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This is the second best album of all time (the first was Sgt. Pepper)Love to play it while driving.
There are many parallels between "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Abbey Road" but perhaps the most important one is the proof that one can still work well even while under major stress. In fact It is evident through-out nearly all the songs that the duo was parting ways. It is noticeable when you hear the first notes of the opening title track and the first heart-breaking line. The greatness in those albums, however, act as a reminder to not forget the 60s regardless of how far in past they may be. Its way more personal when its just between two of you. "Abbey Road" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" were kind of a final signal that the 60s were over and everybody had to move on.
After all, people often see art and brilliance in pain and tragedy. Yet regardless of the strain they were feeling, the two managed to pull off a miracle and record what many regard as their best work.Maybe its because of the somber atmosphere that the album is so successful. Or maybe its because the album is just so well written and produced. With only the cover of The Everly Brothers "Bye Bye Love" falling flat, every song here is a masterwork. It comes to no surprise that this album - recorded just before Simon and Garfunkels partnership disolved - features many of the strains and sadness of such break-ups. What is important, however, is the irony that two guys who were hardly on speaking terms could put out what is possibly their best record.This all very similar to what The Beatles were experiencing with Abbey road. Of course, that fued was between four guys.
Like Paul McCartney with Abbey Road, Paul Simon wrote a few songs here that would point the future direction of his solo work. The African world beat of his album "Graceland" can already be heard in the track "Cecila" as can the softer, more adult sounds of "Still Crazy After All These Years"; apparent in such tracks as "The Boxer" and "El Condor Pasa". The production is top notch with the thunderous drums of "The Only Living Boy In New York" and the graceful strings of "So Long Frank Lloyd Wright" being just some of the many florishes to hear. Even joyous tracks such as "Baby Driver" and "Keep The Customer Satisfied" cannot hide the pain and regret. Unfortunately, it was the stress that led to the break-up of Simon & Garfunkel shortly after this release.If the career of Simon & Garfunkel were a movie, it would definitly not have a happy ending.
Paul Simon turns out some of his best - and most cryptic - lyrics with "The Boxer" and the title track. Indeed, there may be many reasons why this album has become a classic - it did get the duo their first Grammy. Luckily, however, the duo did reunite a few times - such as at their famous Central Park Concert - which is something The Beatles never did; perhaps proof that you can build stronger friendships with a one-on-one relationship than with four people.
Yeah, it is catchy, but more than catchy. The Boxer, tells about immigration in the first two verses (I have no idea what the third is) with a melancholy feel and that orchestra "Boom.". Plus, the music on this record is just dang good, period. Folk based just has that natural, organic sound, and variety in that is just great.
Bye Bye Love isn't a very happy song, but a very sad message. Besides, it actually has it's catharis, it makes you feel a bit better. One after another, this album boasts quite some variety, especiallly considering that this album is folk based. The melodies draw you in to Paul's Simon's pretty cool lyrics (not lyrical rocket science, but they get the job done).The song Bridge Over Troubled Water, with it's epic piano and lush arrangements, has a great message about putting your life and helping those who are going through a tough time. Baby Driver, once again, brings us back to jumping, and this song has no meaning, really, but it still is a keeper.
Why Don't You Write Me, is kind of upbeat, and the guitars sing and breathe. Not just an acoustic guitar and a guy moaning, there is a variety of sounds in this record, and it can be very melodic. I love the middle of it, with it's poudning, makes me think of a water show (huh). Sure, it's not that great of a song, but it's short and winds you down.
Bridge over Troubled Water is just one of those albums that just feels so damn complete. Alright, so the album fails a hair to live up to the tracks, but it still churns out great music. The Only Boy Living In New York is highly underrated, another song written For Garfunkel. IT's a bit immature and it would pretty much bug the crap out of me if I heard someone complain using the phrases. After these kind of slow songs, Cecilia and Keep The Customers Sastisfyed brighten the mood with their upbeat sound. Of course, the remaster is great, and the bonus tracks are probably a good addition, but their are bonus tracks.A great album. Nick Drake knew that, and it seems that Simon And Garfunkel know that as well.
While not quite the greatest thing I've ever heard, and not exactly worth five stars, it's worth it. El Condor Pasa, brings to mind an enchanted forest, not in a cheesy way, with it's percussion and flute, and lyrics about he's "rather be a hammer than a nail". We get enough to keep us from falling asleep, until we get to the tribute by Simon to Garfunkel, So Long Frank Loyd Wright. Song For The Asking ends the album. Organic music is what you need in life.8.5/10
The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very thoughtfully done. "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" is a lesser known ballad but it's really very well done; and the use of both major and minor keys enhances the natural beauty of this ballad."The Boxer" is one of their greatest hits ever--I always enjoy this even if I know there may be hidden meanings in the lyrics that I still don't understand. Bridge Over Troubled Water is an outstanding, classic rock album from Simon and Garfunkel. "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" has another very pretty melody for this considerably shorter ballad; Paul Simon sings this flawlessly and the flute is gorgeous on "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)." Great."Cecilia" rocks. I love it."Feuilles-O" is an excellent bonus track on this album; and listen for a bonus track of another slightly different recoding of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." This demo works well but I think the final version worked best.Overall, Simon and Garfunkel fans will want this for their collections; and people who enjoy classic rock and even some of the "oldies" will cherish this CD for years to come. The CD starts with the title track, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." They sing this beautifully and there is such a soothing quality to this rock ballad that you just can't resist it. The beat is quite good for this song and it all holds its own very well.
I predict that you'll enjoy "The Boxer" very much if you haven't heard it already."The Only Living Boy In New York" puzzles me because despite its beauty it's not a song that gets the full; recognition it deserves. These guys knew music and they played and sang so well that they remain very famous even after their split so many years ago. Simon and Garfunkel harmonize to perfection and the percussion helps to mark the best very well. "Bridge Over Troubled water" has an especially fine arrangement for the piano and this helps the melody along quite a bit. This tune gives us Simon and Garfunkel singing out loud about a girl who can break a man's heart and not feel terribly bad at all about it. Simon and Garfunkel sing this without a flaw and "The Only Living Boy In New York" is clearly a highlight of this album.Just as Amazon notes, we also get a live cover of The Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love." Simon and Garfunkel put their own stamp on this great ballad by changing a few keys here and there and it works wonders for this number.
There are those who will tell you that Simon And Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) is "overrated", but I don't see it that way at all. The big band jazzy Keep The Customer Satisfied is another winner here (I always think of Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman when I hear it). So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright is a unique tribute to the famous American architect, and Paul Simon and his acoustic guitar close the album quietly and thoughtfully with A Song For The Asking. Both songs are songwriting monuments, beautiful and significant, and the vocal performance and production on both is flawless. It won five Grammy Awards including Album Of The Year, went to number one on the Billboard Music Charts, is ranked #51 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time list, and has sold over 25 million copies. Bridge Over Troubled Water could quite possibly be the greatest song ever written. The album contains two undeniable masterpieces, Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Boxer. I also like the fun rocker Baby Driver and the live version of The Everly Brothers' Bye Bye Love.
With an impressively gorgeous melody and inspiring lyrics that describe the most decent of all of human behavior, it rises to the highest level of greatness while simply and gently touching even the most helpless and vulnerable.When you're weary, feeling smallWhen tears are in your eyes, I will dry them allI'm on your side when times get roughAnd friends just can't be foundLike a bridge over troubled waterI will lay me downCecelia is another great song, and while not as sweeping as the title song or painfully sad as The Boxer, it's infectious melody, Latin rhythms and intelligent lyrics make it a classic and an all-time favorite of many. The simple folk song El Condor Pasa (If I Could) and the fragile The Only Living Boy In New York are both remarkable songs in their own right, but a little overshadowed by the three hit singles on the album. Bridge Over Troubled Water was Simon And Garfunkel's last studio album, and possibly their best. This album isn't overrated, it's a wonderful classic.
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