Vocal Coach coach reacts to Simon and Garfunkel - Sound of Silence (Live) 

Paul Simon is a modern day poet, troubadour, bard, and a totally underrated guitarist. This is classic folk-rock genre. Their origins was in folk music.

I've read that Simon and Garfunkel used to spent hours and hours rehearsing their harmonies, making sure that they are singing each and every word at the exact same time and every articulation they do line up with each other. Even after years and years of not singing together , their chemistry is still amazing.

the greatest duo of all time.

really recommend checking out some earlier live performances like Concert at the Park, which is both of them in their prime, really.

Definitely one the best songs ever written

I love to see young folks discovering and falling in love with this music...but the sad thing is that you'll never experience the chill down your spine in the first few notes.....the chill from recalling the times when these songs were released.....so much of this music is topical......it takes those of us lucky enough to remember back to times that will neve quite be replicated.....

The entire Concert In Central Park is a masterpiece !

Got to see them perform live in 2007 and bawled through most of the performance. I looked around me and saw lots of other people in tears as well. Their music was a big part of my childhood and still gives me the feels to this day.

Paul Simon, in my Opinion one of the best singer, songwriter all time. The man is an absolute wizzard with words and sentences. Just brilliant.

The album version is a masterpiece, my dear sister Carol brought this record home from college. This song and like a bridge over troubled waters, we spun it on my turntable back in 1978. Good memories.

They wrote many excellent songs that are timeless. Their story and music and singing are a gift to us.

If you watch them you may notice that they don't look at one another while singing. Mentioned 30 years back and people speculated that there was some tension there. Fact is as Paul explained is they know eachother so well, that they need not look at eachother to kniw what their partner is doing during the performance. That's friendship. A singing duo of some 60 years strong.

them sounding like a team is almost an understatement. they are one unit

Love this live version. Art Garfunkel said that he is (or was, not sure) a heavy smoker, so his voice changed.

Just listen to the harmony! Glorious! Love Paul Simon's music, he's done some lockdown tunes too, the guy is nearly 80 and he's still got it. Legend.

I love watching people talking enthusiastically about the things they know and love. It also doesn't hurt that Beth is perhaps the cutest gal on the internet. She covers a wide range of musical styles with respect and astute observation. Excellent videos!

The Simon and Garfunkel sound was the combination of one microphone each and one mike for both. Simple, but great sound.

This song is a true masterpiece as was your analysis...I can see you love this as much as I do and have since the first time I heard it on AM radio..thanks for reviewing the old classics.....rawr...

Every time I've heard this done whether it was at Monterey Pop, Simon w/ Bob Dylan, or a live performance decades ago or this one, each time it is different, yet still good. I listened to a video without the lyrics and never appreciated how good the song was musically before. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is still my favorite but many of their songs are a joy to sing as you are walking or driving and forgot to bring you cell phone for music.

The singers and song writers of the 60's and 70's will never be duplicated...

The clip you watched is Simon and Garfunkel past their peak, while their is still soul in this performance . The video of their live concert during the 70's and 80's is what you should've watched. Their genius and artistry was in full swing during that time. And another clip you should watch is their performance of Scarborough Fair with Andy Williams, that performance is something else it's almost ethereal when you hear their voices. You should definitely check that out.

According to Wikipedia Paul Simon in an Interview makes this statement...... “Simon stated unambiguously in interviews, however, "I wrote The Sound of Silence when I was 21 years old",” I was 11 years old when I heard this tune when it was beginning to get air play over radio stations almost a year after it was written and recorded. Wonderful episode covering Simon & Garfunkel. Thanks Beth Roars!!

Man, this song has a great story in my life. I PPV'd this show and my mother came over for a dinner. Thought I'd play this in the background while I cooked. I heard her come in right at the beginning of their set, when they were walking up. I hear "Ooh, Simon and Garfunkle! I saw them when I was a teen!" I uncork some wine, and start working on the pork. And I hear her crying. Right at the climax of this song. She raised 5 kids, worked 10hr days 6 days/week as a fully enlisted officer in a ComSec unit, came home cooked and cleaned, paid the bills and slept, in hindsight like 4hrs of sleep a day between frequent PCSing out. She hadn't listened to much music since my parent's divorce. And here she was in her son's own home. While I cooked a dinner and drank scandalous amounts of wine... To this day, she still works two jobs. At Walmart as a produce manager, and the owner of a fabric store in my hometown! This was the first time I saw her crying... Such a damn strong woman... Brought to tears in her 50s. And this was the day my mother told me she was proud of me. Great memory! I'm so glad Beth did this video. One of my favorites on one of my favorites!

Great reaction!!! They are amazing saw them live in Köln germany...just them and their voices..no light show or dancers just their music and it was awesome !!!

I love their harmonies in this. In the acoustic version their voices are split with, I think, Garfunkel's vocals panned to the left and Simon's to the right so you can listen to them induvidually. Really cool :)

You should check out their Concert at Central Park, when they were about to turn 40. Here they are 68 years old.

Iconic. Thanks, Beth 🎧🎼

Paul Simon is still a musical genius, Art Garfunkel has the voice of an angel even as it has changed with age. Simon and Garfunkel actually split in 1970 and only came back for this concert, Garfunkel was not singing in those eleven years very much at all!

The concert in Central Park (82 or so). Really showcases the tight harmony

By the way, yes, he has aged. However, what amazes me is that Art can sing at all! Not long before this, he had an injury to the vocal cords to where one had to be removed. They replaced it with a prostheic, and he realearned how to sing with it. That is so amazing!

The first recording I ever owned! I was teaching beginning guitar in my junior year of h.s. and the owner of the music shop gave me a choice of LP albums as a Christmas present. I loved this duet - especially appreciating as a solid member of my choir! So strange to grow old with this team and see this variation of what always played the same in my recording. So strange to see the aging of the great artist Paul where so distinguished here, he allowed himself to be presented in a huge, yellow-feathered chicken suit on Saturday Night Live (SNL) way back in the late 1960's. Seeing these two now is precious. Tonight I've discovered a number of "reaction" videos which were initially interesting but ultimately lacking because unlike you, there wasn't the vocal knowledge and technical insight that makes a sharing like of something remarkable so enlightening. With you we get an added understanding of the talent and individuality all the while seeing approving facial expressions: those delightful micro muscle reactions in your lovely mouth and face. Well done professor!

2 things: Garfunkel used autotune on that gig; This song didn't had a drastic dynamics change originally because it had an acoustic guitar as the only instrument, the producers had recorded the band over the track without speaking about it with Paul Simon.

Damn, that was beautiful. Had goosebumps from start to finish! I love these guys! My favourite song is The Boxer.

It's the mid-60's, lying on the bed, listening to Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, The Beatles. Flashbacks abound.

I remember the first time I saw this video version. Hadn't listened to S & G in a while. Was stunned how good they sounded and that their harmonies were still fantastic. Then as they got to the end of the song I started crying. Not sure why, but this performance seems very special.

Great and Classics All your Songs!! Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel👏👏 Tks Beth!!

I'd like to hear your impressions on Larkin Poe. The blues/Southern rock sisters named their band after their great-great-great grandfather, a cousin of Edgar Allan Poe.

They, though not brothers, have sibling harmonies. They were childhood friends and grew up together, learning to sing together for years before they dropped even one recording.

The original version on Wednesday Morning 3 AM was pure folk. The producer remixed it to add the electric guitar & backing rhythms that made it a hit on their next album.

That's an act that worked best in american music history, Simon and Garfunkel always justified the status they earned, too damn good..Legends!!

Beth I love you for many reasons. Aside from your vocal expertise, it is your broader persona. Genuine, lighthearted and fun, but heavy when needed. And unintentionally humble. A great Irish lass. -your US Irish American fanboy, Gregory

had never heard that version......stunned they can sing those notes so many years on

my era, DAMN, Beth you ROAR!!!!

I listened Sound of silence in 2005 for first time, I was 14 years old and they became in my favourites musicians since I relistened Linger, by The Cranberries, in 2007. Both bands, Dolores, Noel, Mike, Fergal, Paul and Garfunkel will always be in my heart. Especially Dolores ;,). Also I love so much Scarabough Fair and The Boxer. Grettings from Spain.

I love it when you comment on songs that are close to my heart, I really lose myself when listening to Simon and Garfunkel, proper contemplation tunes ☺ Anyway, thanks for brightening up my day ☀

I saw them live and it was spine tingling.

One of my most favorite of all times. The version "Live in Central Park" is, in my opinion, much better. And not so distant in time (1981 vs. 2009 for this one) from the original album. It's also almost an a cappella with only two or three guitar chords played by Paul. But thumbs up anyway.

Isn't Paul Simon a great guitar player? !!

One of my favorites of Simon and Garfunkel is "El Condor Pasa" You should give a "listen".

Love that you've looked at the role of voices in harmony. It's not the same as solo singing and needs a different approach. (And of course, S&G are guaranteed to give me tingles. For those of us around in the 60s they defined that harmony style; reviews would describe acts as having Simon and Garfunkel style harmonies.)

I love the way You are commenting songs.

These two were/are quite special. Great song writing skills combined with great vocals with tight harmonies... Gentle but smooth and strong! Many years ago I heard a funny man call them Simon and Art the Funkel Brothers.... I can tell you one thing for sure. They were super BIG back in the day for good reason. Just listen and absorb the beauty of this song. EPIC!!! Paul's later music explored new and different rhythms. Great skill-set! Plus Paul was a good guitar man.

Ty learning alot abour singing from you

A reaction video that didn’t incredibly promote itself as the first time you ever heard the song, and one from which I actually learned something that will make me listen to the song differently? Subscribed!

Check out Bridge Over Troubled Water from The Concert in Central Park, where you will see Art Garfunkel in his prime. His voice is stunning.

A young man by the name of Iam Tongi just did a cover of this on American Idol. He is 18 years old with a voice that goes straight to your heart. He actually won American Idol. You should react to his cover.

Interesting that you mention the Disturbed version. If you sing Paul's harmony line alongside David's cover it still works, even when David gets really powerful and you stay relatively soft. I can't remember what you call it but it's mostly that really ancient type of harmony where you keep singing the same note until you absolutely have to change it, rather than contantly singing a third above or below the lead, which makes it really easy. (Then it catches you out in the last verse when David briefly sings Paul's part and you have to switch places.)

The best Simon&Garfunkel performance i‘ve ever heard!!!

it absolutly fantastic..masterpiece......one of the greatest artists ever

I saw these guys in Akron, Ohio in the 70’s. Wonderful!

They're AMAZING!!!

Those harmonies make my skin shiver 🖤

Considering both of them are close to 70 years old, their voices are amazing.

Same concert, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another point with that particular show. Art said later his mic was too low and the sound guy didn't respond ( in a later song he was signaling like crazy) which forced him to sing too loud for his own comfort.

I got the flu in high school. I was on my back for a week. I had an old 8 track tape player and a Simon and Garfunkel tape. I listened to them the whole time, some times not able to move to change the tape. That was 1970. I still love their music.

The song has an interesting history. It was originally performed totally acoustically and flopped. Then a record producer added drums and electric guitar and it became a huge hit. In the original all that dynamic was through the action of the vocals - this live version takes it back to that state.

Dear Beth, You and I'm sure that you won't regret featuring this artist. Todd Rundgren is perhaps one of the most versatile musicians of all time. His production value is phenomenal. He has produced more artists recordings than anyone ever has. He finally had to stop when he collapsed from exhaustion. Please give this serious consideration. You won't be disappointed. Hello It's Me is a classic song. He's one of the greatest multi instrumentalist, producer and whether he is in the studio or playing live, he simply is amazing. This is Simon and Garfunkel in Central Park, I just happened to be there. It was something you should have been there to really enjoy.

A remnant of the Folk-rock era. Peter and Gordon, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Mamas and the Poppas, Bob Dylan, Lovin Spoonful, and even Crosby Stills and Nash. Transitional stuff.

You could try Helplessly hoping! Those are good harmonies too!

From this same concert is my current favorite S&G. The song "American Tune" (not "America"). I humbly suggest it is worth a listen.

This music is beautifull, both song and lyrics

I love your dissection. Love it.

When I was pregnant with my son I sang this song all the time for some reason. When he was a toddler their greatest hits was his favourite thing to listen to. He's forgotten how much he loved it, he only wants to listen to Queen & The Beatles these days.

Excellent analysis! Their voices have aged. I wonder if you’ve seen the version of this song they did in another, very famous, concert they did in Central Park in the 70’s. Utter perfection. Oops think it was Scarborough fair

Beautiful, expert reaction.

Thankyou Beth. This is such a thought provoking song. Love it.

I agree it is one of the best songs ever written.

I really like Disturbed's version of this, but Simon and Garfunkel's will always be my favorite. So much subtlety in their interpretation, where Disturbed went for a much more (imo) straightforward take on it.

Beth loves Simon and Garfunkel! I love Beth!

I agree it is not only one of the greatest songs ever written, but their live performances are unsurpassed.

It is interesting to hear the evolution of their sound from Wednesday Morning 3am to Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme to Bridge Over Troubled Water then on to the Concert in Central Park. It morphs from a folk feeling to more of a rock sound and finally it seems like a visit to an old friend. Truly talented singers and one of my favorites.

Beautiful hormony. I recomend to you their idols - The Everly Brothers. Especially, "All I Have To Do Is Dream" and "Cathy's Clown" from Alma Cogan Show in 1960. Enjoy :)

Staley & Cantrell, Simon & Garfunkel, Lennon & McCartney. In my opinion the best harmonizing duos of all time

You need to find a recording of this song when they were younger. Garfunkel's voice is amazing.

Pentatonics, a cappella versio of Sound Of Silence is Epic, your ears will thank you

I had this Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame version on repeat for months. As much as I enjoy Disturbed's version, this one just tops it for me.

In the 1960s, a college audience broke into "Sounds of Silence" when Nixon was speaking. Music is so powerful.

Loved Art Garfunkel singing in Watership Down

Also PS use of the guitar as a third, and even a fourth at times when he holds the harmonic chord and still plays a bit of lead with his other finger, or fingers is certainly worth mentioning. Love your channel Beth! You're a DOLL!

They got signed early but their first album didn't sell. They disbanded and went their separate ways... then some radio stations started playing this song and then the producer overdubbed it with electric instruments and released it as a single and the song hit No.1 on Billboard Hot 100 and then they reunited to make their second album to capitalize on the attention

In 1964 -The Vietnam war was taking high school boys & they came back changed - most wiser & some hurt or .... smoking weed & hippies - so many went that we began to hate the government for not winning the war & playing politics w/ our lives. Songs of peace & war - began to change the country into the two group - peace & love plus militant groups

Garfunkel and Brad delp have that soaring high voice with minimal vibrato

AM I the only person who can't help but laugh when they hear the "roar" at the end of her little intro?

I know you've reacted to Danny Elfman singing as Jack Skellington but you should react to a younger Danny Elfman singing in Oingo Boingo. I would recommend "Just Another Day" live at Ritz 1987

Try "Scarborough Fair" "Bridge Over Troubled Water" "Feelin' Groovy"

Holy cow. I know nothing technically about music but my mind is kinda blown by having it pointed out to me that when the beat picks up the vibrato comes in.

You should look up more duos from the 60s...Chad and Jeremy, Peter and Gordon, Rights Brothers, and The Everly Brothers..

Age 15?? Natural musical instincts 👌🎉 Great review Beth Thx💝

This released in about 1966 at a time when America was involved in the war with lot of unrest and there voices was much better then .lol ..great reaction