Search - Simon & Garfunkel :: Bridge Over Troubled Water (Exp)

Katie L. from SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Reviewed on 2/12/2010...

These guys sang about things other than the usual. Thinking boys, they were. And you'll never hear arrangements and vocals like these again.
Paul Simon heard Garfunkel's voice and was entranced. That's what he wanted to harmonize with, no question.
Whew! And we wouldn't have had it any other way.
**FIVE STARS***

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Sometimes, The Best Is Saved For Last

BeatlesFan3287 | Fairfield | 01/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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. It is noticeable when you hear the first notes of the opening title track and the first heart-breaking line. In fact It is evident through-out nearly all the songs that the duo was parting ways. Even joyous tracks such as "Baby Driver" and "Keep The Customer Satisfied" cannot hide the pain and regret. 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. After all, people often see art and brilliance in pain and tragedy. 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. Paul Simon turns out some of his best - and most cryptic - lyrics with "The Boxer" and the title track. 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. Indeed, there may be many reasons why this album has become a classic - it did get the duo their first Grammy. 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. Its way more personal when its just between two of you. 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". 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. 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. 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. "Abbey Road" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" were kind of a final signal that the 60s were over and everybody had to move on. The greatness in those albums, however, act as a reminder to not forget the 60s regardless of how far in past they may be.



"