Simon & Garfunkel – Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1994 Reissue): Album Review, Tracklist & Trivia
Introduction to Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. is the debut studio album by American folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. The original release was in 1964, and this 1994 reissue brought remastered sound quality to a new generation of listeners.
The album captures the duo’s early folk sound, emphasizing delicate acoustic arrangements, harmonies, and introspective lyrics, marking the beginning of their iconic career.
Background and Recording
Recorded in 1964, the original album was largely influenced by:
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The burgeoning folk scene in New York’s Greenwich Village
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Acoustic guitar-based arrangements
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Poetic and socially aware lyrics
The 1994 reissue remastered the original tracks, enhancing clarity and balance while preserving the album’s vintage folk character. It includes the classic “The Sound of Silence” (acoustic version), which later became a hit in its electric arrangement.
Musical Style and Sound
The album showcases:
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Folk and acoustic music
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Soft vocal harmonies
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Minimalist instrumentation (mainly guitar and occasional piano)
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Lyrical storytelling with introspection and social awareness
It represents Simon & Garfunkel at their most innocent and raw, before the electric and orchestral experimentation of later albums like Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.
Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1994 Reissue) Tracklist
The reissued album contains 12 tracks:
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You Can Tell the World
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Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream
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Bleecker Street
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Sparrow
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Benedictus
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The Sound of Silence
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He Was My Brother
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Peggy-O
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Go Tell It on the Mountain
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The Sun Is Burning
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The Dangling Conversation (bonus track/remastered edition)
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Somewhere They Can’t Find Me (bonus track/remastered edition)
The tracklist combines traditional folk covers and original Simon & Garfunkel compositions, highlighting their early artistic range.
Album Credits
Simon & Garfunkel
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Paul Simon – vocals, acoustic guitar
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Art Garfunkel – vocals
Additional Musicians
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Limited session musicians on piano, percussion, and backing instruments
Production
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Produced by Tom Wilson
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Original label: Columbia Records
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Remastered for reissue: 1994
The remastering preserved the album’s folk authenticity while improving sound quality for contemporary listeners.
Reception and Legacy
While the original 1964 release had modest commercial success, the album gained attention with the later single “The Sound of Silence”, which became a #1 hit in 1965 after electric overdubs.
The 1994 reissue was praised for:
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Preserving the classic folk sound
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Introducing the album to a new generation of listeners
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Highlighting Simon & Garfunkel’s harmonic precision and lyrical sophistication
The album remains a key historical piece in American folk music.
Most Popular Songs from the Album
The Sound of Silence
The duo’s most famous track, initially acoustic, later remixed with electric instruments to become a hit.
Bleecker Street
A lyrical snapshot of Greenwich Village life, showcasing early Paul Simon songwriting.
Sparrow
An early original composition blending folk storytelling and delicate harmonies.
Fun Facts About Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
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The album title refers to the early morning recording sessions and symbolizes the duo’s humble beginnings.
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“The Sound of Silence” was originally overlooked before its electric remix became a hit.
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The album includes several traditional folk covers, showing Simon & Garfunkel’s roots in American folk music.
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The 1994 reissue restored original album artwork and liner notes, appealing to collectors.
Trivia
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The original 1964 release sold poorly at first, with only a few thousand copies, but it gained importance after Columbia Records promoted the duo post-1965 success.
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Tom Wilson, the producer, was responsible for the electric overdubs on “The Sound of Silence”, which helped launch their mainstream career.
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Many tracks reflect socially conscious themes popular in the 1960s folk revival.
Did You Know?
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The 1994 reissue made the album widely available on CD for the first time, including bonus tracks.
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Simon & Garfunkel were only college students when recording the original album.
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“Benedictus” is adapted from a 16th-century Renaissance hymn, highlighting the duo’s interest in classical and traditional melodies.
Simon & Garfunkel: Biography, Members, Discography, and Legacy
Who Are Simon & Garfunkel?
Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk-rock duo consisting of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, formed in New York City in 1957. Known for their intricate harmonies, poetic lyrics, and melodic compositions, they became one of the most iconic acts of the 1960s. Their music bridged folk, rock, and pop, influencing countless artists worldwide.
The duo achieved global success with hits like “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, selling over 100 million records and earning multiple Grammy Awards.
Paul Simon – Singer, Guitarist, and Songwriter
Paul Simon was born October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Early Life and Family
Paul grew up in a Jewish family and showed early talent in music. He met Art Garfunkel in school, and the two became friends and later musical collaborators.
Studies and Musical Development
Paul attended Queens College, New York, but left to focus on his music career. He was influenced by folk, jazz, and Latin music, which shaped the duo’s signature sound.
Personal Life
Paul Simon has been married multiple times and has five children. Beyond Simon & Garfunkel, he also enjoyed a prolific solo career, including acclaimed albums like Graceland (1986).
Art Garfunkel – Singer and Vocalist
Art Garfunkel was born November 5, 1941, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York.
Early Life and Family
Art also grew up in a Jewish household and attended Queens College, where he studied mathematics and later earned a Master’s in mathematics.
Musical Talent
Art’s angelic tenor voice became a defining element of the duo’s sound. He also pursued a career in acting, appearing in films like Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge.
Personal Life
Art Garfunkel has been married and has two children. He continues to perform as a solo artist and occasionally reunites with Paul Simon for concerts.
Formation and Early Career
The duo met in elementary school in Queens, New York. Initially performing as “Tom & Jerry” in the late 1950s, they released several singles before adopting the name Simon & Garfunkel in the early 1960s.
Their breakthrough came with the album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964), featuring early folk compositions. Although initially a commercial failure, their fortunes changed after the song “The Sound of Silence” was remixed with electric instruments and became a massive hit in 1965.
Discography
Studio Albums
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Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964)
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Sounds of Silence (1966)
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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
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Bookends (1968)
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Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
Compilation & Live Albums
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Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits (1972)
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The Concert in Central Park (1982) – live reunion performance
Most Popular Songs
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The Sound of Silence
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Mrs. Robinson
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
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Scarborough Fair / Canticle
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The Boxer
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Cecilia
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America
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Homeward Bound
These songs are celebrated for their lyrical depth, harmonies, and timeless melodies.
Awards and Achievements
Simon & Garfunkel won 10 Grammy Awards, including:
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Album of the Year – Bridge Over Troubled Water (1971)
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Record of the Year – Bridge Over Troubled Water (1971)
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Best Contemporary Song – Mrs. Robinson (1969)
They were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
Fun Facts About Simon & Garfunkel
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They performed a legendary concert in Central Park (1981) attended by over 500,000 people.
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“The Sound of Silence” was originally recorded as an acoustic folk song, later electrified for radio play.
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Paul Simon wrote many of the duo’s hits, while Art’s harmonies gave them a distinctive sound.
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The duo briefly reunited in the 1980s and 1990s for tours but often had a turbulent relationship.
Did You Know?
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Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel first performed together as teenagers under the name Tom & Jerry.
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“Bridge Over Troubled Water” was inspired by gospel music and features Art Garfunkel’s soaring lead vocals.
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The duo’s influence extends across folk, rock, and pop music, inspiring artists from Bob Dylan to Coldplay.
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Despite their fame, they had a complicated personal and professional relationship, contributing to their eventual split in 1970.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Simon & Garfunkel’s music remains a defining voice of 1960s America, blending social commentary with poetic storytelling. Their songs continue to be covered, featured in films, and celebrated worldwide.
They are considered one of the most influential duos in music history, bridging the gap between folk and mainstream rock while inspiring generations of musicians.
Download Simon & Garfunkel albums from Amazon
Simon & Garfunkel Full Discography: Complete Guide to Albums & Covers Collection (1964-2008)
More Albums:
Simon & Garfunkel - Sounds of Silence (1966)
Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends (1968)
Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge over Troubled Water (1970)
Simon & Garfunkel - The Concert in Central Park (Live) (1982)
Simon & Garunkel - Live from New York City, 1967 (2002)
Simon & Garfunkel - Old Friends: Live on Stage (Live) (2004)
