The Essential Simon & Garfunkel (CD - 2003)

Producers: Simon & Garfunkel, Tom Wilson, Bob Johnston, Roy Halee, John Simon, Phil Ramone.

Compilation producer: Bob Irwin.

Recorded between 1964 & 1969.

Recording information: Lincoln Center, New York, NY (03/10/1964-05/??/1975); Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, VT (03/10/1964-05/??/1975).

Photographers: Guy Webster; Don Hunstein; Murray Neitlich; David Redfern.

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. ~ Richie Unterberger

Eight years before the American side got their act together on The Best Of, the U.K. contingent of Columbia/Sony released this single-CD compilation of greatest hits. Of course, it's not totally definitive: "Kathy's Song" and "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" are live versions from the Concert in Central Park. It does not have "Fakin' It" but does have "Seven O'Clock News/Silent Night." Still turning up in some discount bins, it's worth picking up. ~ Ted Mills

The first disc of this two-CD collection focuses on songs originally recorded by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel between 1964-1967, a time when Simon was incorporating elements of British folk into his songwriting. Hits and high points from these fruitful years include their breakthrough hit "The Sound of Silence," the anthemic "I Am a Rock," the class-divided "Richard Cory," the pastoral "Scarborough Fair/Canticle," and the acoustic rock of "A Hazy Shade of Winter," all of which feature those inimitable, Everly-inspired harmonies.

Disc two covers the '67-'69 era, in which Simon & Garfunkel had reached a stride both creatively and commercially, with timeless tracks such as the jaunty "Mrs. Robinson" (from THE GRADUATE), the lamenting "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)," and the revered ballad "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Interspersed throughout both discs are live recordings of "Leaves That Are Green," "Overs" and others, along with the 1975 reunion single, "My Little Town." Although some outstanding songs (such as "April Come She Will" and "Patterns") inevitably fall through the cracks, THE ESSENTIAL SIMON & GARFUNKEL proves to be an excellent offering for those looking for the middle ground between the five-disc box set and one of many single-disc collections. minimize