A Gem and A Minor Masterpiece - Almost Perfect! - Scissors Cut reminds me so much of NYC as it was the one album I seemed to play over and over - and A Heart in New York is nothing less than a great valentine to that city. This is beautifully crafted masterpiece of a record with one outstanding song after another, Scissors Cut, with the legendary background vocals of Leah Kunkel (a name more music lovers need to know - she backs up James Taylor on his classic JT album), Up in the World, the stunning, classic Bright Eyes, Can t Turn My Eyes Away, as subtle and fine a love song as has ever been written, leading to a trio of songs that ends with That s All I ve Got to Say, a short, tender coda to a remarkable collection. There was some thought and care put into the song collection to create an overall feeling - and except for the rock tinged, Hang on In, every song seems to flow into the other with real grace. Garfunkel s vocals, as the years go on, only seem more magificent and timeless. I think this stands as one of his finest achievments. A real classic!
Quality music at a great price - There is much to like about this album, although it falls a little short of the very high standard set in Art Garfunkel s four earlier solo albums: Angel Clare (1974), Breakaway (1975), Watermark (1977) and Fate for Breakfast (1979). You know what to expect from the cover photo, which features Art in a dinner jacket and bow tie. The tracks are beautifully arranged and orchestrated, and the support cast includes some of the best session musicians in the business. The tracks are gentle and elegant, and feature Art s signature tune, A Heart in New York, and the popular Bright Eyes from the animated movie Watership Down. I bought a now well worn LP version on original release way back in 1981, and to my ear this transfer is not as sonorous as the original rendering. I have always found the ethereal quality of Art s vocals particularly suited to the nostalgic, romantic repertoire. He requires great songs and arrangements to showcase his prodigious talent. We get that here, with the possible exception of Hang On, which is a piece of late 1970s fizz and sounds very dated. The other tracks are well worth the discounted price.
it is too bad - 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 - 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.
Scissors Cut, Hearts Broken - 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.