Wednesday Morning, 3 AM [Extra tracks]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Simon & Garfunkel would become, in essence, the American folk movement's answer to the Beatles, bridging generations and spanning musical styles--if done with an often-dispassionate air of seeming academic disdain--and a ubiquitous fixture in many a 1960s record collection. Yet, there are precious few hints of what was to come on Simon and Garfunkel's 1964 debut. Though recorded during the first few hectic months of American Beatlemania, the Paul and Art of Wednesday Morning are still firmly rooted in Greenwich Village coffeehouse traditions. Their nasally correct take on Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'," covers of American folk movement standards like "Peggy-O," "He Was My Brother," "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream," and buoyant gospel-tinged fare ("You Can Tell the World," "Go Tell It on the Mountain") just can't help sounding tres ironic, especially coming from the mouths of two nice Jewish boys from Queens. The early Simon originals here are cast in much the same mold, with the notable exception of "The Sounds of Silence" (offered here in its first, all-acoustic incarnation), a song that underscores the songwriter's looming ability to wrap even the most dour observations in poetically and musically accessible terms that would be the envy of many a Hallmark staff writer. This new edition has been digitally remastered to good effect and also contains three bonus tracks: spare, heartfelt demos of Simon's "Bleecker Street" and the covers "He Was My Brother" and "The Sun Is Burning." --Jerry McCulley

Wednesday Morning, 3 AM, Music, Simon & Garfunkel, Folk-Pop, Folk-Rock, Pop, Popular Music, Rock, Rock/Pop, Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating:

It's Folk Music

What A Start? A New York Fave!

"From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be."

Not Correct "Sound of Silence" melody

Ok, it's early Simon and Garfunkel, but this is a wonderful album

Wednesday Morning, 3 AM
Simon & Garfunkel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

Sounds of Silence

Bookends

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Paul Simon

ASIN: B00005NKKW
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Tracks:

You Can Tell The World
Last night I Had The Strongest Dream
Bleecker Street
Sparrow
Benedictus
The Sound Of Silence
He Was My Brother
Peggy-O
Go Tell It On The Mountain
The Sun Is Burning
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
Bleecker Street
He Was My Brother
The Sun Is Burning

Amazon.com

Simon & Garfunkel would become, in essence, the American folk movement's answer to the Beatles, bridging generations and spanning musical styles--if done with an often-dispassionate air of seeming academic disdain--and a ubiquitous fixture in many a 1960s record collection. Yet, there are precious few hints of what was to come on Simon and Garfunkel's 1964 debut. Though recorded during the first few hectic months of American Beatlemania, the Paul and Art of Wednesday Morning are still firmly rooted in Greenwich Village coffeehouse traditions. Their nasally correct take on Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'," covers of American folk movement standards like "Peggy-O," "He Was My Brother," "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream," and buoyant gospel-tinged fare ("You Can Tell the World," "Go Tell It on the Mountain") just can't help sounding tres ironic, especially coming from the mouths of two nice Jewish boys from Queens. The early Simon originals here are cast in much the same mold, with the notable exception of "The Sounds of Silence" (offered here in its first, all-acoustic incarnation), a song that underscores the songwriter's looming ability to wrap even the most dour observations in poetically and musically accessible terms that would be the envy of many a Hallmark staff writer. This new edition has been digitally remastered to good effect and also contains three bonus tracks: spare, heartfelt demos of Simon's "Bleecker Street" and the covers "He Was My Brother" and "The Sun Is Burning." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

It's Folk Music.......2006-10-11

Well, the title kind of says it all. This is what Simon and Garfunkel were before a producer got it in his head to incorporate some electric sounds with Sound of Silence. Taken for what it is, it's a passable record (a better-than-average folk recording, if that counts for anything), but it suffers from some serious problems.

So what's wrong with it? Well, to start, it's a folk record from the sixties, which is to say that it's whiny, plaintive, and, for the most part, a little adolescent. The songwriting is not up to the standard that you'd expect if you're a latter-day Paul Simon (there's a reason he's divorced himself from a number of these songs). It's still better than average, but compared to other Paul Simon and Simon and Garfunkel recordings, it's clearly second-tier.

More importantly, it's a FOLK record. A great many of the previous reviewers have evidenced a marked disappointment with that fact. It's SUPPOSED to only have acoustic guitars and vocals. You're not going to find the radio versions of any song whose name you might recognize on the track list. In the catalog of Simon and Garfunkel recordings, this is the red-headed stepchild, taken from the time before their big break with the reworked (and, yes, not included here--you'll have to go to the album of the same name for the radio version) Sound of Silence.

That said, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel have better talent for singing than most folk performers (and I kind of mean, you know, ever--Bob Dylan is charming and all, but let's not confuse ourselves into thinking that he has any talent for actually singing). The two harmonize very effectively, and while the songwriting has its occasional cringeworthy moments (He Was My Brother is simplistic to say the least, and I would avoid reading the liner notes entirely), it is still mostly above the bar.

As part of a Paul Simon collection, you pretty much have to include this record. It's one of the five Simon and Garfunkel albums, after all, even if more of the memorable releases from the duo on their other four. I'd also recommend it to fans in the folk music genre. For a casual listener just looking for a good Simon and Garfunkel record, however, I'd try something else first.

Finally, a note regarding the bonus material. If you're considering purchasing the new release of the CD to get the included bonus songs, don't. In some cases with the Simon and Garfunkel rereleases, it's worth it, but in this case, you just get virtually identical versions of three songs you already have.

What A Start? A New York Fave!.......2006-09-06

To me, Simon and Garfunkel will always epitomize the ultimate New York group. After all, they're both New Yorkers by birth--unlike other great New York acts to follow such as Bob Dylan, The Echoes, etc.

This debut album gives hints of even greater things to come, and of course we all know the story of how S&G were going their own ways before a DJ added electric instrumentation to "Sounds Of Silence" which would lead to both a glorious folk-rock career and even better follow-up LP!

Only with acts such as The Everly Brothers, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, and Teresa and Mark of The Echoes have I heard such a beautiful blending of voices. (okay... Peter, Paul, and Mary were great, too, but I'm thinking more along slightly harder-edged lines here!)

Paul's writing is very strong and moving in his early, albeit more politically-oriented folk years. The title track would be revamped on the follow-up album, too, under another name, but I still prefer the moving quality of this LP, its sincerity, and its honesty.

A great welcome to the world of Simon and Garfunkel!

"From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be.".......2006-07-10

Some of the reviews for this album have been rather harsh, and frankly a tad ridiculous. Basically, if you are looking for the most radio played, "best of", popular music-esque songs from simon & garfunkel, you probably won't like this album. But, if you enjoy their poetry and amazing harmonies and get past the initial surprise of how different this album is...you may come to appreciate it. Two songs in particular: Bleecker Street and Sparrow. Sparrow is incredible...totally worth it. Try something new...

Not Correct "Sound of Silence" melody.......2006-06-08

The original record (not CD) version of this album had their first version of their signature "Sound of Silence". This was replaced in time by the more familiar version of the tune that appears in all their subsequent albums. However it is very wrong that the "Pressers" of this CD did not use the same tune as on the original record. Or better yet - include the more familiar version as a bonus track. The two versions have identical words but very very different melodies.
Except for that the album is 4 stars ****

Ok, it's early Simon and Garfunkel, but this is a wonderful album.......2006-04-22

Yes, this is an early Simon and Garfunkel album... yes,
it's not in my mind their amazing later stuff...
Actually, it's a lot like an early Beatles album in that they did
some covers (with the exception of The Sounds of Silence)

But there's a really nice Pete Seeger quality here that comes shining
through and I feel that the covers are performed with tenderness and
thoughtfulness.. (The Times They Are-A-Changing) for instance is a highly
original Dylan cover.. and the two sound good together...
This is good music and musicianship.. I disagree with any S&G fan who dislikes this
album... I highly recommend it!!!!

Average customer rating:

Their debut album
The debut album of Simon & Garfunkle the folk singers
Dating Myself
Wonderfully Folksy but Under-Appreciated Debut
Classic

Wednesday Morning, 3 AM
Simon & Garfunkel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
Sounds of Silence
Bookends
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Sounds of Silence

ASIN: B0000024S9
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

You Can Tell The World
Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream
Bleecker Street
Sparrow
Benedictus
The Sounds Of Silence
He Was My Brother
Peggy-O
Go Tell It On The Mountain
The Sun Is Burning
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.

Customer Reviews:

Their debut album.......2005-12-18

This has an acoustic "Sounds of Silence" with no drums in it, a unique version. This is Simon and Garfunkel's debut album. In the artwork Garfunkel tells Simon that they should get a job and they sure did, considering they brough over 500,000 people to their concert in 1981, over 15 years after this album was released. The only reason this album is a 4 in my opinion is it has very few popular songs on it as opposed to most other S&G albums. If you are a huge fan of the group, this album is a must, but if you just like their popular songs, go for the greatest hits cds.

The debut album of Simon & Garfunkle the folk singers.......2005-01-03

We do not really think of Simon & Garfunkel as being a folk group, mainly because when "The Sounds of Silence" became a big hit and a signature song of the 1960s it had been electrified. But when you listen to their first album, "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.," it becomes clear from the opening track, "You Can Tell the World," that they were a folk duo. Of course there is the obligatory Dylan song, "The Times They Are-A Changin'," Sixties songs like "Last Night I had the Strangest Dream," and traditional songs like "Go Tell It On the Mountain" to add to the folk song bona fides of the album.

In retrospect what is interesting is Paul Simon's attempt to write folk songs, a category into which "The Sounds of Silence" does not fall. Of those original songs, "He Was My Brother" is the one most in keeping with the spirit of the Sixties, while "Bleecker Street" evinces the delicate music he could write. But Simon is still learning his craft, as evidenced by "Sparrow," which tends to be a bit pretentious. Then there is Simon & Garfunkle's rendition of the traditional song "Benedictus," which gets a bit electrified as well. There is a real sense that the duo are still learning their craft and just beginning to find the sound that would define them.

In addition to be digitally remastered, this version of "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. includes a trio of bonus tracks, which consist of bare boned demo version of Simon's "Bleecker Street" and alternate takes of his "He Was My Brother" and the cover of "The Sun is Burning." But even with those additions this remains an interesting but not great debut album by a duo that would continue to improve with each and every album they put out until they reached the pinnacle with "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and then called it quits when they were literally on top of the music world.

Dating Myself.......2003-08-25

For most if 1964 I was a college freshman, lost in the wilderness of academic achievement. And, despite the crowds about me, mostly alone. I had arrived with a taste for coffee houses and folk music, two things that the great Midwest was still largely without. If it hadn't been for the occasional song on the radio and guitarists on building steps it would have been a dry, astringent place.

In the midst of this wandered Simon and Garfunkel, who - because they had managed to bridge the gap between pop, rock, and folk - achieved enough popularity to be heard often. 'Wednesday Morning, 3 AM' was almost before my time. Lacking a turntable of my own, I only knew it in fragments. So now, 35 years later, listening to it from end to end, it still sounds fresh to me.

This was a debut album. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had made a name for themselves as performers, and now this was an opportunity not to be missed. Despite Simon's remarkable skills as a songwriter, the album consists mostly of 'borrowed' songs. Only four were his own efforts. All display the eclectic tastes that was to mark the efforts this team, and then Simon alone as special to many from that era on.

In retrospect, the music of this album - guitar and two voice harmony - is simple and straitforward. Satisfyingly so, since most were chosen for content not just 'feeling good.' They ask questions, some of which have never really been answered - that are just as pertinent today as they were then. Thus it is in the design of the album, not in the individual songs, that the true richness and complexity lays, as we travel a range from reflective to jarringly tragic.

If you are used to the later work of this team, your first reaction to this album may be a bit doubtful. This is more intimate and less adventurous than what was to when Paul Simon took over all the songwriting. There are foreshadowing's of the coming years, but 'Wednesday Morning, 3 AM' stands very much on its own. I find on repeated listening that it has become one of my favorites. Hopefully, it will be one of yours.

Wonderfully Folksy but Under-Appreciated Debut.......2002-08-17

First of all, I've got to get this off my shoulders: pay NO attention to the star rating. Looks like I can't get around it, but really, my star ratings don't mean much by themselves-it's all in the review here what I really think. OK, that being said, this album is a must for any Simon and Garfunkel fan. Their first album as S&G, it's unfortunate that this gem is, in my opinion, somewhat underexposed. It's an almost motley array of completely acoustic folk music, but there is enough really strong, beautiful material on here to hold it all together. Let's go over what's on here, shall we?
If you can manage to put all the existing circumstances out of your mind for a moment, "You Can Tell the World" S&G do a stirring, soulful rendition of this folksy, gospel-y, upbeat tune. Forget the overly harsh criticism you may have heard on this song-it's great music, pure and simple. "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" is a somewhat more benign rendition of an old 60s-classic. I got a kick out of the atypical instrumentals on this, but it's not really my favorite sounding song on this album. (Though they do a fine job with it.) "Bleeker Street" is, I believe, the most under-appreciated and wonderful song here. It's very "Paul Simon-ish"-you know immediately who wrote this powerful and understated song. It's just beautiful is all, the harmonies sounding especially great on this song. "Sparrow" is another similarly identifiable song, and I especially love the last verse. It's another powerful and wonderfully simple song by the time you get to the end. "Benedictus" is very well sung, though it perhaps feels somewhat out of place although the album is somewhat eclectic. Anyway, it's interesting to hear them doing this song, but not my personal favorite.
Then we come to "The Sound of Silence." The version on here is absolutely superb. Without the drums and electric guitar that were added into the more familiar version, it has a sound similar to "Bleeker Street" and "Sparrow." I'm thinking that I might prefer this version...Anyway, "He was my brother" is my other favorite song on here (along with "Bleeker Street"...and maybe some others; it changes every time I listen!). It's very folksy, but more up-tempo than some of the previous songs. Aside from the great sound of this song, the lyrics are very heartfelt and harshly moving. (I read that he probably wrote it for a friend who was killed working for civil rights...) The traditional "Peggy-o" is nice enough, but it feels like a somewhat unnecessary addition, a bit fluffy I suppose. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is another gospel-y, upbeat song, sung soulfully. The lyrics of "The Sun Is Burning" are interesting to listen to, but the sound of the song is less captivating for me. Though it is in keeping with other songs on the album, the sound (until the ending) is very sweet and quiet. But then I suppose that plays up the irony of the song, and it is disturbingly effective at the end in talking about the horrors of warlike violence. "The Times They Are A-Changin'" is a great Dylan cover, with nice harmonies and a rigorous sound. Finally, "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M." is interesting but a bit too sweet sounding for me. I must say that I don't dislike it, I just don't listen to it much. (But look! A Paul Simon song that doesn't really rhyme!) On their next album, "The Sound of Silence," there's a more rock-like re-working of it. ("Somewhere They Can't Find Me")
Hey look I've written another long and overly detailed review! What a surprise! Anyway, this is a great album, particularly if you're already an S&G fan. It's the beginnings of all that Simon-and-Garfunkel-y-ness, it's interesting to hear where they're coming from after you hear their later albums. So forget the harsh criticism of this album as to simple or motley-it's not at all. This is an essential folk recording, various but somehow coherent, subtle but definitely not simplistic. Go back and give it a listen, there's some really really wonderful stuff on here.

Classic.......2000-08-30

This album is what got me into Simon & Garfunkel/Paul Simon's music. All of the tracks are easy to listen to. "Bleecker Street" is the best composure I've ever heard. And to think of how young Paul was when he wrote it! The harmonies, the melody, and especially the lyrics are all genius. Paul Simon plays some great guitar on it too. "The Sounds Of Silence" is amazing. To me, you get the best version of this song on this album. If you love Simon & Garfunkel/Paul Simon, this album is for you.

Average customer rating:

Wednesday Morning, 3 AM
Simon & Garfunkel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000RG1DC6
Release Date: 2007-08-20

Tracks:

You Can Tell the World
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream
Bleecker Street
Sparrow
Benedictus
Sound of Silence
He Was My Brother
Peggy-O
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Sun Is Burning
Times They Are A-Changin'
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Average customer rating:

The debut album of Simon & Garfunkle the folk singers

Wednesday Morning, 3 AM
Simon & Garfunkel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000W3RJE
Release Date: 2004-02-13

Tracks:

You Can Tell the World
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream
Bleecker Street
Sparrow
Benedictus
Sound of Silence
He Was My Brother
Peggy-O
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Sun Is Burning
Times They Are A-Changin'
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
Bleecker Street [*][Demo Version]
He Was My Brother [Alternate Take 1][#][*]
Sun Is Burning [Alternate Take 12][#][*]

Customer Reviews:

The debut album of Simon & Garfunkle the folk singers.......2005-02-01

Average customer rating:

Wednesday Morning, 3 AM
Simon & Garfunkel
Manufacturer: Sony Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000BHZL6
Release Date: 2003-12-23

Tracks:

You Can Tell the World
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream
Bleecker Street
Sparrow
Benedictus
Sound of Silence
He Was My Brother
Peggy-O
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Sun Is Burning
Times They Are A-Changin'
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
Bleecker Street [*][Demo Version]
He Was My Brother [Alternate Take 1][#][*]
Sun Is Burning [Alternate Take 12][#][*]

Album Description

Japanese reissue of 1964 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve, features 15 tracks including 3 bonus tracks, 'Bleeker Street' (Demo), 'He Was My Brother' (Alternate Take 1) & 'The Sun Is Burning' (Alternate Take 12). SME. 2003.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Average customer rating:

Wednesday Morning, 3 AM
Simon & Garfunkel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005NYRB
Release Date: 2002-03-04

Tracks:

You Can Tell the World
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream
Bleecker Street
Sparrow
Benedictus
Sound of Silence
He Was My Brother
Peggy-O
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Sun Is Burning
Times They Are A-Changin'
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
Bleecker Street [*][Demo Version]
He Was My Brother [Alternate Take 1][#][*]
Sun Is Burning [Alternate Take 12][#][*]

Album Details

Japanese Version with Three Bonus Tracks: 'bleecker Street,' 'he was My Brother' and 'the Sun is Burning.'

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review