A comparison this morning between a dearly loved folk-rock original, released 52 years ago, and a bluegrass reinterpretation of it released some 38 years later.
Simon and Garfunkel were legends in the American music industry back in the 1960’s. Their final album together, “Bridge Over Troubled Water“, was released in 1970. According to Wikipedia, “It was the best-selling album in 1970, 1971 and 1972 and was at that time the best-selling album of all time.” One of my favorite tracks from it, which was released as a single the year before the album, is “The Boxer“.
In 2007, Alison Krauss, Shawn Colvin and Jerry Douglas, along with the Union Station Band, performed a bluegrass-style rendition of “The Boxer” that became widely popular. Note the instrumentation, particularly towards the end.
I enjoyed the bluegrass version as much as the original.
Finally, since we have room, let’s enjoy the title track from “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. It’s been a favorite of mine ever since it was released.
It’s strange to think that song, and the eponymous album, are fifty-one years old. They feel as fresh and powerful as they did way back then. How many of you remember that time?
Peter
My Dad and I used to listen to that album.
He also liked Ray Charles, Roger Miller, and The Kingston Trio.
Emmylou Harris did a bluegrass inspired version of "The Boxer" on her 1980 album "Roses in the Snow."
That track has Emmylou. And Linda Ronstadt. And Dolly Parton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3q56AnNhmY
Alison Kraus could sing the label on a toothpaste tube and I would sit in rapt attention until she finished, and ask for an encore.
It is amazing how some songs endure in our minds and we automatically sing along when we hear them. the really good ones will live forever!
Funny, I ran across a youtube of Bye Bye Love yesterday sung by Simon and Garfunkle and the Everly Brothers… Still great music!
I see yellow brick buildings and the harsh winter-blue skies of Lubbock Texas when I hear this. I was just a pup back then, but I distinctly remember hearing this on the radio on the way to Furr's to go shopping with mom. Thin, beautiful, hazel eyes and black hair. She lives only in my memory now…
Music is a time machine. Sometimes taking me back to great memories of wonderful times… Othertimes, dragging me back to things that need resolution and were just left to fester like a splinter in my memories…
This was a good memory. Thanks for that.
Sorry to be a sticker, but the beautiful version by Allison is New Grass, not Bluegrass. Living here between the birth places of Bill Monroe and Sam Bush you learn the difference pretty quickly.
Bluegrass is traditional music played with traditional instruments, no drums or keyboards. New Grass is modern music played played with a broader range of styles and instruments.
You should sample some New Grass Revival, I think you would like it.
I worked security for a couple of Sam Bush concerts and he is both a great musician and person. We always ran late because he sat around after the show and talked to everybody who came by.
Takes me back to another time. One of my favorites we played in a folk band 50 something years ago. I may pull out my vinyl copy today and reminisce.
Say what you will, but MY calendar tells me it's Saturday, the 6th of November…
As the song goes, "Let's do the Time Warp AGAIN!" (I'm mellowing my harsh…)
Hey Peter;
I have that album compliments of my Dad, he used to listen to it a lot along with "Kenny Rogers and the 1st Edition", those are some of the memories of my childhood. The music back them was more from the soul and less of a commercial feel, "Less Processed" is the word. It stands the test of time.
The best concert I have ever attended was in Boston featuring Paul Simon after his African and South American albums. He did a segment of Simon and Garfunkel tunes towards the end of the show. The best concert ever for me.
Hello Darkness My Old Friend…. Soon You'll Start at 5PM.