Album Information:

About Simon & Garfunkel:

Simon & Garfunkel was an American folk-rock duo consisting of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. They emerged as one of the most successful musical acts of the 1960s, particularly known for their intricate vocal harmonies and thoughtful lyrics.

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel first started performing together as teenagers in the late 1950s. They were both born and raised in Queens, New York and attended the same high school. Initially performing as Tom & Jerry, they had some minor successes in the late 1950s with singles such as 'Hey, Schoolgirl' and 'Dancin' Wild'.

After taking a break to attend college, in the mid-1960s they re-emerged as Simon & Garfunkel with a more mature sound and a focus on folk and rock music. Their breakthrough came in 1965 with the release of their album 'The Sound of Silence', which included the hit single of the same name.

Over the next several years, Simon & Garfunkel released a string of hit albums, including 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme' (1966), 'Bookends' (1968), and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' (1970). Their music was often characterized by Simon's introspective songwriting and Garfunkel's soaring, angelic vocals.

In addition to their studio albums, Simon & Garfunkel were known for their captivating live performances, including their legendary 1981 'Concert in Central Park' before an estimated audience of more than 500,000 people.

Despite their enormous success, tensions between Simon and Garfunkel ultimately led to the duo's breakup in 1970. Simon went on to enjoy a successful solo career, while Garfunkel continued to perform and act.

In the decades since, Simon & Garfunkel's music has remained popular, with songs like 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'Mrs. Robinson', and 'The Boxer' becoming timeless classics. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

About the album Bookends:

Bookends is the fourth studio album released by folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel in 1968. It is regarded as one of their most exceptional works and is often considered to be a masterpiece in the realm of folk rock.

The album consists of twelve tracks which are arranged to form a cohesive narrative that explores various themes such as aging, isolation, disillusionment, and the fleeting nature of life.

The title track opens the album with its haunting and melancholic lyrics, 'Time it was, and what a time it was, it was. A time of innocence, a time of confidences.' The song sets the tone for the rest of the album, which reflects on the past and how it shapes the future.

The next track, 'Save the Life of My Child,' is a social commentary on the racial tensions of the 1960s, with its chilling chorus 'Save the life of my child, move over Satan, you're standing in my way.'

The upbeat 'America' tells the story of two young lovers on a road trip across the country. It is a quintessential American tale filled with longing and optimism.

The album's centerpiece is the powerful and emotional 'Old Friends/Bookends,' which captures the essence of aging and the passage of time. The song is divided into two parts, with the first part being a contemplation on old age and the second part serving as a reflection on youth.

The rest of the album features other notable tracks such as 'Mrs. Robinson,' which became a massive hit and was prominently featured in the iconic film 'The Graduate.' 'Fakin' It' is a playful tune that comments on the art of deception, while 'A Hazy Shade of Winter' is a more upbeat rock song about the disappointments and confusion of life.

Bookends is a masterpiece in the world of folk rock, and it still resonates with listeners today. The album's mature themes, poetic lyrics, and Simon & Garfunkel's signature harmonies make it a timeless classic that continues to inspire musicians and listeners alike.

Members:

Simon & Garfunkel is composed of two key members, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

Paul Simon was born on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up in a musical family and started playing guitar at a young age. In the late 1950s, he formed a duo with his school friend Art Garfunkel, and they started performing together as 'Tom & Jerry.' In 1964, Simon & Garfunkel released their debut album 'Wednesday Morning, 3 AM,' which was a commercial failure. However, a remixed version of their song 'The Sound of Silence' became a hit after it was played on the radio, leading to the duo's renewed success. Throughout the 1960s, Simon & Garfunkel released several acclaimed albums, including 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' in 1970. Simon also had a successful solo career, releasing albums such as 'Graceland' and 'Rhythm of the Saints.' He has won multiple Grammy Awards and is considered one of the greatest American songwriters of all time.

Arthur Ira Garfunkel was born on November 5, 1941, in Queens, New York. He attended Columbia University, where he met Paul Simon. The two started performing together as 'Tom & Jerry' and eventually formed Simon & Garfunkel. Garfunkel's distinctive tenor voice contributed to many of the duo's most beloved songs, including 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle' and 'Mrs. Robinson.' Garfunkel also acted in several films, including 'Catch-22' and 'Carnal Knowledge.' In the late 1970s, Garfunkel took a hiatus from music to pursue an acting career. However, he has since returned to recording and touring, releasing several albums in the 21st century. Garfunkel has also written poetry and has authored a memoir, 'What Is It All But Luminous.'

Track List for Bookends:

Track 1: Bookends Theme (0:32)
The album opens with a brief instrumental track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It features a soft, melodic guitar riff with a hint of nostalgia.

Track 2: Save the Life of My Child (2:49)
This track has a haunting quality to it, with a chilling vocal performance from Paul Simon over a pulsing background of synth and percussion. It tells the story of a young runaway boy who encounters danger on the streets.

Track 3: America (3:34)
'America' is a classic Simon & Garfunkel song that recounts a road trip taken by the two young lovers. It's a bittersweet song that juxtaposes the beauty of America's natural landscapes with the alienation and loneliness of modern life.

Track 4: Overs (2:14)
This is a short but sweet love song that showcases the delicate harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel. The lyrics are simple and romantic, describing the feeling of being overwhelmed by love.

Track 5: Voices of Old People (2:07)
This track features recordings of elderly people talking about their memories and experiences. It provides a melancholy interlude in the middle of the album, highlighting the theme of nostalgia that runs throughout.

Track 6: Old Friends (2:36)
'Old Friends' is a gentle acoustic ballad that is both wistful and comforting. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing for lost friendships and simpler times, but also express a sense of gratitude for the enduring connections that remain.

Track 7: Bookends Theme (1:16)
This is an instrumental reprise of the opening track, featuring a variation on the same guitar riff but with a fuller arrangement and more complex harmonies.

Track 8: Fakin' It (3:17)
'Fakin' It' is a playful pop song with a catchy melody and sly lyrics. It plays with the idea of authenticity and identity, questioning whether any of us are truly genuine or if we're all just putting on a show.

Track 9: Punky's Dilemma (2:11)
This track is a bit of a departure from the rest of the album, with a more upbeat, jazzy feel. The lyrics are a bit inscrutable, describing the quandary of a young man named Punky who can't seem to make up his mind about anything.

Track 10: Mrs. Robinson (4:02)
One of Simon & Garfunkel's biggest hits, 'Mrs. Robinson' is a sophisticated, catchy pop song with a memorable chorus and memorable arrangement. It was written for the movie 'The Graduate' and features cryptic yet compelling lyrics about a woman struggling with identity and purpose.

Track 11: A Hazy Shade of Winter (2:17)
This is a faster-paced, more rock-oriented track that features crunchy guitar riffs and urgent vocals. The lyrics describe the feeling of being swept up in the chaos and confusion of modern life.

Track 12: At the Zoo (2:22)
The album closes with 'At the Zoo,' a playful, silly song that uses the metaphor of a zoo to comment on human nature. It's a fun, lighthearted closer that leaves the listener with a smile.

Discography for Simon & Garfunkel:

Albums:

1. Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964)
2. Sounds of Silence (1966)
3. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
4. Bookends (1968)
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

Singles:

1. 'Hey, Schoolgirl' (1957)
2. 'The Sound of Silence' (1965)
3. 'Homeward Bound' (1966)
4. 'I Am a Rock' (1966)
5. 'A Hazy Shade of Winter' (1966)
6. 'At the Zoo' (1967)
7. 'Fakin' It' (1967)
8. 'Mrs. Robinson' (1968)
9. 'The Boxer' (1969)
10. 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' (1970)

Other releases:

1. Old Friends (1997) – box set containing remastered versions of all of their albums and previously unreleased live recordings and demos.

Note: Some compilations and live albums were released after their initial breakup in 1970 but are not listed here as they are not considered part of their original discography.