On July 26, 1966, one of the most significant studio sessions of Art Garfunkel’s career began. Together with Paul Simon, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, he recorded “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” at Columbia Records Studios in New York. Sixty years later, the recording remains one of the most recognized works of his musical career and is considered one of the defining songs of international folk music.

With his clear and unmistakable voice, Art Garfunkel gave the centuries-old English folk song a new sonic identity. The special impact of “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” was created through the combination of his distinctive vocal style, the duo’s harmonies, and the delicate guitar accompaniment. The restrained musical arrangement gave the recording a unique atmosphere and allowed the expressive power of Art Garfunkel’s voice to stand out.

The roots of the song likely date back to the 17th century. “Scarborough Fair” is one of England’s best-known traditional ballads and refers to the historic fair in Scarborough, located in the county of Yorkshire. For generations, the song was passed down orally and preserved in different versions. Its timeless melody and poetic storytelling made it an important part of English folk tradition.

When the folk revival developed on both sides of the Atlantic during the 1960s, the exploration of traditional folk songs became one of the influences that shaped Art Garfunkel’s musical work. The reinterpretation of “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” combined historic folk tradition with a modern arrangement and provided the ideal setting for his unmistakable voice to unfold its unique expressive power. To this day, the recording is regarded as one of the most impressive vocal performances of his career.

“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” was released on October 10, 1966, as part of the album “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme”. The single followed on February 13, 1968. Over the decades, the song became one of the most recognized titles in Art Garfunkel’s repertoire and remains one of the works that showcase his distinctive vocal style and artistic signature.

More than five decades later, the classic received another interpretation: On October 29, 2021, Art Garfunkel Jr. and René Kollo released their version of “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” on Art Garfunkel Jr.’s debut album “Wie du – Hommage an meinen Vater”.

Sixty years after the recording sessions began, “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” remains a milestone in Art Garfunkel’s extraordinary career and a powerful example of how his unmistakable voice transformed a traditional folk song into a worldwide classic.