Father and Son by Garfunkel and Garfunkel – Album Review

By Ellie Victor

What could have been a vanity project—a legendary musician teaming up with his son—turns out to be a touching, surprising, and above all, entertaining album of (mostly) easy listening. Father and Son by Art Garfunkel and Art Garfunkel Jr. is a heartfelt collection of covers that transcends its premise, delivering lush arrangements and the tender harmonies that only family can produce.

At 83, Art Garfunkel Sr. no longer possesses the soaring, angelic tones of his Simon & Garfunkel heyday, but his deeper, more grounded voice complements his son’s affecting falsetto beautifully. The result is a striking interplay of timbres, with father and son trading vocal leads and coming together for harmonies that feel instinctive and richly melodic.

Garfunkel and Garfunkel, 2024
image: Stefan Falke

“Tender”

The album opens with a velvety rendition of Blue Moon, elevated by a sweeping orchestral arrangement that sets the tone for the record. The father-son dynamic is especially poignant on Don McLean’s ‘Vincent’, where Art Sr. skilfully teases out the haunting melody, making it resonate anew. McCartney’s ‘Blackbird’ offers a jauntier moment, with staccato phrasing lending the track a fresh energy.

However, the most intriguing track is undoubtedly the reinterpretation of Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Old Friends’. The song, once a reflection on ageing and companionship, takes on a profound warmth here. Sung between father and son, it exudes a touching gravitas, reimagined as a meditation on legacy and connection.

The younger Garfunkel, a self-confessed 80s aficionado, shines on a tender version of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’. His falsetto leads the track, with his father joining to create a swelling chorus that underscores the song’s themes of enduring love and partnership. The Eurythmics’ electro classic ‘Here Comes the Rain Again’ is another standout, transformed by a dramatic string arrangement that Art Sr. seems to revel in, embracing the song’s theatrical potential.

“Timeless melodies”

The album concludes with its title track, Cat Stevens’ ‘Father and Son’. It’s an emotional high point, wringing every ounce of sentiment from the well-worn classic. The pair lean into the generational dialogue, creating a performance that is as heartfelt as it is powerful. Few could resist its ancestral pull, with father and son wringing out every drop of emotional resonance.

While Father and Son thrives on its emotional sincerity, the album also benefits from first-class production. Collaborating with producer Felix Gauder, string arranger Davide Rossi, and studio wizard Ash Howes, the pair weave modern orchestral textures with timeless melodies. Their shared love for the material shines through, whether revamping standards like ‘Blue Moon’ or embracing pop hits from the 1980s.

Ultimately, Father and Son is a record full of love—for music, for legacy, and for each other. Its tender harmonies and lush arrangements offer a window into the unique connection between a father and his son. Even the most hardened cynic might find themselves moved by its charm and celebration of family, music, and the timeless bonds that tie them together.
7/10