Review #172: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel
#172: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel
I watched The Graduate recently and hoo boy, was I thrown off. I knew that S&G had contributed “Mrs. Robinson” to the soundtrack but I didn’t realize that they did, like, all of it. I know it’s a comedy, but it felt like a “comedy.” Know what I mean?
Anyway, I was a little skeptical about Simon & Garfunkel after that, because I wasn’t sure they would be very fun. But this album is a mix of melancholy tunes and outlaw party tunes. I mean, there’s way more melancholy than party, but “Baby Driver” is fun enough to carry me through the rest of the album.
This was their last album as a duet — they split apart in 1970 so Paul Simon could play on Sesame Street and Art Garfunkel could act in Catch-22. Apparently there was some contention about the songs that were included: Simon wrote a song called “Cuba Si, Nixon No” that Garfunkel vetoed. I guess he was already being radicalized.
FAVORITE SONGS:
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” — Art Garfunkel has the most gorgeous male voice ever. He hits notes that I don’t think I can even hit. Did you know he injured his vocal cords in 2010 after choking on a piece of lobster?? How could fate do that to Art Garfunkel??
“El Condor Pasa (If I Could)” — I’d rather be a hammer than a nail.
“Cecilia” — This was my Catholic confirmation name! Cecilia is the patron saint of music, so many of the other kids in my confirmatory class chose that name as well. Imagine all those Catholic parents listening to this song before the sacrament and hearing Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia/Up in my bedroom.
“Keep the Customer Satisfied” — Everywhere I go I get slandered/Libeled/I hear words I never heard in the Bible. Me too!
“The Boxer” — Lai-la-lai! I love when they just harmonize in thirds the whole way through a song.
“Baby Driver” — I was born one dark gray morn with music coming in my ears. LOVE this song, love this movie. I sped everywhere I drove for several months after seeing it. What’s my number??
“The Only Living Boy In New York” — I love songs about people being lonely in cities.
“Song For The Asking” — Gosh, don’t you think Simon and Garfunkel are proof positive that rock stars can also be poets?
LEAST FAVORITE SONGS:
“So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright” — I appreciate the shout-out to boxy architect FLW, but I’m bored.
IS RS FULL OF IT?
No — as always, the rare phenomenon of beautiful male harmonies is just magical.
