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The Friday Five – Five films, songs, books or something else of interest.

Art Garfunkel is one of my favorite singers, his voice is velvet and angelic. I have to admit that I’ve posted one of more blogs about him, so I shamelessly decided to post another. I’ve divided this into S&G and solo categories, just so I could list more than five.

As a solo artist, Garfunkel has had an uneven career. For most of the 1970’s, he released some fine albums, after that, his new music releases were occasional.

I saw him in concert in the 1990’s and got to meet him and his band. I thought his voice was probably 90 percent of his S&G days, and for some reason, he was still a heavy smoker. I never understood that. In more recent years he had vocal cord issues but has regained enough of his singing voice to continue on, usually with his son Art Jr. Age has of course shaved off the upper part of his register, which is a shame, but part of life.

“Traveling Boy” From his 1973 album, Angel Claire, co-produced by Roy Halee, his S&G producer. This song was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols (“We’ve Only Just Begun”, “”Rainy Days and Mondays”). The production and musical nuances are very 1970’s and terrific.

“Disney Girls” Written by Beach Boy Bruce Johnston, who recorded it first. Garfunkel recorded it for his 1975 album Breakaway. Produced by Richard Perry and Garfunkel’s most successful album.

“99 Miles From L.A.” (1975) Also from Breakaway, it’s a moody, noorish love song. Written by Albert Hammond and Hal David who had a hit with it and recorded by other artists.

“Crying in My Sleep” (1976) Watermark. An album of songs written by Jimmy Webb. I asked Webb about working with Garfunkel and he sighed, telling me it was a difficult time helping Garfunkel get what he wanted. It was not perfection as much as realizing what he heard in his head. “Crying in My Sleep” was released as a single, not much of a chart hit, yet a very fine song.

“Scissors Cut” (1981) Title track from his album co-produced by Halee. This album consists of songs from a variety of songwriters, and this song written by Webb. The standout track from the album.

With Simon & Garfunkel, he shared lead with Simon and sang primary lead on a couple of songs on each album.

“April Comes She Will” Sounds of Silence (1966)

“For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her” From Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966).

“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” From Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966).

“So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright” Bridge over Troubled Water (1970)

“Bridge over Troubled Water” Bridge over Troubled Water (1970)

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No one has a voice like Garfunkel in his prime.