#3 of 25
· Cratewise Editorial
“'The Sound of Silence,' 'Mrs. Robinson,' 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' 'The Boxer.' Under $10 used, all day. Every thrift store in the country has this.”
Simon & Garfunkel, the folk-rock duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, emerged from New York in the early 1960s as Tom & Jerry before reforming under their now-iconic name in 1964. Their breakthrough came with the 1966 album 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,' but they achieved massive commercial and critical success with 'The Sound of Silence' (1966) and especially 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' (1970), which became one of the best-selling albums of all time. The duo's sophisticated arrangements, poetic lyrics, and Garfunkel's distinctive tenor vocals defined the sound of late-1960s popular music. Though they disbanded in 1970, their reunion concerts and subsequent tours cemented their legacy as one of the most influential folk-rock acts of their era.
Style
Simon & Garfunkel pioneered intelligent folk-rock with carefully crafted harmonies, acoustic guitars, and orchestral arrangements. Their sound blended contemporary songwriting with lush production and introspective lyrics exploring themes of alienation, love, and social commentary.
Significance
The duo's albums are cornerstone releases in vinyl collecting, particularly 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and 'The Sound of Silence,' valued for their pristine production quality and historical importance in 1960s-70s popular music. Their records exemplify the era when pop music achieved both commercial success and artistic depth, making them essential to any serious collector's library.
Simon & Garfunkel's 'Greatest Hits' was released in 1972, compiled from their recordings between 1964 and 1970. Rather than a studio album, it served as a retrospective of their most successful work as a duo, including classics like 'The Sound of Silence,' 'Mrs. Robinson,' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.' The album was assembled during a period when the duo had already disbanded in 1970, though they reunited briefly for the legendary 1981 Central Park Concert. The compilation captures their evolution from folk-rock pioneers to sophisticated pop artists, showcasing Paul Simon's songwriting prowess and the distinctive vocal harmonies that defined their partnership.
Historical Context
Released in November 1972, 'Greatest Hits' arrived as the duo's relationship had dissolved but their cultural impact remained enormous. The early 1970s saw growing interest in greatest hits compilations as the album format matured, and this collection capitalized on nostalgia for the 1960s folk-rock boom. The album became tremendously successful commercially, reaching #5 on the Billboard 200 and becoming a staple in record collections. It introduced their work to new audiences while cementing their legacy during a period when both pursued solo careers. Their influence on 1970s pop and rock music remained undeniable despite their separation.
Pressing Notes
The original 1972 Columbia Records pressing is highly sought by collectors. Early US pressings featured the distinctive Columbia 360-degree sound label and came in gatefold packaging with printed inner sleeves. The album has been reissued multiple times across various formats and pressings—remastered editions and Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab audiophile pressings are particularly prized by serious collectors. Vinyl quality can vary significantly between pressings; original 1970s Columbia pressings tend to offer superior sound quality compared to later reissues. Collectors should examine condition carefully, as these records were popular gifts and often well-played. Both mono and stereo versions exist, with stereo being more common.
Graceland
Paul Simon
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Sweetheart of the Rodeo
The Byrds
A landmark folk-rock album with intricate vocal harmonies and acoustic instrumentation that shares the polished, melodic approach of Simon & Garfunkel.
Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
A warm, introspective folk album with fingerpicked guitars and intimate vocal delivery that captures the same gentle melodic sensibility and lyrical depth.
Blue
Joni Mitchell
An emotionally rich folk-pop classic featuring complex chord progressions, poetic lyrics, and delicate instrumentation that appeals to collectors of sophisticated songwriting.
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