing to the original. My usual reason is that a CD can hold 80 minutes of music and a vinyl album typically had 38 to 48 minutes of music. My criticism increases with a "greatest" or "best of" collection because there are almost always more songs that could or should have been added. My criticism of content should extend to this album as well, but this album embodies Simon and Garfunkel's peak popularity and its value is as much historical and contextual as commercial. Yes, I purchased this album in spite of the numerous collections of varying sizes, including a comprehensive collection of all of Simon and Garfunkel's works. I am unable to explain why this album works for me, but I suspect it is because I grew up in the 60s and 70s.
This collection is just a bit too brief, but what magnificent songs.
"Mrs. Robinson," "The Sound of Silence" and "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" are musical poetry. All three songs are part of the soundtrack to the 1967 movie "The Graduate." "The Sound of Silence" in particularly is one of the greatest songs of the rock era. The latter two songs are great melancholy songs for a rainy day.
There are also live songs on this album. The gorgeous song "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" is one of those songs. Though the clapping at the end is a bit loud, the song itself is one of the best versions available. Art Garfunkel shows in this song why his pairing with Paul Simon was so incredible. Another live song is "The 59th Street Bridge Song," which most know as "Feelin' Groovy." This song is a marvelous little ditty that shows the playful side of the duo. The clapping fits better here and lets you imagine the duo playing on a New York City street in the springtime.
"The Boxer" is a story song that is one of the best story songs of any era. Part folk, part rock, and all art, this song combines catchy and dramatic music with catchy lyrics and a poignant story that is simultaneously haunting and enjoyable. Another poignant song that fits well with "The Boxer" is "I Am a Rock." Both songs seem to offer introspective views of life and remind us all that we are responsible for ourselves.
"Homeward Bound" is a live song. This harmonious folk song is a wonderful addition to this CD. This song would be perfect for a movie soundtrack. This song rolls into another live song, the phenomenal "Bridge Over Troubled Water," where Art Garfunkel gets to show his vocal range. I do not know where this song was recorded, but the acoustics of the song itself are wonderful and highlight the power of the song and contrast between the soft opening and powerful ending.
"America" is another song that makes effective use of powerful vocals and music. This song is a celebration of country and seeking oneself as well as seeking who we are as a nation. The story in the song is deeper than the words suggest. This song is one of Simon and Garfunkel's greats.
"Kathy's Song" is a friendly little live song. This song is pretty, but is less dramatic and artistic than many of the other songs on this CD. This song contained elements that foreshadowed the future of Paul Simon's music.
The following song is yet another incredible song. "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" contains incredible music and vocals and is yet another of Simon and Garfunkel's greatest songs. The haunting panpipe used in this song makes it one of the most memorable songs in the duo's portfolio.
"Bookends" is a lovely little song that provides a significant contrast with the percussion driven ending of this CD, "Cecilia." "Cecilia" is the most enthusiastic song on this CD. The close out of this album, from "El Condor Pasa" to "Bookends" and ending with "Cecilia" was a brilliant way to close out the album. Rather than feeling melancholy, as the previous songs would have done, you leave feeling good and wanting to do it all over again.
There are many other collections of the works of Simon and Garfunkel, which often includes some of their solo works. However, at the time this album was released, this collection was the collection to have. I still listen to this collection a lot, even with everything else that is available. I suspect I always will. Enjoy!
This collection is just a bit too brief, but what magnificent songs.
"Mrs. Robinson," "The Sound of Silence" and "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" are musical poetry. All three songs are part of the soundtrack to the 1967 movie "The Graduate." "The Sound of Silence" in particularly is one of the greatest songs of the rock era. The latter two songs are great melancholy songs for a rainy day.
There are also live songs on this album. The gorgeous song "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" is one of those songs. Though the clapping at the end is a bit loud, the song itself is one of the best versions available. Art Garfunkel shows in this song why his pairing with Paul Simon was so incredible. Another live song is "The 59th Street Bridge Song," which most know as "Feelin' Groovy." This song is a marvelous little ditty that shows the playful side of the duo. The clapping fits better here and lets you imagine the duo playing on a New York City street in the springtime.
"The Boxer" is a story song that is one of the best story songs of any era. Part folk, part rock, and all art, this song combines catchy and dramatic music with catchy lyrics and a poignant story that is simultaneously haunting and enjoyable. Another poignant song that fits well with "The Boxer" is "I Am a Rock." Both songs seem to offer introspective views of life and remind us all that we are responsible for ourselves.
"Homeward Bound" is a live song. This harmonious folk song is a wonderful addition to this CD. This song would be perfect for a movie soundtrack. This song rolls into another live song, the phenomenal "Bridge Over Troubled Water," where Art Garfunkel gets to show his vocal range. I do not know where this song was recorded, but the acoustics of the song itself are wonderful and highlight the power of the song and contrast between the soft opening and powerful ending.
"America" is another song that makes effective use of powerful vocals and music. This song is a celebration of country and seeking oneself as well as seeking who we are as a nation. The story in the song is deeper than the words suggest. This song is one of Simon and Garfunkel's greats.
"Kathy's Song" is a friendly little live song. This song is pretty, but is less dramatic and artistic than many of the other songs on this CD. This song contained elements that foreshadowed the future of Paul Simon's music.
The following song is yet another incredible song. "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" contains incredible music and vocals and is yet another of Simon and Garfunkel's greatest songs. The haunting panpipe used in this song makes it one of the most memorable songs in the duo's portfolio.
"Bookends" is a lovely little song that provides a significant contrast with the percussion driven ending of this CD, "Cecilia." "Cecilia" is the most enthusiastic song on this CD. The close out of this album, from "El Condor Pasa" to "Bookends" and ending with "Cecilia" was a brilliant way to close out the album. Rather than feeling melancholy, as the previous songs would have done, you leave feeling good and wanting to do it all over again.
There are many other collections of the works of Simon and Garfunkel, which often includes some of their solo works. However, at the time this album was released, this collection was the collection to have. I still listen to this collection a lot, even with everything else that is available. I suspect I always will. Enjoy!
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
ok a lot of people seem to be paranoid about the live versions of songs on this disc. as far as i can tell, only four of the songs are live ("the 59th street bridge song (feelin' groovy)", "for emily, whenever i may find her", "homeward bound", and "kathy's song"). the confusion is probably due to the fact that the applause at the end of the live versions fades into the next song. but all of the biggest hits ("sounds of silence", "bridge over troubled water", "the boxer", etc.) are in their original versions. and in my opinion the live version of "for emily" is the best recording of that song. so if you are an s&g fan who wants all of the biggest hits on one cd, you can't do any better than this. and don't be scared off by the reviewers that can't tell the original versions when they hear them.
48 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
The songs on this album truly represent the best of Simon and Garfunkel. Unfortunately, someone decided it would be a good idea to insert "live" versions of some of the songs. Most of these live versions are inferior to the original studio recordings, not to mention that it does not mention anywhere on the album jakcet which cuts are live, or even that ANY of them are live. This alone makes this one of the worst Greatest hits albums ever eleased, which is tragic, considering the enormous talent of S&G. You'd think that with such an influential force in 60's pop music, Columbia would have had no trouble coming up with a QUALITY greatest hits package. It isn't like they had any shortage of good material...
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice Addition
This was a nice addition to my music collection. I've always enjoyed this music and now have it whenever I like.
Published 8 days ago by S. Lawrence
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Album
I really enjoy listening to this album because the music is just as I remembered it. Easy to download and play.
Published 9 days ago by hooping
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed listening to this CD again
I had this CD several years ago, someone borrowed it and didn't return it. I really enjoyed listening to this again. It was great!
Published 10 days ago by J. M. Wymer
5.0 out of 5 stars
This was a great CD
My brother had this when he was going to war and I feel in love with it so I listened to it everyday until he returned. Now I got one of my own. It is just a great CD. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Girl from a College town
4.0 out of 5 stars
Simon and Garfunkel
A tad disappointed didn't realise some songs were live . But I must say I enjoyed most of this CD .
Published 13 days ago by ribbo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still my favorite S&G
This collection feels more lively than other S&G collections - more pop hits, less literary pretension. Read more
Published 14 days ago by John R. Burger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great songs
Simon & Garfunkel wer always one of my favorites and this album does not disappoint. I love to sing along with them.
Published 16 days ago by Ina Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
simon and garfunkel ahhhhh the cd
I have been listening to this tape for ever and it just couldnt take it any more, Im from the old school and have a sound system that reflects that. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Carma Lynn Archer
5.0 out of 5 stars
S&G
This is a wonderful CD packed with their famous songs. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Simon and Garfunkel, and who doesn't
Published 26 days ago by Martha Masters
5.0 out of 5 stars
still great decades later
a real trip down memory lane-this was one of the most influential groups of the 60's and 70's and their music still conveys a message
Published 27 days ago by B. Carney
Listmania!
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