1001 Albums Summary

Favourite tracks were Scarborough Fair/Canticle, The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine, A Simple Desultory Philippic, For Emily Whenever I May Find Her & A Poem on the Underground Wall. Sound collages and slapback echoes permeate this album - with arrangements made to protest, satirise modern commercialism, pop culture, urban isolation and the loss of American innocence and peace during the turbulent mid 1960s with the civil rights movement, Vietnam war and mass violence (with the end track being Silent Night and 7’O clock News). Hailed as a critical masterpiece and reshaped trajectory of folk-rock. Established Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel as counter-cultural poets. Multi decade grudge between them and Martin Carthy over arrangement of Scarborough Fair. Artist autonomy over albums sonic texture with Bob Johnston and Roy Halee. Cohesive long form piece of art rather than singles driven market.

Not my favourite album ever! But Runaway child, Running Wild was a fantastic Mo-Town leaning less traditional and more into socially conscious psychedelic soul. Cautionary tale about the danger of running away from home - inspired by real life articles of child runaways.

Immaculate.

A classic album covering hit blues, r&b and Motown songs and transforming them into distinct southern soul. Rolling Stones’ satisfaction, The Temptations “My girl”. He wrote “respect” in 1965 and Aretha Franklin made it her anthem in 67. Loved Ole Man Trouble which was a song written by him!!