The PAUL SIMON Songbook

Original relased on LP CBS 62579 (mono)

(US, August 1965)

After the Tom & Jerry period and the first disappointing Simon & Garfunkel album ('64 "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M."), Paul flew to England, while Art stayed in the USA to study architecture. In England he found himself immersed in the underground folk scene, performing regularly and writing material inspired by the events and relationships he was newly enjoying. Finally he succeeded in getting a contract for an album. And what an debut album he made on his own. Only accompanied by his guitar, he sings 12 songs of his own. Adding to the remarkable circumstances surrounding this album was the almost simultaneous and independent decision of Simon & Garfunkel producer Tom Wilson to take "The Sound of Silence" and rework it with electric guitars, bass and drums, giving it a distinct and perfectly-timed folk-rock flavor. That version of "The Sound of Silence" became a huge hit and ignited Simon & Garfunkel's career bringing Paul back to the States with his new collection of songs. Here are those songs in their raw, embryotic form before they were transformed into what would become Simon & Garfunkel's classic repertoire.