This is the most cost effective way to own the entire Simon and Garfunkel catalog. From 1964's Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. to 1970's Bridge over Troubled Water you get every track from the five studio albums recorded by the most successful duo of the rock era. And the sound quality is fantastic. Even for casual fans of folk-rock, this is an essential addition to your music collection.

Granted, this is not a perfect collection. There are stray tracks that didn't make this set that eventually found there way onto 1997's Old Friends box set--which is what makes that collection such a disappointment. If you own Collected Works, you're asked to shell out an additional $45 for about a dozen hard-to-find or previously unreleased songs on Old Friends along with a lot of duplication.

If you have to choose between between the two--stick with Collected Works. The only real disappointment (and it's a minor one) is that Columbia didn't go the whole nine yards with the 43-page booklet. Sure, it includes each album cover and lyrics (a nice touch), but where are the additional photos? Where are recording dates and musician credits? Where's the essay and history of the group? Where are the interviews? For a group as influential as Simon and Garfunkel, you would have thought Columbia would have treated this project with the same thouroughness as the Old Friends box set. I guess they figured the music would speak for itself--and it does. ESSENTIAL

The 5-star reviews below -- and some of the accompanying comments -- only tell part of the story.

Although "Collected Works" includes all the recordings from S&G's 5 original studio albums, other tracks -- such as B-sides of singles and previously unreleased material -- are missing. Additionally, the sound quality of this collection is simply wretched.

In contrast, the "Old Friends" box set features virtually every essential album cut (sans a couple of disappointing omissions from the "Sounds Of Silence" and "Parsley Sage" albums). Plus bonus live tracks, rare B-sides, and unreleased studio material. It also includes "My Little Town." Best of all, everything's been impressively remastered. It's a joy to listen to.

Of course... if my math is correct, with 3 CDs each holding up to 79 minutes each... ALL the studio tracks could have fit into the "Old Friends" box set, along with all or nearly all the bonus tracks. But why give fans everything in one package when you can make them buy two or three multi-disc sets, right, Columbia?

Purely on the basis of quality of material -- I mean, come on guys, these are some of the best songs and records ever -- this set easily rates 5 stars. As a "complete" S&G collection, 4 stars. But -- and this is a big but -- in terms of sound quality, 2 stars.

What to buy? If you can only afford one 3-CD set, go with "Old Friends" instead -- that collection merits a 5/4/4 rating. Then wait for the individual albums to be remastered, hopefully sometime in 2001.

Are you a big S&G fan? I know I am...an hugely avid one in fact. Well then my advice to you is NOT to buy some silly compilation with only the big hits and a few "unreleased extras " *cough-oldfriendsboxset-cough*. This is a great resource, a good solid 3-disc set with ALL FIVE complete S&G albums. Think of it as a CONSOLIDATION of all three in a more affordable format. (It's also great if you have all their albums on your old LPs and you want to switch over to CD but not break the proverbial bank.) Obviously, this set contains all the hits, as well as all the album tunes, many of which are dazzlingly unappreciated. The best part of this set is that it includes the least-known album "Wednesday Morning 3AM," which is a beautifully simple, accoustic, and earnest album. (Without being painfully earnest--it's great music too!) SO, if you're looking for the definitve S&G resource, start here with this set of ALL the ALBUMS. Maybe later someone will give you some "unreleased stuff" for your birthday or something if you really pine for it.

Growing up during the sixtes meant listening to Simon & Garfunkel. This collection contains all one would want or need from them in their day. This collection presents it the way it was. No additions, no commentary, no filler of outtakes. This it seems to me is just the way this great body of music was meant to be remembered.

Hearing "I Am A Rock", "Hazy Shade of Winter" and of course, "The Dangling Conversation" reminds one of how plaintive the vocals were, and how only their hauntingly provocative lyrics could complement this pair of voices. What a shame that they could grow old and perhaps greater together.

Of course, "Seven O'Clock News/Silent Night" still puts chills up and down my spine in a way no other piece of music ever has since.

I owned a copy of this collection on vinyl. Somehow, between moves and relationships, it walked away, never to be replaced. It is so good to find it on disc. A must have.

They're all here. All 5 albums of Simon and Garfunkel, complete with a book containing all the lyrics. What more could you ask for? Forget the "Greatest Hits" CD. This package has everything. If you love their music as much as I do, You'll want to purchase this one. It's worth it.