Thank you for this! I’ve only heard the essential compilation of S&G, never bothered to go album by album. As an artist myself I both understand and feel frustrated by the ways that even in a legendary duo like this, there were bound to be rifts and breakups and misunderstandings. There will always be an idealistic part of me that wants great art to be two pals staying together. Human, all too human.
Just saw The Graduate recently too and I loved that backstory! Thanks!
Back in the summer of 1968 I was 13 years old, attending summer camp in PA. A kid known to us as Bunky told us that he could get us any records we wanted, give him a list and his father would bring them down on parents visiting weekend. One of the albums I chose was Bookends. The kids father was the great producer Tom Dowd. We all got our package of records, each set packed in a large manila envelope and left on our respective bunks. I thanked Mr. Dowd having no idea until a a couple of years later as to who this man was. He produced Cream, Aretha the Allmans. Wish I had stayed in touch with Bunky (LOL).
Thank you for this! I’ve only heard the essential compilation of S&G, never bothered to go album by album. As an artist myself I both understand and feel frustrated by the ways that even in a legendary duo like this, there were bound to be rifts and breakups and misunderstandings. There will always be an idealistic part of me that wants great art to be two pals staying together. Human, all too human.
Just saw The Graduate recently too and I loved that backstory! Thanks!
Back in the summer of 1968 I was 13 years old, attending summer camp in PA. A kid known to us as Bunky told us that he could get us any records we wanted, give him a list and his father would bring them down on parents visiting weekend. One of the albums I chose was Bookends. The kids father was the great producer Tom Dowd. We all got our package of records, each set packed in a large manila envelope and left on our respective bunks. I thanked Mr. Dowd having no idea until a a couple of years later as to who this man was. He produced Cream, Aretha the Allmans. Wish I had stayed in touch with Bunky (LOL).
Great post Robert to an album that remains one of my favorites in their catalogue. The spring of 1968 was not a very pretty time in the USA.
Always partial to a bit of S&G Robert, and I think it just adds to the appreciation knowing they could sing but not live in harmony!
For me though it will always be BOTW top of the pile, particularly 'The Boxer'.
Thanks for reminding me of a lot of great songs I'd forgotten existed.