Bridge Over Troubled Water

Simon & Garfunkel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Columbia
• ASIN: B0000024UX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MiniDisc  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,098 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Last Collaboration Before They Separated!, August 18, 2000

By 

Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bridge Over Troubled Water (Audio CD)

While I don't share the breathless and hyperbolized estimation of Paul Simon as the "greatest lyricist of the last fifty years" like another reviewer (who evidently has never listened to the unbelievable poetry of Bob Dylan, Donovan, Leonard Cohen, or Harry Chapin, etc. Simon is an accomplished poet, yes, but just one of so many brilliant lyricists emanating from the sixties), I do agree that this blockbuster album that marked the highpoint of their collaboration showcases why they achieved such fame and popularity. Here they continue with the same innovative strands first initiated with albums like "Parsley Sage" etc. where they interspersed a newscaster's rendition of the nightly news with Garfunkel's almost angelic counterpoint of "Silent Night". The effect is devastating and dramatic. Here they also use traditional Incan melodies, race-car sound effects, and wider use of the kind of orchestral instrumentation they first employed on "Sounds of Silence", where they first used an electric guitar as a driving force behind their otherwise pristinely acoustic arrangement.

Yet there is great "sturm und drang" here; the two could hardly inhabit the same studio, for the creative genius both brought to their collaboration was literally tearing the duo's long-standing personal friendship apart. Garfunkel at first refused to sing the lead in "Bridge Over Troubled Water", for he felt it was so uniquely Simon's work and so clearly headed for a huge hit that Paul should sing the lead. Only the intervention of their long-time producer made Art change his mind and agree to sing the lead. One can also feel the tension on the most brilliantly executed song here, "The Boxer', as well, although this is so well packaged and delivered that it seems more part of the internal structure of the song and its arrangement than the result of the vocal strains between them. Simon was headed in other directions with his work, and there are indications of it with songs like "Cecilia", which is an almost Bob Dylan-like play on words and circumstances than an effort at poetic workmanship.

Likewise, in "Only Living Boy In New York", Simon vocalizes his sense of dismay and frustration as being left by Garfunkel (who was working on the movie "Catch 22" in Mexico) to work out the problems on the album alone. He urges "Tom" (Art) on, and wishes him well, but resents being left behind at the same time. He retorts that "he can gather all the news he needs from the weather report", another hint he is about to retreat into a life of more personal experiences and less concern for the world at large. In the same vein, "Keeping The Customer Satisfied" is meant ironically, Simon's way of announcing that, like the Beatles, he is finally sick of trying to meet popular expectations, and that he is about to quit the chase and pursue his own interests, which of course he soon did, leading to the release of the quirky but beautiful "Paul Simon album" a few years later. This is a farewell album that didn't announce itself as such, and was such an overwhelming success that it took years for everyone to realize Simon was serious about going solo. It is a brilliant last effort by a fabled pair of exceptional pop folk singers, and this album belongs on everyone's favorite music list. Enjoy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AGELESS GEM, May 19, 2003

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Bridge Over Troubled Water (Audio CD)

More than three decades later this album still reveals its treasures with every listen. It's the absolute highlight of the folk-influenced or singer/songwriter genre that emerged in the 1960s. The greatness of the songs are proved by the many cover versions that they inspired: Bridge much be one of the most covered songs on earth - the versions by Aretha Franklik and Linda Clifford immediately come to mind. El Condor Pasa has exotic Andean flute and Cecilia is a naughty, uptempo song that became a dance hit again in the 1980s by some obscure disco singer. Songs like The Boxer and Bye Bye Love are sheer poetry, I mean lyrically and in their flowing melodies and the beautiful blend of the voices. This album remained in the album charts for many years after its original release and one listen will show you the reason why. Poetic, intelligent lyrics set to heavenly melodies characterise these outstanding songs to make the album a timeless classic.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Last, but certainly not least, November 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bridge Over Troubled Water (Audio CD)

Bridge Over Troubled Water marks the duo's last team effort yet, and I must say that they went out with a bang. The Boxer is Paul's relentless tale of a lost soul who may or may not have found his way. Cecilia is rock with a trash can. The Only Living Boy in New York is a display of sheer rhythmatic genius (a personal favorite). El Condor Pasa is a nice little diddy that adds flavor. Bridge itself is an exhibit of Art's almost all-too angelic vocal ability. Song for the Asking is the duo's epitaph, ending all with what we love the two best for- sweet, poetic harmony.