120,000+ Classic Rock Album Covers Database (1948-2026): Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)

Monday, March 9, 2020

Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966) | Review, Fun Facts & Trivia

Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)

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Simon & Garfunkel – Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966): Album Review, Tracklist & Trivia

Introduction to Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme is the third studio album by American folk duo Simon & Garfunkel, released on October 24, 1966, by Columbia Records.

The album showcases a mature, sophisticated sound, combining folk roots with poetic lyrics, intricate harmonies, and innovative studio arrangements. It solidified Simon & Garfunkel’s status as leaders of the 1960s folk-rock movement.

Background and Recording

Following the success of Sounds of Silence (1966), the duo entered the studio with greater creative freedom and an expanded musical palette.

Key aspects of the recording:

Collaborative work with producer Bob Johnston
More elaborate arrangements, including orchestral and percussive textures
Emphasis on poetic and socially conscious lyrics
Combination of acoustic folk with subtle electric instrumentation

The album reflects the duo’s artistic growth, moving beyond simple folk into a more textured and sophisticated sound.

Musical Style and Sound

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme blends:

Folk
Folk-rock
Acoustic-based orchestration with light electric elements
Poetic and introspective lyrics

Key characteristics:

Complex vocal harmonies
Social and political themes (“The Dangling Conversation,” “Patterns”)
Romantic and contemplative storytelling (“Scarborough Fair/Canticle”)
Minimal yet inventive instrumentation

This album is considered one of the duo’s most artistically ambitious releases, bridging traditional folk with modern lyrical themes.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966) Tracklist

The album includes 12 tracks:

Scarborough Fair/Canticle
Patterns
Cloudy
Homeward Bound
The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)
The Dangling Conversation
Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall
A Simple Desultory Philippic
For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her
A Poem on the Underground Wall
7 O’Clock News/Silent Night

The tracklist balances social commentary, romantic ballads, and experimental arrangements, demonstrating the duo’s versatility.

Album Credits

Simon & Garfunkel

Paul Simon – vocals, acoustic guitar, songwriting
Art Garfunkel – vocals, harmonies

Additional Musicians

Studio session musicians for orchestral and percussive elements

Production

Produced by Bob Johnston
Released by Columbia Records
Recorded in New York City, United States

The production emphasizes harmony-driven arrangements and creative instrumental textures while keeping a folk sensibility.

Reception and Legacy

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme was critically acclaimed and reached #30 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Key points of legacy:

“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” became an international hit and a defining Simon & Garfunkel song
The album helped define 1960s folk-rock through poetic lyricism and innovative arrangements
It influenced later folk, rock, and singer-songwriter artists
Known for blending political and personal themes in a refined musical context

Fun Facts About Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

The album title comes from the traditional English folk song “Scarborough Fair”, symbolizing themes of herbs, memory, and love.
“7 O’Clock News/Silent Night” overlays a reading of contemporary news events on a traditional carol, demonstrating political and artistic experimentation.
The album represents Simon & Garfunkel’s first major use of experimental studio techniques, such as counter-melodies and orchestration.
It helped solidify their reputation as innovative folk artists with social awareness.

Trivia

Bob Johnston, the producer, also worked with Bob Dylan, influencing the folk-rock sound of the album.
Several tracks were inspired by personal experiences and social observations in mid-1960s America.
“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” became a top-charting single worldwide, influencing folk arrangements for decades.

Did You Know?

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme helped establish Art Garfunkel as one of the era’s most distinct vocalists, complementing Paul Simon’s songwriting.
The album inspired film soundtracks, cover versions, and cultural references, including in The Graduate era.
The combination of poetic lyrics, folk melodies, and subtle orchestration became a hallmark of Simon & Garfunkel’s signature style.