The Essential Simon & Garfunkel [UK]

Barnes & Noble

They had the sound and they had the songs -- and the combination made them legends. The team of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel perfected a trademark approach that mated the duo's matchless vocal harmonies to Simon's poetic and eminently melodic tunes. The premier folk-rock act of their time, Simon & Garfunkel lasted a mere six years as a recording team; even so, the 33 tracks on the double-disc Essential provide all the proof necessary as to why they have maintained their unimpeachable stature. (Essential was released to coincide with the duo's 2003 reunion tour -- 32 years after their original breakup.) Touching upon highlights of each of the S&G's five original albums, this sterling collection brings together every Top 100 song released by the pair, as well as live recordings and the 1975 reunion hit "My Little Town." In doing so, the scope of Simon's brilliant song craft, the longtime friend's one-voice harmonies, and the occasional performances that spotlighted their distinctive solo voices, are given full display. There have been other Simon & Garfunkel collections over the years, but few carry this condensed punch. Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

Released to coincide with the duo's 2003 reunion tour, this two-disc anthology is no less than the fifth multi-disc compilation of the duo to appear in the CD era. Viewed coldly, it's a mercenary exercise, squeezing yet more juice out of one of the most valuable catalogs in the business. If you happen to be starting from square one, though, it's an excellent package, with all 16 of their singles to reach the Top 100 (including the 1975 reunion hit, "My Little Town"). The other 17 tracks include some of their most beloved non-hits ("Richard Cory," "The 59th Street Bridge Song," "The Only Living Boy in New York") and eight live 1967-1969 performances, none of them found in studio counterparts on this compilation, though all are drawn from previously released albums or anthologies. Some listeners might find some of their secondary Simon & Garfunkel favorites missing; "Anji," "April Come She Will," "Patterns," and "Punky's Dilemma" are absent, for example. But it's a good option for that niche audience looking for something between a single-disc greatest-hits collection and a box set. [Sony's 2003 U.K. edition included seven bonus tracks.] Richie Unterberger