Sounds of Silence (original version) Simon and Garfunkel

[Stuart G]

[Loge23]

1. Beautiful!

In all the years of going to concerts and living in NYC, I had never seen S & G live. I remember working the Sunday after their Central Park concert - I had to be in at 4:30am - and my co-workers assuming I had just come in from the concert! Someone brought in a paper and the front page was a pic of the packed park at the show.
Finally, I went to Paul's last (for the first tour) Graceland show at Jones Beach. It was fantastic - Hugh Masekela & Miriam Makeba were there along with the entire group of African musicians heard on Graceland.
Paul's last encore that beautiful early summer night on the beach was a riveting solo Sounds of Silence.
The place was indeed silent soaking up every note and every line. It brought tears to my eyes. The ovation was heartfelt and passionate, not only for the great show that preceded it, but for the stunning Sounds of Silence that closed it.
Later, I heard Art do a few S & G tunes at his solo show, but never again heard SoS performed live.
It's one of those songs that you think if the artist never put out another, it would still be considered a classic masterpiece - and that it is, even with Mr. Simon's considerable body of work.

[Stuart G]

2. I remember sitting in a movie theater in 67, watching the first part of the movie, "The Graduate"

Hearing this song and thinking of what it meant. Later, when I saw the movie again I understood a little more. Sounds of Silence is at the very beginning...Not only is this beautiful, it says something about people who are silent for whatever reasons. I can listen to it over and over, and not be bored the music is so beautiful.

[ResIpsa]

10. Nice...

Hello Darkness My Old Friend.......

[Glamrock]

3. Thanks for not posting the Disturbed version....

It's just awful! Used to be in a band with some of those cats. Happy for em, but not into their music at all.

[demmiblue]

4. Nope, it is awesome.

I remember singing the song in music class in elementary school (way after the release of the original). I have an appreciation for both the same way I have an appreciation for both versions of "Hurt" (NIN fan back in the day... Cash owned it). Music is subjective.

[Glamrock]

5. We will have have to agree to disagree on the Disturbed.

However we can agree to agree on the Cash!

[demmiblue]

6. Heh!

[Wounded Bear]

8. Sorry, some songs should not be covered...

Sounds of Silence is on that short list.

Some songs, once covered, are the property of the new artist. Hurt is one of those. IIRC the front man for NIN said that about Cash's version.

[Iggo]

7. You're right. Not good.

Can spot 'em a mile away.

Bestest Song Ever!
Johnny Cash -- Hurt

Also the Bestest Song Ever!
Disturbed -- Sound Of Silence

Bestest Guitar Solo Ever Ever Ever Oh My God I Just Can't Believe How Bestest It Is And You Have To Agree!
Prince -- While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[Wounded Bear]

9. That album was the first I bought in several different media...

Vinyl, 8 track, cassette...

SoS and I Am a Rock were two of my faves from high school. Back when S&G weren't considered "cool." Seeing the turnout at the reunion in Central Park were a bit of a personal retribution for me.

[ResIpsa]

11. My parents had it..

..first time I thought...."Maybe these guys know something I don't." They did. Still have all three versions like you. Surprisingly the cassette screwed up the worst.