Simon & Garfunkel Album: “Tom & Jerry”

Listening to "Tom & Jerry" is a bit like playing the TV game show "Wheel of Fortune" where you have to fill in the blanks; you spin the wheel and out comes the beginning of Simon & Garfunkel. No one should have any illusions that this is actually music like what we know as Simon & Garfunkel; so if you're into comparisons, this is not musically in the same ballpark as their later work. However, given that, this is a very interesting set that music collectors & S&G fans will find interesting, not uniformly brilliant. Basically, this is Art & Paul sounding like prototype Pat Boone with 50's croon. The sound quality is clean, and the early cuts are crystal clear in clarity.

Surprisingly, Art Garfunkel is very much of the writer here. The best track may be the opener "Dream Alone" with Art's beautiful tenor basically singing the title over & over; but the music very sweetly builds and shows the beauty of Art's gorgeous voice. Art also pens the second track, an uptempo track called "Beat Love," "A teenage heart is all confused; and many thoughts are often fused, school & clothes & love." An alternate version with harmony is the 3rd track. Paul Simon writes a soft ballad "Just A Boy" filled with teenage angst as only was expressed in 50's music. Paul gets some doo-wop chords going on "Play Me A Sad Song." "Flame" is Paul Simon dressed like Frankie Avalon while "Shy" sounds like the Fleetwoods. Paul gets close to a novelty song on "The Lone Teen Ranger." The sound quality begins to suffer a bit from here on. "Hey Schoolgirl" & "Our Song" are perky little Everly Bros-sounding #s penned by both Art & Paul. "True Or False" bops with an Elvis swagger. The CD concludes with an instrumental "Simon Says." For anyone looking for a polished piece of music, this isn't it. It's more like musical memorabilia; but when they're good, they're VERY nice. Enjoy!

This is a got-to-have for anyone who loves Simon & Garfunkel. Not only does it bring to life the whole era that they grew from but it is beautifully put together and as professional as all their later work. The Tom & Jerry album has nostalgic value but it really belongs in the S&G collection based on its own merits. This album really impressed on me that S & G's musical power was there right from their youth; its not as if their stuff was in the "learner" stage. It seems to me that some people have just always had it. I guess S&G are gifted in their skills and eachother.

It's quite a trip to hear Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel when they used other names as artists! Paul as True Taylor is a hoot! He is trying very hard to sound like Elvis! The early Tom and Jerry and Tico and the Triumphs material is mint! You will love the incredible talent these guys had then and continue to have now. Well worth the price and listen! Purchase it, and you won't be disappointed! Joe Scibetta

If you are a collector of music, listen to what the boys sounded like before they became men. Simon in his claim to fame, Garfunkel's sweet voice, evident even as a teen. For the serious S and G collector only

I once owned an original copy of "Hey Schoolgirl/Dancin wild." It became far too scratched up to play. "Hey Schoolgirl" is truly an excellent emulation of the Everly Brothers. I always thought it shoud have been a bigger hit than it was. Travis & Bob also had the Everly sound on the top ten hit "Tell Him No." I did not consider Travis & Bob and their one big hit as good as Tom & Jerry. "Our song" and Dancin Wild" are just OK in their Everly sound. "Hey Schoolgirl" displayed real talent.

The solos on this album are OK. I was very happy when they became reunited as Simon & Garfunkel and recorded such truly exceptional music.