The Paul Simon Songbook (1965)
In Japan The Paul Simon Songbook was released in 1969. The album was, because of the Simon & Garfunkel success in this country, re-titled: ‘ Simon before Garfunkel. Recorded in 1964′. Garfunkel was (and is) not to be heard. Not only the Japanse put this warning on their cover, also CBS France put stickers on the CBS EP 6211: Simon sans Garfunkel (which means translated: Simon without Garfunkel)
What makes this Japanese release so special, is that it is a MONO version. Not so special want tends to say. But if you listen close to it, it has less echo compared to the stereo editon (lp) and to the cd. And there’s a slight change in the vocal. ‘ I am a rock’ for instance sounds more ‘ direct’ (lesser higher-notes). The single released in 1965 (CBS 1797) also has this difference.
‘ Simon before Garfunkel. Recorded in 1964′ (CBS SONY SONY 60054 ; SX68 Sound Series ; MONAURAL)
