Classical Composer Reacts to Bridge over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel) | The Daily Doug Ep. 503

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  • Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 294

  • @rghilino6734
    @rghilino6734 Год назад +89

    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.

  • @michaelschey1084
    @michaelschey1084 Год назад +64

    Quite possibly, the most beautiful song ever recorded.

    • @kathybwell
      @kathybwell Год назад +5

      Indeed, it's an incredible song.

    • @last1059
      @last1059 Месяц назад

      Too right. Whenever I hear this, my heart pounds and tears well.

  • @thepiratecats801
    @thepiratecats801 Год назад +112

    There are few things in this world of ours that are as pure as this song.

    • @Coneman3
      @Coneman3 Год назад +2

      It’s the perfect song of its type. As good as anything the Beatles wrote imo

    • @thomasmacdiarmid8251
      @thomasmacdiarmid8251 8 месяцев назад +2

      @@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.

    • @marshastapleton1148
      @marshastapleton1148 2 месяца назад +1

      @@Coneman3 It beat out the Beatles for Best Song of the Year that year

  • @michaelschey1084
    @michaelschey1084 Год назад +77

    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

    • @kokomojoe6552
      @kokomojoe6552 Год назад +2

      Thank You

    • @freeperjim
      @freeperjim Год назад +7

      Another "Wrecking Crew" studio musicians masterpiece!

    • @gettingkilt
      @gettingkilt Год назад +2

      Gary Coleman was only 2 years old when this was released! Watchoo talkin bout, Willis?

    • @thomastimlin1724
      @thomastimlin1724 Год назад

      Gary Coleman on vibraphone? "What you talkin' about Willis?"...okay, somebody had to say this....

    • @thomastimlin1724
      @thomastimlin1724 Год назад

      @@gettingkilt You and me both on that hahahaha

  • @NoxiousRob
    @NoxiousRob 3 месяца назад +6

    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.

  • @naomiledger1374
    @naomiledger1374 Год назад +24

    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.

  • @KevinRCarr
    @KevinRCarr Год назад +8

    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.

  • @PK1971PK
    @PK1971PK Год назад +38

    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.

    • @Doug.Helvering
      @Doug.Helvering  Год назад +7

      I am so sorry for your loss, my friend. Wishing you peace and healing.

    • @AnOldGeezer69
      @AnOldGeezer69 Год назад +2

      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

    • @alabhaois
      @alabhaois Год назад +1

      🫂🫂🫂

  • @perry3928
    @perry3928 Год назад +29

    To me, it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Amazing vocals and arrangements. Thanks for sharing.

  • @Chrisdrumz
    @Chrisdrumz Год назад +10

    Paul doesn't come in until the "Sail on silver girl........"

  • @glennytrades3357
    @glennytrades3357 Год назад +19

    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.

    • @Chrisdrumz
      @Chrisdrumz Год назад +1

      Yes, that's Art.

    • @ebob4177
      @ebob4177 Год назад

      I never noticed how Simon-like Art sounded on that part, but it's true. He really did sound like Simon there.

  • @richardtodd6843
    @richardtodd6843 Год назад +25

    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.

  • @mjsmcd
    @mjsmcd Год назад +12

    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

    • @alabhaois
      @alabhaois Год назад +2

      He plays with such delicacy

  • @andreaspfau
    @andreaspfau Год назад +7

    One of the most beautiful goose bump songs ever. It touches me. Always. This is so 60/70s.. 🙂the arrangement, the dramatic climax, the sound. Played in a studio live while recording. And no technology today can replace that. Try - you will fail. It needs to played like that. This is breathing music. And that is the magic that this "old" music still has to offer to us today.

  • @kayedeedid
    @kayedeedid 7 месяцев назад +7

    I don't know anything about music theory, I just know what overwhelms me. This one does it every single time.

  • @bethrappeport9381
    @bethrappeport9381 Год назад +4

    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.

  • @brad42948
    @brad42948 Год назад +17

    There's a wonderful pureness of thought in many of their arrangements, and such intelligent songwriting; but, it _is_ impossible to take your ears off that extraordinary vocal.

  • @cheffrey82
    @cheffrey82 Год назад +13

    Great shout out for Art Garfunkel's vocals, I think you're spot on about his purity of voice. The only other male singer I think is close is Harry Nilsson.

  • @rg807
    @rg807 Год назад +3

    That's about as beautiful as a piece of music can get.

  • @stoppropaganda2573
    @stoppropaganda2573 Год назад +28

    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!

    • @squaaaaak3178
      @squaaaaak3178 Год назад +7

      One of my favorite songs since childhood.

    • @Bellathor
      @Bellathor Год назад +3

      Fuuuuck, such a beautiful song. Haven't heard it in ages.

    • @MilosDaddy
      @MilosDaddy Год назад +2

      My niece was named for that song!

    • @jackburley4976
      @jackburley4976 Год назад

      Completely agree 💪

    • @fufufoofoo
      @fufufoofoo Год назад +1

      Yeah, That song is perfect too !

  • @richyasi7424
    @richyasi7424 Год назад +6

    I love how in each successive verse, the vocals get louder and more reverb is added to them. By the end, they are positively triumphant. An amazing performance combined with sensitive production.

  • @soggytom
    @soggytom Год назад +13

    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.

    • @Doug.Helvering
      @Doug.Helvering  Год назад +7

      You are not alone, Tom. We are thankful that you are here and part of The Daily Doug community. Wishing you peace, my friend.

    • @soggytom
      @soggytom Год назад +2

      @@Doug.Helvering Thanks, Doug . Glad to be here.

    • @kathybwell
      @kathybwell Год назад

      Right there with you Tom.

  • @davidschecter5247
    @davidschecter5247 Год назад +12

    Like "Moon River" and few others, this is one of the few "perfect songs." The great Larry Knechtel on piano. He later of Bread, which deserves to be heard as well.

  • @peacefulpossum2438
    @peacefulpossum2438 Год назад +3

    Never fails to give me chills and teary eyes. Sublime.

  • @jpwjr1199
    @jpwjr1199 Год назад +3

    Doug, just a head's up - Where you say "iv to I" is actually iv dim to I (Ab dim to Eb). It's why Knechtel can put the B in the bass part of the piano underneath the F and G in the melody Art's singing and it still works.

  • @Frankincensedjb123
    @Frankincensedjb123 Год назад +20

    As a kid, my parents often had a couple over for dinner, and they all loved this album, especially, Cecilia. I'd be upstairs at midnight trying to get to sleep while they played that song over and over again. This may be Simon & Garfunkel's last album together, but to me it's their best, one that certainly demands a track-by-track analysis. 5:50 - 7:10 😪😥😢😭

    • @scottdavenport2654
      @scottdavenport2654 Год назад +3

      I could have written the exact same thing. My parents loved this album. When Cecilia came on they cranked it up. I knew all the words to each song at 5 or 6 yrs old.

  • @RalfJonasson
    @RalfJonasson Год назад

    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...

  • @minty_Joe
    @minty_Joe Год назад +10

    Another favorite of mine on this album is "The Only Living Boy in New York". The vocal harmonies on that track are stunning!

  • @mftubeyou
    @mftubeyou Год назад +4

    An amazing song in so many ways. "Sail on silver girl .." gets me every time.

  • @nikolajkrarup8750
    @nikolajkrarup8750 Год назад +2

    This awesome song is such a comfort to listen to when you are having a hard time.

  • @jeffrubinelectronics
    @jeffrubinelectronics Год назад +5

    Are you aware that the piano was played by Larry Knechtel? He also played bass for the Doors, Guitar (the solo in Guitar Man) as a member of Bread. He was a session player in "The Wrecking Crew". Many hits. My session hero of the era. (I toured with Oingo Boingo '93, guitar, amongst other sessions, tours, gigs).

  • @edwardmeade
    @edwardmeade Год назад +6

    It's interesting that Paul wrote two verses. After they recorded that, Roy Halee and Art realized that the song was very good but not complete, so they leaned on Paul to write that third verse.."Sail on Silver Girl." When it came time to release a single Paul and Art figured that "Cecilia" would be the song but the record company said no. "Bridge over Troubled Water" might not sound like a 'typical' top-40 song, but it was the best written, best arranged, best performed, best produced song they had ever done so it would be the single and the rest is history. The times were different back then as well. You could have "A Boy Named Sue", "L'Amour est Blue" (with an oboe riff!) Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Jefferson Airplane and Motown all played on the same radio station at the same time. I don't know that this song could have found a niche in today's fragmented music scene.

  • @Roku177
    @Roku177 6 месяцев назад +3

    chills is the only way to describe this 🥶😊🎼🎵🎶🎶

  • @EddieReischl
    @EddieReischl Год назад +6

    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.

  • @GrafStorm
    @GrafStorm Год назад +9

    Wonderful song, kills me every time I listen, slayed. Merry Christmas Doug and all!

  • @darkogregec7503
    @darkogregec7503 Месяц назад

    What a masterpiece. They are from another world.

  • @davidbentley145
    @davidbentley145 Год назад +1

    Soul stirring are the words to descibe this heartfelt beauty...Ty brother

  • @getexis8685
    @getexis8685 Год назад +1

    Almost a musical sigh so well composed.

  • @youcantleavethisempty
    @youcantleavethisempty Год назад +1

    We didn't have many albums in our house when I was young, but this was one of them.

  • @andorius
    @andorius Год назад +4

    Great song. Happy christmas Doug, thank you for the great videos. A fan from the Netherlands.

  • @otakubancho6655
    @otakubancho6655 Год назад +4

    Absolutely the most perfect song ever written!💖💖💖

  • @JoriDiculous
    @JoriDiculous Год назад +4

    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.

  • @LB-gz3ke
    @LB-gz3ke Год назад

    I cry every time I hear this. Every time. Not because of a personal story just because of the words.

  • @jacquelineanderson5011
    @jacquelineanderson5011 Год назад +1

    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.

  • @joelliebler5690
    @joelliebler5690 Год назад +1

    Like an Angel from heaven delivering the perfect song emotionally touching all earthling souls!

  • @Plantagenet1956
    @Plantagenet1956 Год назад +1

    This song is just one of those songs, you just sit back, listen and enjoy it’s sounds, the music itself, and how you react to it.

  • @dougreed2257
    @dougreed2257 Год назад +3

    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!!! 😂😊🎶🎶

  • @nancycarpenter5093
    @nancycarpenter5093 Год назад

    I will always remember the first time I heard this song. I had just parked my car and was planning to spend my afternoon shopping. The very beginning with the piano and then Art's beautiful voice caught my attention and I had to stay put to listen. What a journey- I was in tears by the end and I knew if was going to be song of the year. All these years later I still get teary listening to this masterpiece. This version far exceeds any other version, including Elvis Presley's.

  • @billmiller4972
    @billmiller4972 Год назад

    Thanks a lot for taking up this song. I love it since I was a small boy.

  • @toyfreaks
    @toyfreaks Год назад +1

    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.

  • @tommonk7651
    @tommonk7651 Год назад +6

    What a gorgeous song.... I can't imagine hearing anyone other than Art Garfunkel sing it.

    • @squaaaaak3178
      @squaaaaak3178 Год назад +2

      Elvis did a passable job, in his own inimitable style.

    • @cindyinnew
      @cindyinnew Год назад +2

      I really agree, but for a really standout cover check out Roberta Flack with the Newark Boys Choir cover

    • @chrishynes9585
      @chrishynes9585 4 месяца назад

      @@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.

  • @georgedavis-stewart4225
    @georgedavis-stewart4225 Год назад +1

    An exquisite arrangement and performance.

  • @Stogdad1
    @Stogdad1 Год назад

    This beautiful song always makes me cry.

  • @metalfiregametime652
    @metalfiregametime652 Год назад

    Thank you for reminding me of this song. I haven't heard this one in years.

  • @78r0ckarolla
    @78r0ckarolla Год назад +6

    What an amazing job by Larry Knechtel on the piano .

  • @sandyadair4118
    @sandyadair4118 Год назад

    I love this song and I'm thankful for all you said about it. This song really touched my heart.

  • @gemes64
    @gemes64 Год назад +2

    Merry Christmas, Doug. Loved listening to your commentaries this year.

    • @Doug.Helvering
      @Doug.Helvering  Год назад +1

      Thank you friend, wishing you peace and happiness in the new year.

  • @charlieknowlton7003
    @charlieknowlton7003 Год назад +1

    I had read that at first, they didn't have the last verse. Garfunkle thought it should have a more dynamic ending with another verse. Finally Simon agreed and as he was not accustomed, he wrote the last verse as they were in the middle of sessions.

  • @underwoodvoice9077
    @underwoodvoice9077 Год назад +2

    An old friend of mine used to sing this as "Like a bridge over Ethel Waters". It rings a bit differently that way.

  • @michaelschey1084
    @michaelschey1084 Год назад +10

    Not only is this one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, it is one of the most perfect recordings ever.

    • @mrmusic248
      @mrmusic248 Год назад +1

      @michaelschey1084: Roy Hallee, engineer extraordinaire.

  • @shemanic1
    @shemanic1 Год назад

    a beautiful reaction to such an epic tune & as you say, recording.

  • @NicolasSilvaVasault
    @NicolasSilvaVasault Год назад

    such a legendary song, one of the most divine songs ever created

  • @cynthiashelton826
    @cynthiashelton826 4 месяца назад

    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.

  • @r1p2m32
    @r1p2m32 Год назад +1

    Thanks! This piece is one of the rare, beautiful things of the last 50-60 years. Their singing is pure, correct, musical. Why is this so impossible today?

    • @r1p2m32
      @r1p2m32 Год назад

      And yes! This beauty is worth some good whiskey. We may never again hear anything like this.

    • @r1p2m32
      @r1p2m32 Год назад

      And of course, to close the wondering -- nothing like this is allowed -- now. We all know why, and by whom.

    • @JacoWium
      @JacoWium Год назад +1

      @@r1p2m32 Why? And by whom?

  • @stevenschoen1138
    @stevenschoen1138 Месяц назад

    Wherever I’m at whatever I’m doing…this song comes on ..I stop and listen

  • @mandiferrer
    @mandiferrer Год назад

    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.

  • @grahamhowes6904
    @grahamhowes6904 Год назад +1

    The silver girl was Paul’s wife who was prematurely grey ..😊 Happy New Year and please more BIG BIG TRAIN in 2023 …. EAST COAST RACER live for example or THE UNDERFALL YARD sitting there behind you!

  • @rokker101
    @rokker101 Год назад +2

    Art Garfunkel sings all the lead vocals on this song

  • @fufufoofoo
    @fufufoofoo Год назад

    Doug, I love your skillful remarks, but above that , your human reaction, you could hear them before, the key is wise reaction, You got it , and a big heart ! Thanks . Mike

  • @wendyt7958
    @wendyt7958 Год назад +1

    Art Garfunkels voice is the pure icing to an already "purfect" song

  • @uncnorseman2670
    @uncnorseman2670 Год назад

    Still gives goosebumps after all these years!

  • @rokker101
    @rokker101 Год назад

    THE greatest male voice in popular music bar none ... Art Garfunkel ..an angel on earth

  • @donaldmccarthy7248
    @donaldmccarthy7248 Год назад +1

    Paul joins Art for a few lines beginning with "Sail on silver girl..."

  • @soulhealer20
    @soulhealer20 Год назад

    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.

    • @soulhealer20
      @soulhealer20 Год назад

      On guitar with dropped D tuning for some of those chilling bass notes.

  • @ivyfalls1
    @ivyfalls1 Год назад

    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.

  • @fredfredburger5150
    @fredfredburger5150 Год назад

    "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel is right up your alley Doug. That ending section!

  • @kajlennartsson4234
    @kajlennartsson4234 Год назад

    Happy Holidays Doug and Megan. I wish you a happy new music year ✨✨🎶🎶❤❤

  • @ebob4177
    @ebob4177 Год назад

    SIR, WHY ARE YOU NOT CRYING?????!! 😭 I'm in tears.

  • @alanclouthier3524
    @alanclouthier3524 Год назад

    Larry Knechtel played piano on this song. He won a Grammy for his performance. Larry was a member of the storied Wrecking Crew.

  • @sledzeppelin
    @sledzeppelin Год назад

    Beautiful song from the best of their amazing albums.

  • @erickvermeulen9734
    @erickvermeulen9734 Год назад +3

    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?

    • @squaaaaak3178
      @squaaaaak3178 Год назад

      There's a better live version, from 1969 or 1970. it's on RUclips. 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.

  • @garyjerreat8521
    @garyjerreat8521 Год назад

    Such an amazing song sung by amazing singers

  • @MisterWondrous
    @MisterWondrous Год назад +1

    "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

    • @soggytom
      @soggytom Год назад +2

      This. Absolutely this.

  • @thomastimlin1724
    @thomastimlin1724 Год назад

    it has been said to me by a professor in a graduate class seminar music course that the keys of D, Eb, E are in the vocal range of most human voices to sing.

  • @frankswarbrick7562
    @frankswarbrick7562 Год назад +1

    The first power ballad? :-) Such an amazing performance by Art Garfunkel.

  • @jerryjones2818
    @jerryjones2818 Год назад +1

    There is an excellent vid on here about the making of that song. Larry Knechtel played the piano and contributed to the "gospel: sound Simon was looking for. Besides Art's voice, the magic was in the mixing on this one.

  • @LuisGarcia-ee2tr
    @LuisGarcia-ee2tr Год назад

    Fantastic song. Timeless.

  • @jamesdrynan
    @jamesdrynan Год назад

    It's an eargasm!

  • @StanEngland
    @StanEngland 6 месяцев назад

    The first S&G song that I didn't know all the lyrics (actually I knew them, but never got the verses in correct order). Still know several. "For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her" is still my favorite. " Good God, don;t jump!"

  • @victorsixtythree
    @victorsixtythree Год назад +1

    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.)

  • @tt-du6vc
    @tt-du6vc Год назад

    The song is divine.

  • @NickBR57
    @NickBR57 Год назад

    Thanks Doug. A masterpiece whatever your perspective.

  • @Becausent7
    @Becausent7 2 месяца назад

    Larry Knechel played that beautiful piano part. Interestingly, Knechel also played the honky tonk piano on Rockin Pneumonia.

  • @troywest
    @troywest Год назад +3

    Totally agree with your observations on Art' Garfunkel's voice, just stunningly beautiful

  • @richardhargrave6082
    @richardhargrave6082 Год назад

    Its wonderful

  • @MrAlexioor
    @MrAlexioor Год назад +3

    I also highly recommend the version by the colossal Neal Morse Band - ruclips.net/video/kXaLr2lP-2k/видео.html @Doug Helvering

  • @blakeh6250
    @blakeh6250 Год назад

    What a 💎 gem of a song.

  • @pambennett3390
    @pambennett3390 Год назад

    Paul Simon is a genius.one of the best songwriters of my time.

  • @mikeh8530
    @mikeh8530 Год назад

    I love watching you love music :-)

  • @markramsay6399
    @markramsay6399 Год назад

    Fabulous !