Sound Of Silence – Duo Session
Hello darkness, my old friend …
It surprises us to say this, but this song means so much more to us now that we have spent so many hours singing, practising and then ultimately recording it.
It was one of those songs that we felt we knew inside out for years, but every time we would play it in preparation of this Duo Session the words and meaning would deepen a little. By the end, we almost understood its true meaning 😉
A masterpiece written by Paul Simon and one of the reasons he is one of our favourite writers.
Oh, and it’s also Mona’s debut on bass (if you don’t count the little Uke bass in Junk)!
Mona & Lisa
This is one of Paul Simon’s greatest songs – and he was just 21 years old when he wrote it. The harmonies of Paul and Art on their version are sublime. You two have made a beautiful MLT version that pays homage to this classic from the 1960s. I can feel just how much the song means to both of you as you sing Paul’s amazing lyrics – and play his music. I’m so glad you chose to do this song. Thanks for sharing your wonderful take on the song. For me… Simon and Garfunkel are only surpassed by The Beatles.
Sitting outside watching a lightning storm. It’s a distant storm with no rain here. The distant strikes are lighting the cloud filled skies bright white. They seem to be in perfect time with the music. Oh, crap. Here comes the rain!
I haven’t found the words to describe this one yet but Mona does great on the bass.
Great cover of Sound of silence, beautiful song, I hope it will be on Duo Sessins 2. I would love that one day you will do covers of Peter&Gordon songs like (i do not want to see you again, Nobody I Know, I go to pieces and to Know You is to love you). Also Never my love, No fair at all, by The Association. Merci pour toute les bonnes chansons.
I’m still cutting my rookie teeth here on the MLT Club site. But my God that is a great rendition!
I was still very young when the original was popular, but it was a standout. I was admittedly a bit shocked at the “Disturbed” version but once over the initial WTH? I grew to appreciate the passion in it.
But this version has both the bitter tears and angry emotion of each previous version rolled into it.
Super job girls!
Mona’s perfection on the bass uke along with Lisa’s deft melodic touch on the acoustic…awesome!
So as I mentioned earlier, get a tissue listening to this one folks. Wow so lovely. Lisa what a excellent job with the guitar work and picking the cords and riffs, Paul Simon has to have heard this by now and feel proud. Mona again your steady bass playing and harmony is spot on.
Love it!
Bill and Maddie Isenberg Huge Fans From Pittsburgh PA USA
Quite simply . . . Stunning.
Wow. Only just found this vid . How did I miss it.I’ve played it over and over. I’ve enjoyed everything you have done and always think the latest offering is the pinnacle. But again you have produced this little beauty and I don’t mind admitting it’s left me feeling quite emotional. Excellent. Love you pair. Can’t wait for the next surprise.xx
This is one of my favorite songs from the duo. I have the whole discography complete…. and I listen to his music very often…. I think the rok version of this album, “Sound Of Silence”, also had one of my favorite tracks “Baker Street”…. unforgettable group…. Thank you twins for this lovely version of this beautiful classic. Their voices sound very dreary….. You have touched the sky with this song!… USA and the World heard the streets mute with the Sound of Silence, again, but this time because of the pandemic.
Absolutely gorgeous rendition of a beautiful song. This gave me goosebumps.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
When Simon & Garfunkel recorded their first live album in Central Park 1981 with 500,000 fans listening and it was free.
When they played that song it was like you could hear it from space. Neon lights were definitely shining on them. They had a complete Orchestra accompanying them. There is just the 2 of you and it sounds just as good, if not better as that night in
September of 1981. You both are so GOOOOOOD!!!! I just Love the way you do it!!!! I will keep listening and saying that.
You make me happy. Groovy, Walt Music
When Simon & Garfunkel played “The Sound of Silence” live at the 1981 Central Park concert… they did it with just the two of them singing and Paul on his acoustic guitar. There was no orchestra accompanying them on the performance of that song. Here is a link to the video of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2bd1zp_q6Y
This song begins at 1:15:54 into the video.
Listening to Sounds of Silence?
Yes, it was another great light show with a lot of syncs!
Huge crazy thunderstorms tonight. Guess what I am doing.
I really liked how JP listened to it, that must have been a trip!
I don’t know how many times I have listened to it but I think I like it better than Simon & Garfunkel’s original. They had a session of musicians and there is just 2 of you with a bell on your toe. Outstanding beginning to an explosive finish!!!!!
Thank you! Walt Music
So good!! Thank you so much for sharing! I have been secretly hoping for a Simon & Garfunkel Duo Session for a bit… 🙂
I think you have done a wonderful job in doing justice to both the original and your own style.
We had a big lightning storm tonight. So I popped in my earbuds, cued “Sounds of Silence” and headed outside. It was a light rain, but crazy lightning.
Wow, what a soundtrack! Just as you sang “when my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light”, a HUGE bolt of lightning streaked across the sky followed by a perfectly synced boom of thunder. It was so kool. A lot of the flashes were syncing with the music. And then as the last chord was strummed there was a bunch of little flashes in the sky. It was surreal beyond belief.
It was so much fun hearing your beautiful voices accompanied by flashing bolts of lightning and a thunderous percussion section, or was that thunderous applause? This Duo Session is definitely worthy of Heaven’s applause.
Every Monday should end like this. ⚡️????⚡️
JP
Thank you ladies, that was gorgeous.
WOW!!! Just blown away(again) by your ability to take a classic,and breathe new life into it.Thank You for your gift to all of us,on your Birthday.Have you ladies ever considered doing a version of Sir Paul’s Bluebird for one of the Duo Sessions(just asking/hoping).Hope your Birthday was as special as the two of you.
Love and Hugs to Team MLT(extra bigs Birthday Hugs for Mona & Lisa).
Lisa,love the Beret.and Mona love the cap(very John Lennon HELP!)
It´s amazing how you can make the song so famous and much covered song still sound fresh and put a new twist into it. Those harmonies !! Great bass work, Mona !!
Exquisite!
Echoing what the other Thomas said, it feels like this song was written for you. It’s a masterpiece of a song and it shows in your performance. I listened to it over and over, in mono too, and it still felt like harmonic cinemascope. Perfection all around!
Have been waiting for this one! Love it! Thank you!
A great song and two great voices in perfect harmony – wunderbar!
Wow! It was your birthday, yet we received the gift. This is simply stunning! I will be listening to this one again and again. I hope you both had a wonderful birthday, and as always, look forward to what you do next. Nachträglich alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
WOW! I am speechless! BRAVO LADIES! It’s a no brainer that you 2 should do this song! It’s like Paul wrote it with you 2 in mind!
Beautifully sung by two talented and beautiful women!!!
Mona & Lisa – this is a beautiful rendition (no surprise).
“Sounds of Silence” is actually one of the only S&G songs I always thumb down whenever it appears in my Pandora, Spotify, or YouTube site-generated playlist*. The song is haunting, and lovely – and very sad. Depressing, really.
I once heard someone commenting on this song say she agreed that graffiti artists really are prophetic. My immediate thought was, “You do realize that’s a pronouncement by a sinister entity, right?” The song presents a vivid, dystopian vision (in dulcet harmonies). I turn to music to lift up my spirit, first and foremost, which is why I do not regularly listen to this song. (This one, and “I Am A Rock”.)
(*Until Pentatonix’s version came up. That one I keep. And now I’ll keep two.)
Sometimes I wonder whether you’re aware of the effect your work has on people. You never seem to try to make a statement, you just do. I’d wager this is not the first time you’ve elicited a lump in the throat multiple times over, intercontinentally. Seeing you do what you love to do is a genuine spark of joy that transforms a run-of-the-mill day into the best one you’ve had since…oh, yeah, the last Duo Session release. At thirteen bucks a month, American, I can’t help but feel like I’m scamming you somehow…
Dale, I totally agree with you, these lovely young ladies are like a “Lighthouse” in the dark sea
The Dynamics are incredible! you show your love for song your admiration for the artist and your heart and soul in every performance.
Wow you two! You can play classic British rock by the Beatles and The Who, then turn around and play American folk gems from Paul Simon and Don McLean and excel in them all. Not to mention your original classics! Sounds of Silence was beautifully done. Simply elegant. Thank you for keeping the music so many of us grew up with so fresh and relevant. Mona and Lisa Wagner rock!!
I had to listen to it again and WOW the second time, with ear phones on and those notes you hit, so strong. It is a great arrangement. Thanks again. Oh, I love the hats, takes me back! Groovin’ Walt Music
Sounds of Silence is such an anthem. It’s right up there with Imagine. One thing that I’d like to suggest… You are such instrument nerds (and I mean that in the absolute best way possible 😉 that I think you need to do a little bit more to explain that funky little bass. The Epiphone is a familiar face. But I don’t ever recall being introduced to the little guy with the phat strings. I don’t want to appear demanding… but I think we deserve some kind of explanation. Need I remind you that we’re here for the inside scoop? 😉 Love you gals! Once again, you are the soundtrack to my life. Wowcool.
Haha, you don’t have to ask twice! The bass is a “U-bass” by Kala. They are actually a Californian brand but we picked ours up at a music store north of Liverpool quite a few years ago and we LOVE it. It sounds extremely “fat” for being such a dainty little thing and it’s surprisingly versatile.
Our live-band-bassist has used it on radio performances and short acoustic gigs in the past quite a few times but I believe these duo sessions are the first time it appears on video!
All the best to both of you!
Beautiful rendition. You make it your own and, what a sublime performance with pulsating harmonies and musical prowess.
One of Simon & Garfunkel’s best! One of MonaLisa’s BEST. A Great rendition. You play it a little different than they did or still do, but you know what? That’s what I like about you guys!!!!
Mona I could not tell that was your first time….You did awesome!!! One thing that is the hardest thing for me is hitting the Garfunkel notes. You absolutely nailed it!!!!!! How about Bridge Over Troubled Water? YES!!!!!!!! Thanks for the preview and Stay Groovy!!!! Walt Music
This is a song I have been hoping you girls would cover. When I was young, my sister bought the album with this song on it and I must have listen to it hundreds of times. I dare say our album is not “crack-less”. In this song, even with such wonderful harmonies, I find myself hearing each of your distinctive voices and still in perfect harmony… maybe that is the magic in your talents. Lisa I learned to play this on my 2nd guitar but never captured the perfect hammer on’s and pull off’s as you have. Im a true admirer of your talent as an accomplished musician. Mona, just when I think you won’t surprise us anymore, you’re playing yet another instrument. Your talents as a musician are equally as impressive! Should we expect to see you thumping away on a Hofner bass one day?? Once again you two have exceeded all expectations and given us a cover that could be considered better than the original… even in all it’s splendor. Thanks to S&G for the creation, thanks to MLT for the rebirth!!! Seriously…..Stay Groovy!
Thanks, Kevin! The whole album is incredible – what a sweet gift from your sister! I’ve always wanted to cover “April, come she will” so maybe we’ll get to squeeze that in one day. We appreciate the kind comment!
Speachless…
Breathtakingly beautiful rendition and once again you’ve made it yours nearly 60 years later….that bass Mona is playing looks like it would be a Uke bass…so Mona is branching out now with yet another instrument…is the end of Papa Rudi’s bass career…oh yeah I forgot it’s a Duo Session !!!!❤️????
I got to get a Uke Bass those are cool . Another Amazing Duo Session! Thank you Mona And Lisa. Truly a Masterpiece
Wow ! That brought tears to my eyes – it was THAT good !
Well.. a bit more to the discussion.. I listened to the performance several times.. then wrote some words of gratitude..
Then I recolled the orginal by S&G.. after some while I could clearly see – I liked the version of twins much more..
What’s the matter.. I’ve expressed it before – great artists were gifted by God to become the authors of some great songs
Our heroines were gifted by God to show it personal way, way of their talents
Might we compare the subject matter with classical music – the modern artists just show brilliants of musical inheritance personal way, we never compare them with authors, this is just common way of performance
So on our girls are full way in tradition of giving second life to older composition,
And they embroider it with talent, given them by God, particularly with obvious respect to the authors
Thanks God & the Mona Lisa Twins
I thank God every night …while I’m out delivering my newspaper route and have MLT spinning in the CD …for The MonaLisa Twins because they bring this 71 year young man a whole lot of entertainment and memories…they are so very talented and it’s God given and thanks to their parents Rudi and Michaela who have raised them with the right values to be successful in life.
Bravo!
The goosebumps started right away. The intro has always affected me like that. Lisa’s guitar is perfect. Mona’s bass sounds awesome. Your voices are mesmerizing. We are away celebrating my wife’s 50th birthday tonight, so we premiered it on my iPad. We just sat in silence watching this. It’s perfect.
We can’t wait to see on the big screen. Love the setting and your outfits. You both always look great in hats. Can’t wait till you share this with the world. They will love it.
JP
That was awesome!!!
Best version ever. You’ll have a long career you two.
Beautiful! Perfection! And kudos to Mona for a great job on the bass.
Normally I don’t like anyone performing a Simon and Garfunkel song. Their music was just too special. But, once again, the two of you show how you can make a song your own without taking away from the original what made it great. Very well done.
I don’t know how you do it! First Nowhere Man became my new favorite, then you topped it with Vincent! Now I have a new new favorite with the Sounds Of Silence! I agree with Rick that Paul Simon must have written this song for your voices! Superb! I am in awe of your talent!
Hello Ladies,
Are you sure Paul Simon didn’t write the harmony parts for you both? Oh My! What a whirlwind of emotions all over again.
Such a surprise to see Mona on the Bass!! Great Job too! Lisa mesmerizing on the Guitar as always. Breathtaking Harmonies!! Whew!! My heart is racing!
I see you stood during the song like Simon and Garfunkel do.
Love the hats Ladies! Thank you for your Beautiful Gift Of Music!
Best to each of you
Rick Ross
OMG! The MonaLisa Twins have hit it out of the park again! What a fantastic version of a masterful song. I have goosebumps from listening to this! I agree with Thomas, You should be the #1 musical act on the planet! Great job girls!!! Happy Birthday!!!
Sublime, as always. I ask again: how are you not the #1 musical act on the planet? You should be! Happy joy filled Birthday, ladies, and many, many more! Luv ya!
Oh girls,
You are actually very young, my elder son is 27 also, and you do not need to try to be beautiful – you are beautiful in work of your souls, in work of your intellects to make the life full of feelings, your ones, or ones of other musicians, the other authors..
To show belowed ppl, to show your love to them, your respect to them that is always visible in your making sounds by instruments or by voices of your remarkable duet,
It’s a miracle given to you by God, given to us by God, these fun & joy are so deep,
Thanks to you both, dear sisters, thanks to your family, thanks to God,
Stay groovy)
I just watch your fun drumming on YouTube. That was really something to see. Your timing and coordination was so good! How much time did you spend practicing?
There are so few covers of this song with Simon’s harmony I knew you would nail this like no others. I know you like to give us club members a while to enjoy exclusive access to your new videos, but I look forward to seeing this one go public so I can share it with everyone.
Breathtakingly amazing! Only word I have is awe – for your vocal and instrumental talents, and the joy you bring to your performances; and of course beauty is a natural given. I wish I could have seen a little more of Lisa’s amazing guitar technique – maybe a Club instructional video on how you make such wonderful music is an idea?
I’ve been hoping you would do this song and it’s better than I could have imagined. You bring such force to your performances and that what makes your covers rival if not better the originals. Thanks and, again, happy birthday!
Those wonderous harmonies you create, are so expressive and full of beauty, makes me forget everything, a moment of absolute beauty! There is so much emotion and feeling in your singing that you can both express, that is so special and remarkable like none other.
Wow, Sounds of Silence has to be one of the greatest and most beautiful songs of all time, and yet your Duo Session interpretation somehow makes it sound better than I ever remember it. That’s a testament to your mastery of music.
Absolutely love it, left me with goose bumps. Reminds me again why I love everything you do so much! Thank you for this unforgettable moment of beauty.
To see Mona on the uke, and Lisa playing Mona’s Epiphone EJ200, you are keeping us on our toes! Awesome to see you guys mix it up. 🙂
They definitely like to surprise us. I would have expected Lisa to play the base Uke if I’d known they’d acquired one.
Hi Mona, Hi Lisa. What a pleasant surprise! “Sound of silence”…probably one of favorite songs of all of us….it was your birthday and we were the ones who got the gift…I don’t know how to praise you anymore…so I say…listen to a song thousandth time, or more, and get goosebumps again!!… it’s all I can say…I loved it… your hats, every note, every harmony… Mona on bass, everything perfect, thank you..
Everybody else has said everything that matters. Let me say that song has been in my top ten of favourite songs since it first came out. Your version is so complementary, well done girls a real success. As for Mona’s first time on bass, I saw the ukulele/ guitar and thought it was strung with black elastic, sorry Mona. Lisa’s guitar playing was exemplary, and beautiful to listen to.
Thank you girls.
A very moving performance of a S&G masterpiece. I also think you girls look so pretty in your head pieces. They fit so nice into the era of the song. MLT are just so “groovy”.
That was unequivocally Stellar…. Fab…Frikkin Awesome, Kudos on doing this S & G classic, was always hoping you’d eventually cover this one, it just screamed out to you to do it, your harmonies do it justice, I hope Paul and Art appreciate your efforts on this. So pleased and in awe of this , sent literally #MLTBuzzLuvGroovified shivers going down my back and arms while listening/watching… A rousing round of applause here bestowed upon you for the utmost calibre of creative musicianship shared with us all here, and the day when it becomes public, I have no doubt it will be seen/heard by many, again, Thankyou for covering this, made my Friday, wknd…. and love Mona’s debut on bass, she did right by it????????
So I have learned to make sure I have tissues on hand when I see your covers on great songs like this one and Stary Stary Night…LOL…Well you made our day and our Friday with this cover of such a beautiful song by Simon and Garfunkel that was released I believe in 1965. Back in 2016 a group called Disturbed did this cover and I thought it was great but after watching this version? OMG you both know how to deliver the goods. The harmony is spot on, Mona great job on bass, Lisa my god you hit those notes with such ease it is so beautiful to hear you both sing period. I Truely love this cover and so glad to see that this might be on a Duo Sessions 2? I have said this before the difference is the love and spirit you both put into your god given talent. Your not just putting this out there your making it perfect to the sprit of this song and Paul Simon has to have a tear in his eye watching the love you both put into this song, god knows we all have that tear running down our cheeks and filled with happiness. What a way to kick into the weekend , thank yo both so much for sharing your love of this music with us. And before I forget? Please pass along a Happy Fathers day to Pa Pa Rudi from all of us?
God bless we all love you
Bill and Maddie Isenberg Huge Fans from Pittsburgh Pa USA!
Well, you have done it again. You have transcended space and time, crossed over seven time zones and transported me back over 5 decades to leave a gaping hole in my heart and flooded my eyes with tears of profound peace and sobriety. This performance renews the entire emotional impact of this penetrating song yet refreshes it as a totally new vibrant experience. Only you two could do this. You are truly amazing and beautiful. Thank you.
Beautiful!
Lovely! I’ve always like this as an acoustic rather than electric song (the version on Wednesday Morning 3AM is better than the electric version on it’s namesake album, IMO) and y’all have done a FABulous job on your version. Perfect as a Duo Session tune.
Is that an Ibanez bass? Small size, but what a wonderful sound!
Just great.????????????????
I really enjoy your performance of this, one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs. I’m not a musician; so what I am about to say may seem trite or incorrect, but something you two do on this song that I really like is to change tempo and volume and intensity as the song progresses and then ends. As a listener, I really appreciate that – it draws out my emotions, and enhances appreciation for the lyrics and the skills needed to do this song well. Thanks for sharing it!
Amazing. Love this acoustic version like the original.
Thank you! That was too beautiful for words to describe… 🙂
Wow! Fantastic! Your voices are so moving and sentimental. ❤️❤️❤️
Wow. Gave me the chills! Excellent version
Sheer perfection throughout! Voices, instrument choice and utilization, even setting and wardrobe! You keep surprising me with your new Duo Session song choices, and each one is brilliant! Thank you so much for another stunning gift of your amazing artistry!
Amazing as always!
Outstanding!
Your heart and soul was in each and every note, I don’t think it gets any better than this.
Also, I hope your Birthday was as wonderful as each of you are, you truly are something special.
Love to you both and thanks for this amazing song.
Gary Bergen
Your haunting rendition gives me chills!!! I didn’t realize Simon started to write this in 1963 (the year I was born). Little did I know that my all-time favorite duo wouldn’t even be here until 31 years later!!
Your old souls run deep!! Thank you for keeping the music alive.
Beautifully done.
You have truly made my weekend this is one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs. Your voices go together so well and your harmony spot on well done