Half-a-million people were in Central Park for this gig. Art's voice soared out above all the noise of NYC. The crowd went silent while he sang. No-one else could do that with this song. Paul Simon wrote it for Art Garfunkel's voice specifically.
This song is a Simon and Garfunkel original. I had the good fortune to attend a smaller venue charity event with them performing in the 90's, I believe. Art Garfunkel's voice soared powerfully over all the ensemble voices performing together at that event. It was magical showcasing his vocal power, range and control. I've attended lots of concerts over my lifetime. But that event stays prominently in my memory so special was it.
Not really: they are the original artists but it was years later. Art even gets the words wrong in stanza two (it should still be "lay me down", not "ease your mind"). His voice is definitely not the one the song was written for at this stage: there's a loss of a bit of flexibility: he avoids the jump at "I will dry them all" in the first stanza; the voice sounds a bit drier but still phenomenal. There's no Paul Simon in the last stanza. He got a bit grumpy with Art and, I expect, vice-versa. I have no idea how they managed to even do this concert.
Thanks for this reaction. Bridge Over Troubled Water was originally recorded by Simon & Garfunkle. Art Garfunkle is the one singing in this video. It has been covered by over 50 artists, including Elvis Presley.
Just saw a video where Paul Simon said this was definitely inspired by gospel. They had a gospel piano player playing a gospel piano in Paul’s own words. He called it a “Little Hymn” originally.
Paul Simon originally wrote this for Aretha Franklin (which is why it sounds so gospel-y). She released a fantastic version, too, but the Simon & Garfunkel original remains magisterial.
Jeans, wrinkled white shirt with sleeves rolled up, hands in pockets in front of half a million people at a free concert, all alone at the microphone. What has happened to talent nowadays?
This song is a gospel song When Simone wrote it He had been listening to gospel And this song just Popped out of his head One of the very best songs ever written Paul Simon wrote the song Garfunkel singing most of the song and Paul singing some of it with Simone and it was them who put it out on their albums because he was the writer of the song and then other people loved it so much like Aretha Franklin Ce Ce singing with Whitney Houston because it is a gospel song
The reason that it sounds like a gospel song is because when Paul Simon wrote it back in the sixties he had been playing a gospel track over and over and he felt inspired by it.
Paul Simon was definitely inspired by gospel music. Just check out his solo work. Simon & Garfunkel use plenty of religious imagery in there music. I always pictured this song as one partner to another. I see it more universal now. As in Parent to Child or Higher Power to individual.
This song was very popular back then whe music was simlletjust someone singing without a llthe autotune and equipment of today you had to have a decent voice, and songs with a message, if you want yo hear other powerful do gs ieould check out "Mike and the Mechanics" "The Living Years" and "Terry Jack's" "Seasons in the Sun".
Yes this songs was originally written by Paul Simon an sung by Art Garfunkel then others covered it! AND “ Mr. Bojangles” the song that was Sammy Davis’ signature song; was first sang by THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND, and is NOT About The Real Bill “ Bojangles” Robinson. The guy Sammy sings about is; A homeless man, begging on the streets,and when he was arrested for that, he gave that name instead of his real name , and played it off while in jail!The REAL BOJANGLES was a great dancer, but was never arrested,didn’t own a dog or drank a lot. I’m surprised Mr. Davis didn’t do research before he went out and made this song,His!!!
Hey great reaction, would you check out Elvis version of bridge over troubled water from his 1970 performance in Vegas live. I promise you will love it and I would love your opinion on the two 😎p.s. you will love it.