A couple months ago, I reviewed Garfunkel, a "Best of" collection done in 1988. Since one album could never be enough to contain all of Garfunkel's best songs, this 1993 album is another collection of some of Art Garfunkel's best songs, spanning three decades.

Crying in the Rain, a delightful duet with James Taylor, is a song about a jilted lover determined not to let the one who hurt him see his pain. The harmonization here is beautiful, proving that Art Garfunkel doesn't need Paul Simon to do great harmony while showcasing the musical talent of a man Art Garfunkel has described as one of his five favorite songwriters (though this particular tune was written by Carole King and Howard Greenfield).

All I Know is the only song on the album which was also on Garfunkel, but it is done so differently that it almost feels like a different song. Gone are the dramatic dynamics, the soaring crescendo and super-high note climax, the extended piano solos. The piano certainly is showcased here, but the song feels much more subdued. This is the version that Art Garfunkel sang when he performed his concert in Erie. It's still a wonderful song, but I must admit that I still prefer the Angel Clare version.

Just Over the Brooklyn Bridge is a short song which was the theme song to the short-lived television drama Brooklyn Bridge.

The Sound of Silence is, of course, the song that launched Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel into stardom, but the version here is their original cut, without all the electric instruments added later. It feels very...cozy, almost. Nothing but two voices and an acoustic guitar. And you really get to hear the intricacies of the guitar playing, which was drowned out to some extent in the electrified version. I'm not still sure which version I prefer, but this one seems much more intimate.

Next up is the hilarious The Breakup, an improvised comedy sketch with Paul Simon. It features Art Garfunkel in the studio, attempting to explain to his fans the reasons that he and Paul Simon broke up, but he keeps getting interrupted by that pesky voice off to the side. "Artie, can I just say something here? You don't sound quite serious enough. Try to sound more...grave." "Try to play a little bit more on emphasizing the word disturbed." "I like that! I like the part about the separate commitment." "Artie, try to work it in that I'll be doing a major college tour this fall..." Sheesh! Anyone would find it hard to sound coherent while trying to constantly accommodate the barrage of advice, and Art's attempts to sound dramatic end up sounding quite silly when coupled with all of Paul's input...we never quite get to hear what he wanted to tell us, because the track ends with him hopelessly overcome with laughter. This is definitely one of my favorite tracks.

Skywriter begins with a lush piano introduction reminiscent of the familiar version of All I Know. Art Garfunkel then launches into this beautiful song which he has revealed is about his life in the 80s, when he was kind of "up in the air." Written by Jimmy Webb, it is painful and poignant. And I am taken back to when I saw him live each time I hear it, because this was recorded live and sounds almost exactly the same as it did two months ago. The incredible piano work, the swelling pianos, and of course Art Garfunkel's soaring voice bring out all the beauty in the melody and lyrics, and this is my other favorite track on the album.

The Decree is from The Animals' Christmas, a Christmas cantata written by Jimmy Webb and performed by Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant and a choir of children. Just re-released, the entire album is well worth having around at Christmas.

It's All in the Game is a short but sweet song about two people in love making up after a fight. One Less Holiday is also rather short, a sad song about a lonely man for whom the holidays are nothing but misery.

Since I Don't Have You is a wailer, demonstrating most effectively how miserable the speaker is without the one he loves. Two Sleepy People, from A League of their Own, is about a married couple drowsily enjoying one another's company and remembering how their love started.

Why Worry is an upbeat song that encourages optimism because bad things always happen, but they are eventually followed by happiness. The album ends with Jimmy Webb's All My Love's Laughter, which warns of the dangers of being beguiled by a charming lady.

The album cover features Art Garfunkel holding James, then still a baby. Inside is a list hand-lettered by Garfunkel of the songs on the album, their length, where they came from, and any other pertinent information. This is by no means an exhaustive album; indeed, I'm not sure if you could call it a "Best Of" album since several of the songs make their debut on this album. But it is well worth having for any Art Garfunkel fan and is sure to be a favorite played many times over.

Garfunkel reviews:
Up 'Til Now
Everything Waits to Be Noticed
Garfunkel
Songs from a Parent to a Child
The Animals' Christmas
Angel Clare
Across America - DVD
Pittsburgh in Concert
Erie in Concert
Art Garfunkel website

Recommended: Yes