Customer Reviews

Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I like this CD mostly because it's a good intro to S&G, and if you're not too into them, I think you might be inspired to get other albums of theirs. That said, I hardly count some of these as "Greatest Hits." Yes, there's Sound of Silence (the best song ever--but not the best recording), Mrs. Robinson, The Boxer (get the live in Central Park album for a couple of cool verses not included in this track), Scarborough Fair/Canticle, Homeward Bound (a horrible recording--the one on Parsley Sage, Rosemary and Thyme is million times better), El Condor Pasa, and Cecilia, but there's also For Emily..., The 59th Street Bridge Song, Kathy's Song, and Bookends, hardly primo stuff.

Okay--some very good songs, some not so good songs. Yeah, it's worth the money, just to get yourself acquainted, but you can find better recordings of the good songs, and plenty of other songs that *should* have been included among the "Greatest Hits" like Kodachrome/Maybellene, Patterns, Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall, and American Tune.

Better buy if you want the full monty of S&G--try the Old Friends compilation (which I've never heard because I already own all of their albums).

For individual albums, try "Parsley Sage , Rosemary and Thyme," "The Concert in Central Park" (the sound quality isn't top notch, but a great and extensive selection of songs with a really punchy beat not found in a lot of studio recordings), and "Wednesday Morning, 3 a.m."

On this compilation,Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel give their fans their very best,of course. It was released in 1972,the same year as Simon's self-titled solo debut. MRS. ROBINSON from the 1967 movie "The Graduate",was just one of a handful of their #1 hits. THE BOXER from 1969's BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER lacks a verse later heard,surprisingly on THE CONCERT IN CENTRAL PARK. The title track from BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER is cool. THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE is not the original recording from WEDNESDAY MORNING 3 AM,S&G's 1964 debut. This version has added percussion,as heard on the 1966 album,SOUNDS OF SILENCE. SCARBOROUGH FAIR is a nice,easy listening piece. HOMEWARD BOUND and FOR EMILY,WHEREVER I MAY FIND HER were recorded live. Also from SOUNDS OF SILENCE is I AM A ROCK. AMERICA is a nice piece. I wonder if that inspired the three-guitarist band of the same name. All the other songs are good. Most songs on this album were recorded for THE CONCERT IN CENTRAL PARK in 1981. S&G split before the release of this album and Garfunkel also went out on his own.

What¡Çs not to like? Simon and Garfunkel created many wonderful songs and their greatest hits (which is not necessarily synonymous with ¡Æbest songs¡Ç) are presented here. You¡Çve heard them all a thousand times before probably, but if you love them and consider them a part of your life, you can¡Çt go wrong with this purchase.

Very much disappointed with this CD. Not the original versions, as first recorded.
That is all I have to say.

I have been listening to Simon and Garfunkel for 35 years. Since I was a child, I have respected their melodies and the gentleness and humanity that flows through their songs.

"Homeward Bound" and "Sounds of Silence" are truly originals.

I know I will have a life long love for these very special artists!

MUST HAVE!! Why can't we get back to music like that?

Ahh, the sixties and the seventies when having a good voice was still considered important! These two blend their voices and their musical talents in this essential album. This CD actually does have the best of their music. I love the symphonic version of Bridge Over Troubled Water. The only one that makes me cringe a bit is 'Feeling Groovy'. It was a term of that time period, and I shouldn't feel embarrassed by it. That song is a sweet, short, and very positive song...I still listen to it.

I have nothing against any type of music. It just seems as I get older, there are less and less good singers, and good lyricists. Nothing stays for long. It's sad that many of us go back to classic rock, and my kids even do (especially my son who is in radio). There are a few very good singers among the women like Beyonce' and Sarah MacClahan (hope I spelled that right). But the guys? Nothing to write home about.

When musicians have to depend upon risque tactics as pulled by BOTH Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson (who I use to like...NO MORE) rather than just show their singing abilities and talents, then something is wrong in the music industry. The obssession with death and sex...we thought the 60's was 'happening'. I remember my dad being bugged by rock music and so I watch myself, and try not to judge.

But I go out and buy this type of music (and I just bought another one). Music that you can sing or hum to, music that has something to say, music that I don't need to turn off when my 5 year granddaughter gets in the car. And she sings to it too. I saw someplace that Simon and Garfunkel might get together again. That would be a concert I'd love to go to...

Karen Sadler

"Greatest Hits" lived up to that greatest label, especially the concert version of "Bridge over Troubled Water"

This is a GREAT CD full of familiar haunting tunes from this duo. Excellent

Saw the Old Friends concert in Las Vegas November 8, 2003...
INCREDIBLE!! A great experience, a treat. You must not miss it,,,,then get this album to relive the concert...close your
eyes and hum away....