Classical Composer Reacts to Bridge over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel) | The Daily Doug Ep. 503
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- #simongarfunkel #bridgeovertroubledwater
In today's episode of #thedailydoug, I'm publishing a reaction I filmed about a month ago to Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel. This was a part of my Fan Favorites series on my Patreon, where our patrons recommend and upvote selections for a monthly video. Especially at this time of year, I think this is a wonderful song to hear and dwell on...for it's beauty and its message. I hope you enjoy!
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Way back in 7th grade, we begged our music teacher to let us sing this song. He refused because he knew we would screech on the high notes. He finally relented and we screeched like there was no tomorrow.
what a good sport
Just amazing how some things fall together. Two childhood friends, one turns about to be one of the greatest songwriters of all time and his buddy has the voice of an angel.
Quite possibly, the most beautiful song ever recorded.
Indeed, it's an incredible song.
Here are the personnel
Art Garfunkel - lead vocals
Paul Simon - backing vocals
Larry Knechtel - piano
Joe Osborn - bass guitar
Hal Blaine - drums and percussion
Gary Coleman - vibraphone
Jimmie Haskell, Ernie Freeman - string arrangements
Thank You
Another "Wrecking Crew" studio musicians masterpiece!
Gary Coleman was only 2 years old when this was released! Watchoo talkin bout, Willis?
Gary Coleman on vibraphone? "What you talkin' about Willis?"...okay, somebody had to say this....
@@gettingkilt You and me both on that hahahaha
Art Garfunkel's voice is an absolute treasure. Pure joy. I agree with you - his voice is divine. This is a truly beautiful song with an almost transcendental quality about it. The lines "If you need a friend, I'm sailing right behind" gives me goosebumps every time. And nobody does harmony like these two. Another favourite for me is The Boxer.
When you said here comes Paul...I believe that's still Art. Paul doesn't sing any verses on the song, he only sings background vocals. The studio musicians are the Wrecking Crew - Larry Knetchel on Piano, Hal Blaine drums, Joe Osborn bass. Paul is just credited as backing vocals (as well as composer). I know when they played it live years later, Paul would take the second verse. I've seen Art a couple times and I still get goose bumps when he sings it. The room is pin drop quiet. No one even moves a hair. It's magical.
Yes, that's Art.
I never noticed how Simon-like Art sounded on that part, but it's true. He really did sound like Simon there.
That's an example of a song that gets everything it needs and nothing that it doesn't. It feels like a 7-minute epic, but it's only 4.48.
Larry knechtel who played lead guitar for the group Bread and was a member of the session group "the wrecking crew" played the piano on this and with arts voice made this song all simon could envision
He plays with such delicacy
Paul doesn't come in until the "Sail on silver girl........"
Thank you for doing this song. I really needed to hear it just now when I did. I just suffered a very personal loss and this song brought forth tears I needed to cry. There is no more emotionally provocative song that i know of. Calling it a masterpiece is no hyperbole.
I am so sorry for your loss, my friend. Wishing you peace and healing.
Totally agree with this. We had this for my dads funeral last month. Bridge over troubled LP is one of the few surviving LPs on vinyl he had. It’s a special song
🫂🫂🫂
Thank you for loving this as much as I do.
I have been saying for nearly two decades that, if Art Garfunkel and Karen Carpenter had had children together, at least one of them would have had the world's greatest ever pop/folk music singing voice.
Fantastic song but I still think a live track from 1969 called "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" is the most pure and powerful vocal performance from Garfunkel, full stop! Thanks Doug!
One of my favorite songs since childhood.
Fuuuuck, such a beautiful song. Haven't heard it in ages.
My niece was named for that song!
Completely agree 💪
Yeah, That song is perfect too !
I grew up on Simon & Garfunkel and did not realize until I was an adult that this has the elements of a gospel song. I love how there is always something to learn from music as you get more life experience.
chills is the only way to describe this 🥶😊🎼🎵🎶🎶
An amazing song in so many ways. "Sail on silver girl .." gets me every time.
That's about as beautiful as a piece of music can get.
Another favorite of mine on this album is "The Only Living Boy in New York". The vocal harmonies on that track are stunning!
A brilliant song
Hear, hear.
Beautiful.❤
There are few things in this world of ours that are as pure as this song.
It’s the perfect song of its type. As good as anything the Beatles wrote imo
@@Coneman3 I was just thinking earlier today that this feels like a signoff for the group in the same way that Let It Be played that part for The Beatles. Both have a feeling of acknowledging as ongoing but sometimes distant relationship, with the sense that the love is still there and it's okay to let go for now.
@@Coneman3 It beat out the Beatles for Best Song of the Year that year
And by the first chorus, Tom is in a puddle of tears. Every. Single. Time. If Peter Hammill taught me that I am not alone in my crushing depression and visions of suicide, this song keeps me from going through with it.
You are not alone, Tom. We are thankful that you are here and part of The Daily Doug community. Wishing you peace, my friend.
@@Doug.Helvering Thanks, Doug . Glad to be here.
Right there with you Tom.
Never fails to give me chills and teary eyes. Sublime.
This was my favorite version of this song! This was Art's best voice. I've seen other performances where he holds back but this version he really shines.
Absolutely the most perfect song ever written!💖💖💖
Happy Holidays, Doug. A brilliant song from two brilliant guys. The piano introduction is SO good, it's basically announcing that we're all about to hear one of the most epic songs ever written.
What an amazing job by Larry Knechtel on the piano .
This awesome song is such a comfort to listen to when you are having a hard time.
What a gorgeous song.... I can't imagine hearing anyone other than Art Garfunkel sing it.
Elvis did a passable job, in his own inimitable style.
I really agree, but for a really standout cover check out Roberta Flack with the Newark Boys Choir cover
@@squaaaaak3178 passable? Simon himself was in awe of Elvis's version. Elvis added so much body to the gospel phrasings. Art made it angelic, Elvis sang it like a man trying to atone for something, and it feels so real.
I have no idea what it is about Simon & Garfunkel, but their classic songs sounds just as fresh today as they where when they came out. Amazing really. This one, Sound of Silence(prob. my favorite), The Boxer etc. Newer get tired listen to them or good covers of them.
Soul stirring are the words to descibe this heartfelt beauty...Ty brother
Like an Angel from heaven delivering the perfect song emotionally touching all earthling souls!
An exquisite arrangement and performance.
The reunion live version of this marvellous.. When Paul just disappears in to the back, to let Art shine alone, smiling at his friend.. And then comes back and lays his arm around Art.. Tears...
An old friend of mine used to sing this as "Like a bridge over Ethel Waters". It rings a bit differently that way.
Doug, for another almost perfect vocal, please do Forever Autumn" Justin hayward of the moody blues, was the voice Jeff Wayne wanted for this beautiful song, in fact when he contacted Justin, he asked, 'are you the guy who sang "Nights in White Satin"?? erm, yes!!! 😂😊🎶🎶
I'm so glad to have grown up with this song. I was alive when it was recorded and am in no way surprised that it has endured for a half century.
Thanks a lot for taking up this song. I love it since I was a small boy.
When Paul wrote this for Art to sing he only wrote 2 versus. Someone told him he needed a 3rd verse and that's where Paul comes in. Beautiful song that still give me goose bumps.
Paul joins Art for a few lines beginning with "Sail on silver girl..."
This beautiful song always makes me cry.
Thank you for reminding me of this song. I haven't heard this one in years.
Still gives goosebumps after all these years!
I love this song and I'm thankful for all you said about it. This song really touched my heart.
Art Garfunkel sings all the lead vocals on this song
Beautiful song from the best of their amazing albums.
I grew up with this song and have had songbooks with this music taunting me ever since it was new. Finally, during the pandemic, I put together the best arrangement that I could with the music and my ear. It's thrilling.
On guitar with dropped D tuning for some of those chilling bass notes.
The first power ballad? :-) Such an amazing performance by Art Garfunkel.
big, big thanks to Larry Knechtel for creating that iconic piano part... Larry Knechtel was the bassist, organist of Bread, and was the one who did the wahwah lead guitar in "The Guitarman"... since "Bridge" made a big hit, Bread included it in their shows, and it was voiced by James Griffin.
I love watching you love music :-)
"Sail on Silver Girl" makes me think of my dear sweet mother, now in a loftier clime, and whose dreams, through her children, are on their way, to fruition. She was always, always a bridge over troubled water, just like Pappy. Thanks for this. I heard it over on was it Papillon? No, Patreon, and was well worth revisiting. Now I look a mess. Peace and love. db
This. Absolutely this.
Such an amazing song sung by amazing singers
It's an incredible album. I also love the bass playing on it.
Oh yes, it really is! Just bought it for 5 quid (pounds) at a record fair here in Exeter, UK. It's majestic and magnificent.
"The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel is right up your alley Doug. That ending section!
Fantastic song. Timeless.
What a 💎 gem of a song.
Thanks Doug. A masterpiece whatever your perspective.
4:17 - "Here comes Paul." Is that Paul Simon on the second verse? I thought it was Art Garkunkel on lead vocal all the way through. (Although, I have seen some live concert performances where Paul would take the second verse.)
It's Art.
Jon Anderson and Chris Squire have stated when they started Yes they wanted to incorporate vocals stylings like the. Beach. Boys and Simon and Garfunkel. Yes covered America, so they were listening.... The I Get Up, I Get Down middle section of Close to the Edge always harkened me back to Scarborough Fair with its haunting sound and overlaying vocals. I think the boys in Yes also listened to Bridge over troubled waters more than a few times because the ending of close to the edge displays the same power and intensity as the ending to this masterpiece. Hey, if your gonna be influenced, you might as well be influenced by the best, right ya'all?
Where you say 'here comes Paul' at the second verse it is still Art (and vocal art as well). I also love the live version of their concert at Central Park, 1980 I think. I usually play this song in C while you mention E, does that make much difference?
There's a better live version, from 1969 or 1970. it's on UA-cam. I don't like the Central Park version because of the cheesy keyboard and arts voice has already pretty much been ruined by smoking and overuse.
I know of people who think drum kits in the 1980s were too drenched in tasteless reverb. They need to hear THIS recording from a decade or more earlier. There's so much open space it's almost proto-ambient! Beautiful all around.
As a drummer, I was one of those people who hated the 80s drum sound. I found it obnoxious, too synthetic, and any time a drummer tried to do a fill that went beyond eighth notes, it turned into an electronic mess. The reverb applied to Hal Blaine's snare drum on this song is a whole different kettle of fish. The natural drum sound is still there, just given some extra sonic "make-up", so to speak. Plus, it's Hal f@#%in' Blaine, and that guy could make a single beat sound musical, not to mention that huge final explosion near the end.
"I get the high part". too funny. so do I. much to my wife's chagrin.!
Also by S&G are: 59th Street Bridge Song, I am a Rock, and Homeward Bound, that are absolutely stunning.
When you said “here comes Paul”, you’re wrong, it’s still Art. Totally different voice. Paul comes in later with Art and the rest of the instruments.
Can't remember if I told you this story before, but met Garfunkel when I was around 10 years old (loooong time ago). I was taking guitar lessons with a freind Lou Pearlman. His parents invited me over for dinner and told me to bring my guitar. When I arrived, Lou introduced me to his cousin Art. I had NO IDEA who he was. We played some guitar and he signed an autograph for me that I still have. Lou went on to form the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, only to die in Federal prison for running a $300 million Ponzi scheme.
As has been documented, Paul Simon wrote the first two parts on guitar then asked Larry Knechtel to write the piano part which he did in a couple of days. Garfunkel then pushed for a third verse which Simon initially did not support but in the end wrote it. Larry Knechtel had a background in gospel music. He went on to join the group Bread.
That's still Art singing the second verse. Paul only comes in with the strings.
Larry Knechtel played piano on this song. He won a Grammy for his performance. Larry was a member of the storied Wrecking Crew.
Art Garfunkel and Bobby Hatfield both divine vocalists
SIR, WHY ARE YOU NOT CRYING?????!! 😭 I'm in tears.
It's an eargasm!
Merry Christmas Y'all
@@DM_ON_TELE-GRAM_Bria_nna1 hey doug. Love your videos mate.
Around the time this song came out Andy Williams did a rendition of it on his variety show. He stayed fairly close to the original arrangement, and did a very good version. Another great singer doing a great song.
Fabulous !
❤❤
Hey Doug,
If you haven't already, you gotta check out The Neal Morse Band's cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water. It's 8 minutes long and has the usual Neal sprinkles of prog and epicness. I think you'd love it!
Loved your analysis by the way, apart from other comment 😊
If you watch any live concert with them, Art Garfunkel totally sings this song on his own, with no sight of Paul! Are you sure you got that right?
This is the song that my parents consider "their song" :')
React to Scarborough Fair/Canticle ! React to Scarborough Fair/Canticle !! 😃
Until Bridge Over Troubled Water was recorded it was Simon and Garfunkel's signature song. And Sound of Silence was the one before that.
Musical geniuses, nothing less than musical geniuses.
As close to a perfect song as has ever been written.
I'd love to see you do a reaction to them performing this live at their famous Central Park concert in 1982
THE WRECKING CREW
Great song, one of the albums I was allowed to buy for my thirteenth birthday.
There are other "absolutely great" and "clean" vocalists in music (Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and many others) for example, but there has never been and never will be a pair of vocalists like Paul and Art. Their "harmonies" are just PERFECT ..
Great post on this Song. In fact my favorite is „the only living boy in New York“ did you ever listen to that? Would be interested to hear your opinion. Cheers patrick
Forgot to say it‘s one of the most expressive songs to me when I was about 16
I love Eflat too. 😂
Larry Knechtel wrote the piano arrangement and also won a grammy for it.
Eb, the guitarist’s nemesis.
3:47 Sorrry, the Gibb Brothers were, insane +2 in Harmony!
Hello Doug, could you please react to "in my little town" by simon and garfunkel? I really recommend you listen to it, 'cause it's an hidden treasure of remarkable poetry and complex armonies.
this is the first time I have heard the original version of this song - for 50 years, i have heard other people sing it. Check out Russell Watson's cover of this on his album The Voice.
Piano played by Larry Knechtel. It seems Knechtel constantly pops up in the credits for session work on albums from 1965 on, well into the 1990s. Same with Hal Blaine (I swear there must have been two of him considering the number of tracks he played on).
Hal Blaine & Larry Knechtel were part of the famous "Wrecking Crew" studio musicians - the "best of the best" LA session players that also included Glenn Campbell, Carol Kaye...and so many others.
Back at it again with my same recommendation as the last however many videos: I would like to recommend Alter Bridge’s latest epic Fable Of The Silent Son. It’s a masterpiece. From the way I understand it, the Silent Son is Myles Kennedy and the “Fable” is his battles with depression and his own inner demons that were so prevalent in his work (especially on their darkest album ABIII) and life. The song is a beautiful call to arms to fight for your own happiness and continue living with the aid of those who have walked your path before. It’s the “you’re not alone” speech without the preachyness and a dual guitar solo
check out Art's solo album - "Scissors Cut".
Please review the 1971 song "Surf's Up" by the Beach Boys. Very cool chord progression and vocal arrangement. Be interesting to see your take.
The B side was no slouch either, got to keep the customer satisfied, and they sure did.
I can think of 2 such male vocalists, Jimmy Somerville and Billy McKenzie.
Cannons, like the 1812 overture
Right on. The purity of Arts vocals remain in their own class. On par with the great Allison Krause imho.
The last song on their last album. How to quit at the top.
It’s a gospel song…and perhaps the best one I have ever heard.