Early Simon & Garfunkel

This is an early compilation of sides by the youthful Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel, working together as Tom & Jerry and augmented with numerous early Paul Simon solo sides, cut under such aliases as Jerry Landis, Tico, and Tico & The Triumphs. There are 27 songs in all that, at their best, display a mastery of the best elements of the pop-rock of the time, especially those components of the Everly Brothers' and (to a much lesser degree) Elvis Presley's sounds that the two musicians could most easily emulate. The music is pleasing and accessible rockabilly-inspired rock 'n' roll, closely following the work of the Everly Brothers (with a nod to Jan & Dean with a cover of "Baby Talk"). Simon's early efforts as Jerry Landis made him sound like some mid-teens rockabilly wildman who might have fit very nicely into the line-up of the Sparkletones, even imitating a southern accent very well on "Anna Belle," while "I'm Lonely" sounds uncannily like one of the Beatles' early ballads, and "I Wish I Weren't In Love" somewhat recalls both Dion and Ricky Nelson. Simon's doo-wop based work as Tico & The Triumphs is more derivative and generic, though it is great fun and certainly respectable for an 18-year-old simply trying to get a foothold on the charts -- "Wild Flower" and "Get Up & Do The Wobble" are more enduring than "The Lone Teen Ranger" (a Jerry Landis cut), but none of this would get yanked from most listener's turntables. As Dee Jay Records is a legitimate German label, responsible for reissuing a huge body of late 1950's rock 'n ' roll, doo-wop, and rockabilly, this release also has the edge over many other Simon & Garfunkel apocrypha by having above average sound quality and a pretty fair essay (printed way too small) in its booklet. ~ Bruce Eder|