Simon and Garfunkel were a rare duo that left an indelible impression on us when they first hit the music scene in the sixties. In 1966 Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme came out the Columbia label and it was a marvel considering that it was two men and primarily acoustic guitars. The beauty of this release is its simplicity, and the pure poetry set to music that was bouncing all over the airwaves of the day. It somehow found a way in the final mix down to become a stunning stroke of perfection.
This recording is a true masterpiece of pop culture, it remains a wonder to this day, and I can understand why Audio Fidelity decided to re-master it to give it a new life and bring out the true brilliance.
Who can forget “Scarborough Fair / Canticle” and the endless car ride that was “Homeward Bound” with all the hope that it held in its words? “Patterns” was prolific poetic justice with its thought provoking “modern day” lyricism. To be honest the only track that was indicative of the time was “A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)” with the funky 60s style organ as a backdrop that you always heard on TV programs. The one track that still gives me chills and fills me with emotion is “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her”. Art Garfunkel sounds like an angel in that song and it’s all I can do from bursting at the seams. Although it is a short track, does hold me in its spell. As I recall Bridge Over Troubled Water, another 5 star masterpiece, was one of the first LPs I ever bought and now I wish I had discovered this album back then even though I was just a wee lad at the time. “7 O'Clock News / Silent Night” sounds appropriate in these times with its paradoxical effect with two worlds colliding all at once and it will probably always sound like it fits well no matter what time we are living in.
The impact of this album hits home more than ever now because of Audio Fidelity’s efforts to bring the music from your speakers straight to your heart and once again the mission is accomplished. If music and sound like this does not touch your soul in some amazing way, you had better get your hearing checked.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
March 11, 2010
