Art Garfunkel has spoken glowingly about James Taylor, praising the singer-songwriter's vocal precision and musicianship in terms that verge on reverence rather than professional courtesy. The comments, resurfaced in a Far Out Magazine piece, highlight an unusual dynamic in music, where an artist from an earlier, hugely successful era openly credits a peer as an inspiration rather than a rival. Given Simon and Garfunkel's towering legacy in the 1960s and 70s, the lack of any competitive edge in Garfunkel's remarks is presented as notably generous.

Garfunkel described Taylor's technique as "impeccable musicianship," attributing his precision to "refinement" and "the civility of intelligent life." He specifically cited Taylor's 1991 song 'Shed A Little Light', a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr, as an example of the singer's "innate dignity," concluding that despite debates around perfectionism, "'perfect' is the best review." The article frames this admiration as evidence of the mutual respect between two of the era's most influential musicians.