Fifty years ago this October, “The Sounds of Silence” made an inauspicious debut on a little-noticed album called “Wednesday Morning, 3 a.m.” by Simon and Garfunkel. Months later producer Tom Wilson added electric guitar, bass and pounding drums to the track. The song was released as a single in September, 1965 and became a No. 1 hit. Songwriter and guitarist Paul Simon, who turns 73 on October 13, had started performing with singer Art Garfunkel when they were still school kids in Queens. As Tom and Jerry, they recorded the minor hit “Hey, Schoolgirl.” First with Garfunkel and then as a solo, Simon would produce an extraordinary body of work. From “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to “Still Crazy After All These Years” to “Graceland,” Simon explored diverse musical styles marked by memorable melodies and a literate, inventive, poignant appreciation of the human condition. Through recordings, discussion and examples played live on guitar, “The Sounds of Simon” touches on Simon’s many triumphs, as well as disappointments and controversies. Taught by musician and guitar teacher Peter King, it’s a brief, insightful look at Simon’s long, illustrious career.
Age limit: All ages