Search - Art Garfunkel :: Scissors Cut

Scissors Cut, Hearts Broken

Mr. K. O'brien | Blackpool, Lancashire United Kingdom | 02/17/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Art Garfunkel's 1981 offering is one of his most overlooked pieces of music. It is filled with fairly low-key production, and is certainly far away from what 1981 is famous for. That is, somehow, make it feel all that more special.



Coming closely after the death of his girlfriend, it is natural several songs are related to her ('In Cars', especially, in which Paul Simon adds vocals), and the aspect of lost love, or doubt about love does tend to dominate the album, in fact it is dedicated to his loss.



Having said that, there are some superb tunes here, including the album opener A Heart In New York (of which superb live versions exist on Concert In Central Park and the brilliant Across America) and the ever so sweet Can't Turn My Heart Away.



In Cars is a Jimmy Webb effort, and includes lyrics from Scarborough Fair from years gone by ~ Remember me to one who lives there, She once was a true love of mine ~ As stated earlier, directed at his lost partner, but Jimmy's best effort here is Scissors Cut, a wonderful ballad of two lost lovers.



Some songs on here can sometimes feel a little unnecessary, though The Romance (which rarely appears on this album in the UK or US) is brilliant, featuring soaring vocals from Art, it is unmissable, so if it is not on your album, make sure you find it!



In all, this is not Art's best solo effort, but the theme and general sound can often take you far away from reality ~ And sometimes that is needed! Any Art fan should have this album."

It is too bad

a | 01/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is by far one of my favorites. Some might dismiss it as lyrically and perhaps musically inferior to the Garfunkel sound. This is really quite tragic, as I see the songs on the album a perfect reflection of who and what Garfunkel stand for. I am 24 years old and was not even alive when the album was released so I cannot compare it to pop music of the time--although I never really classified Art Garfunkel as pop---more as Art Music. What I can say is that his voice, the way he chooses to use it, the songs he chooses to utilize it in, and the lyrics he expresses have touched me. He is an artist in this album in the sense that he knows himself and what he wants to say to the listener. If you are looking for the sensitive Garfunkel displaying his usual sensitive tenor voice, then this album is for you. It might even be classified as a concept album as it takes you through the journey of love."

An OK album

andy8047 | Nokomis,Florida | 03/29/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The only memorable song from this album is A HEART IN NEW YORK by Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle. This album was released around the spring or summer of 1981. Art Garfunkel performed AHINY live while recording THE CONCERT IN CENTRAL PARK with Paul Simon in 1981. Before the performance,Garfunkel tells the audience that the song was one of the very few that wasn't composed by Simon. The other songs are OK."