BMG [Release date 08.11.24]

The legendary Art Garfunkel teams up with his son, Art Jr. to produce an album of covers. As Art. Jr. explains, “This one is truly a father-son project, it’s all about this unique connection. We recorded a dozen of our most cherished songs. I brought more of the 80s influences into the project, and my father brought more of the Great American Songbook – wonderful songs from the 1940s and so on.”

It is a big sounding album, full of lush orchestral parts and as the Garfunkel’s explained, “We were going for a real modern orchestral vibe, with lots of strings.” In the studio, they enlisted producer Felix Gauder (Pet Shop Boys, Jimmy Somerville), string arranger Davide Rossi (Coldplay, Alicia Keys) and studio wizard Ash Howes (Kylie Minogue, Ellie Goulding).

Eagle eyed Art Garfunkel fans will spot the album cover’s nod to his 1979 album artwork ‘Fate For Breakfast’.

Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Old Friends’ is one of two stand outs on the album. The orchestral arrangement on this one is top notch. The album’s title track, a Cat Stevens cover, would bring a tear to the eye of even the most hardened music fan.

Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’ was released as the lead single. A song that highlights both Art’s singing perfectly. Art Jr. has a higher register, whilst his dad may have lost a little of his higher range, he still possesses a vocal that brings joy to the listener.

Art Garfunkel sounds wonderful on the jazz standard ‘Once In A While’, with Art Jr. adding in backing vocals to good effect. Don McLean’s ‘Vincent’ is a good choice as it has plenty of ebb and flow, both musically and in the two Garfunkels.

The 80’s hits are fun, especially Eurthymics ‘Here Comes the Rain Again’, which had a string filled sound originally, and perhaps a less obvious choice Ph.D.’s ‘I Won’t Let You Down’.

Can’t help thinking they missed a track not covering one of Art Garfunkel’s most famous songs ‘Bright Eyes’, but then the original is a classic and untouchable!

My dad was a big fan of Simon & Garfunkel and Art Garfunkel’s solo career, not so much Paul Simon’s! So, the biggest complement I can pay this album is that it would have been the perfect gift for my dad and he’d doubtless love it. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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