Bridge Over Troubled Water

This album is a reminder that everyone who has written a brilliant song (e.g title song and The Boxer) has also written a bunch of kind meh songs (see Frank Lloyd Wright, Why Don't You Write Me, and Song for the Asking).

It's hard to objectively rank this record, as I think it's probably the first adult-ish record that I remember listening to as a kid, thanks in large part to my parents' impressively meager record collection, of which this and a Beatles Greatest Hits album were as heavy-hitting as they came. I haven't listened to this album for many (many) decades, yet I found myself singing along to nearly every song except the ones I found so tedious as kid (and still do somewhat), namely the farewell odes to Garfunkel "So long, Frank Lloyd Wright" and "The only living boy in New York", plus the closer "Song for the asking". It was fun, though, to get this album 1000 albums into the collection, and to be able to hear how much this album was influenced by the likes of the Beatles (especially with tracks like "Keep the customer satisfied" and "Baby driver") and Paul Simon's need to escape the long shadow of Bob Dylan. Much like Cat Stevens, I find it hard not to give them five stars for an album, even if it's probably not *that* great.

Something instinctual inside me doesn't like either of these two, as if my inner bully wants to push Simon into a locker and give Garfunkel a wedgie... It's not something I do, in fact I'm normally a very nice guy who prefers to abstain from violence and I tend to support those in life who are the underdogs by helping them rather than hindering these downtrodden individuals. But these guys... only them... purple nurples all 'round. There's quite a juxtaposition for me on this album as there's things i really like (3 songs), one thing my younger self enjoyed (1 song) and there's things I don't appreciate (the rest). Tempted to only give 2 stars, but I'll give 3.

Title track is overwrought and I've heard it way too many times. There are some good tunes on this album to balance that out though.

Not as good as Bookends, but still an enjoyable album. Best: Cecilia Runner-Up: So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright Third: Baby Driver I don’t know why, but I couldn’t get into this album as much as Bookends. I felt like it was missing that soul seeking feel that Simon and Garfunkel possessed in Bookends. Their craft and musicianship is still fully in display and they make each song beautiful or catchy, but there’s just something missing that doesn’t provide as much depth for me. Maybe it was the opener, which, I hate to be that guy, but I didn’t care for that much. Just didn’t pull me in. Hopefully, that didn’t affect my overall taste of the album, but it might have. Still a fun listen that I did enjoy and isn’t that the whole point? Stars: 4/5 Rating: 8/10

Easy 5, a truly all-time album. This one has a lot of the good ones. The title track, Cecilia, the Boxer, El Condor Pasa. They're just all great. For being what is ultimately a popular music act Simon & Garfunkel sure did (do) have the chops.

It's okay

it's been a while since we've had one of these but, this album feels like another case of "if you heard the singles, don't bother". to me at least. i feel like other than the title track, "cecelia", and "the boxer", all of which i'm familiar with already, i didn't really get much out of this. it's not bad but.... its just like. ok. yknow? that said. the tracks i mentioned do fuck. and they all have some really crazy sounding drums, "the boxer" especially. it takes balls to put so much reverb on drums but they sure pulled it off. they sound big as fuck. and its awesome. i'd come back for those drums alone..... but maybe not so much the rest of the album.

The title track is so overblown and overplayed, but the rest of the album is perfectly pleasant. Very hummable, but not exactly essential.

Of course I'm familiar with most of these songs, but mostly through pop culture or the incredible Greatest Hits album. I loved this, easy 5

really comforting album. sounds like a 70s movie. or a new york winter

Of course it’s great. Good decision to let Garfunkel sing the title track and then go solo.

Took me 3 full listens of this album to start appreciating it. And I liked it. Good melodies. Probably just not the genre I listen to the most. It's kind of a folk pop rock. I knew that there was something there and I found it

An absolute classic. It’s one of those albums where the songs are so loved and well known that you almost forget they were once on an album, rather than the fabric of everyday life. Another must listen.

My parents listened to this album a lot when I was a child, so I am familiar with many of the songs. Favorites are El Condor Pasa, Cecilia, and The Boxer. Bridge Over Troubled Water is way to overplayed for me, but it is a good collection of good songs.

Classic.

it was quite enjoyable, however, i feel like i've heard this music before

327. ok

Nostalgic for me as I grew up with this.

I feel like its the same with all their records, both as a duo and solo: they strike gold on a couple songs, and the other songs are also there, I suppose. Those best tracks are really really good, but it makes the album listening experience a wait for those couple tracks.

listening to the remastered version and I swear there are instruments in there that I have never heard before. Maybe they have been brought up in the mix (esp in Cecilia) but it remains a classic album. Its a little like the BEatles albums for me; always been there, always brilliant and so much of part of the MUST HEAR musical canon that life without having this album in your life is difficult to comprehend... (10/5)

Gentle folksy twittering from the masters of folky twittering.

Tale as old as time, a group gets to their final album and shifts up their sound a bunch in ways that turn out to be experimentation leading into solo work but that also make some of their most compelling and timeless classics. And obviously, if you’re already as good as Simon & Garfunkel were, you’re really off to the races - there’s some strong folk tunes in here, a little more edging towards rock but also the international influences Paul Simon is gonna love and this little spark of American Standards type songwriting that gets you the title track and slices elsewhere besides. Just an incredible way to close out the 60s.

This video of Paul with a most unexpected musical partner, made me feel ignorant and small the first time saw it: https://youtu.be/1Q0szRvtT4M?is=qoOPzyFDDcUzu3KI

I'm not a big folk guy, so I didn't love this. Sure, I can appreciate that the songs are good, and there's a fair amount of experimentalness to it; but it's just not for me. Kinda cool that the album actually acknowledges the drama between the two and almost predicts their impending breakup. If you like folk/folk-rock, this has to be a classic record, but it's not for me at all.

Beautiful music, beautifully performed.

Simon & Garfunkel went out with some of their best work, their most cinematic and gorgeous songs closing out a contentious partnership that nevertheless spawned some incredible music. Everything is thoughtful, in its place, impeccably crafted, though not always the most memorable.

The generator decided to be kind to me on my birthday, great pick for the day! Favourite track: The Boxer

Had the chorus of baby driver stuck in my head all morning, too many classics to ignore

Similarly to Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, I love this album and have listened to it many a time but it’s not quite 5 stars.

Good album. It mostly surprised me that side from the centerpiece songs how short and punchy everything else is, and kind of reminds me of mid-sixties albums, where every song is basically hook and harmony, never exceeding three minutes in order to be ideal for radio play. The recording leaves a little to be desired (not sure if there's a remaster, but I didn't look too hard for one) and it falls off after "The Boxer" where the songs aren't as memorable, but overall the music's good and the title track especially earns all it's accolades.

Gay

I suppose that many people can write songs (not me, but the skill is well demonstrated in popular music history). But this is something else. The most fabulous composition, musical arrangement and vocal delivery of songs so distinctive and absolutely memorable. Well known, perhaps overplayed for some people's tastes. But absolutely masterful. Quality beyond the highest score available, I rate this album as a 6.

A truly great album. I listened to this religiously when I lived in Okayama a few years ago and for that reason, there is an element of nostalgia to this for me. I associate these songs with biking around in the baking Japanese heat, meeting up with friends, and cycling back through the suburbs late at night. Even without those memories attached, though, I would still think that this is still an incredible album. The songwriting and lyricism are top-tier, without even a single mediocre track. Fantastic production, beautiful instrumentation, and gorgeous harmonies throughout. A genuine contender for the greatest album of all time.

Holy peak

Ok not my style though and a bit slow

wow, some great songs! some not so great 😆 but all in all, a nice listen

Excellent Album. Many classics on this one.

The stereotype of the overly earnest folk singer is easy to poke fun at, but listening to this album it's hard not to marvel at the sheer beauty of the songwriting and performances, presented with nothing but wide eys and full hearts.

S&G are so peaceful

If I could give this 6 I would. One of my favorites. No bad song.

Många fina klassiker höjer betyget.

Excellent album. Iconic even. Even with the snoozers it's generational.

Bit of a mixed bag for me. I’ve always loved the sweet soothing sounds of S&G but some of the songs are also pretty annoying to be honest. The best track is The Boxer, I also really like El Condor Pasa. The worst one is Bridge Over Troubled Waters, sorry but I’ve just always found it schmaltzy. (3.5 stars)

One could argue the title track is overplayed..but a cracking album all the same

A folk rock classic. 4/5.

Not my favorite Simon and G-Funk album. The title track is a nice song, but the performance on tape here is not something I enjoy. El Condor Pasa is good. Never really cared for Cecilia. Then there is just a lot of mid fluff— Keep the Customer Satisfied, So Long Frank Lloyd Wright, Baby Driver, The Only Living Boy in New York. Okay, The Boxer is an amazing song, can't argue with that. But what's with the clapping on Bye Bye Love? Song for the Asking is nice, but at 1:49 it's too little, too late.

The Only Living Boy in New York is a desert island song for me. I like the Boxer as well. The rest of the album is unquestionably brilliant, but not my thing. The content of some of the songs reminds me of Mitch and Mickey from A Mighty Wind . . .

The algorithm is pushing all of S&G to the front of the line. I’m more familiar with this album. Never a bad one to revisit!

I have no clue how common or popular the sentiment is that Simon and Garfunkel were better together than when they went split up, but I will absolutely say that with my entire being. You don’t have the magical ethereal power of Cecilia, The Only Living Boy in New York, Bridge over Troubled Water, The Boxer, America, Mrs. Robinson without them together. Not sorry Paul, I love your lyricism but I’ve heard you when you’re by yourself and sans Art’s harmonies. It’s just not the same.

Some rightfully legendary songs. A few I didn't know but weren't bad either. Will probably not get a lot of plays from me in the future, but honestly giving this a 5/5. Not my personal taste for the most part, but it's perfect for what it is.

Not my thing

This is a really beautiful album. So weird such calm chill music led to one of the biggest musical feuds ever.

Somehow the title song escaped me for most of my life. I knew OF it of course, and was aware of its iconic stature, but it's not a song I was ever really exposed to or that I sought out, oddly enough. So finally, at long last, I have sunk my ears into Bridge Over Troubled Waters. And it's a very lovely little ballad. The album overall has its own iconic-ness too. Cecilia and The Boxer are timeless gems, and The Only Living Boy in New York is more of a modern classic for me because of the Garden State soundtrack. I wasn't familiar with the rest, but they all flow really well together and I love all the creative touches these songs possess.

absolute banger of a album, a pure masterpiece from Paul and Art Garfunkel. I have their greatest hits album on record, and I really want the seperate albums. Such beautiful songs, Bridge Over Troubled Water is a great song itself.

Making soft folk songs cool, again and again. And then sonically blowing me away with builds in The Boxer and beats in Cecilia. Love this album. Bridge Over Troubled Water El Condor Pasa (If I Could) Cecilia The Boxer The Only Living Boy In New York Bye Bye Love

Practically a greatest hits album in and of itself. I honestly don't know how you *couldn't* like this unless you're like "dudes harmonizing? that's so soft, man." (probably using an alternative term) Anyway, it's fucking brilliant.

I prefer the Willie nelson version of a bridge over troubled water , but not bad I really like Cecilia Enjoyed keep the customer satisfied

Fond memories here, my parents played this vinyl when I was growing up and maybe 8 track. Some great songs here, between the hits and others.

There isn't really a bad song on here and there are plenty of great ones.

3/5

一曲目から壮大でメロディアスな曲。びっくりした、人によっては感動する人もいるんじゃないか。 曲によって、静かなやつと割とポップな感じのやつがあって両方さすがと言った感じ。ゴスペルの要素が入ってたような気もした。ないかもしらん。 ライブ版の曲もあって、拍手とかも聞こえるんだけど、拍手の音圧えぐすぎる。フランクロイドライトって書いてる曲もあって、なんで？ってかんじ

Beautiful, lots of hits. Got a few fillers so it’s a hesitant max score here, but bridge over troubled water to me is just magnificent. 10/10

Classic.

Three grest classic songs, but the rest really doesn't interest me. 4 stars or B+.

There is some great songwriting in there, but also so chaff. I always enjoyed Bridge over troubled water but the end all gets a bit much for me, seems an unnecessary place for a song like that to build to. Cecilia and the Boxer are absolute classic songs, I was surprised by Keep the Customer Satisfied, Baby Driver, Bye bye bye and why don’t you write me.

★★★★★★

Very gentle voice, almost hard to hear at times. Very easy to listen to and have on in the background. The album art is hilarious to me.

nice

Superb album with some of the top Simon and Garfunkel songs from their catalogue. It's a classic that's lasted the test of time without dating. It doesn't get much better.

no mg

Banger. I've always been more partial to Bookends (minus "Voices of All People), but listening to it again straight through, it reminds me how amazing this album really is.

decent album, not my style, but there were a couple good songs like "bridge over troubled water", "cecilia", "the only living boy in new york". barely 3/5

My favorite simon and garfunkel album. I love all their work but this is the one that feels the most complete. All the way through it is just beautifully written and performed. This is the essence of music

I've been on a Simon & Garfunkel binge the last few weeks, so this came at perfect timing. They just really have cozy, folksy and oddly familiar movie any way you spin it. The only thing I can really say is that as an album experience, I really liked it, but I haven't noticed any stand out tracks.

Jamais écouté avant. Bridge Over Troubled Water est un monument aux excès du perfectionnisme en musique. Il ne viendrait à personne l'idée de contester le talent de songwriter de Paul Simon, qui ici comme ailleurs dans sa discographie, est entièrement perceptible. Mais à force de passer des dizaines, voire des centaines d'heure, à peaufiner le moindre morceau, à éliminer la moindre imperfection et à rajouter couche sur couche d'arrangements d'un goût pas toujours très affirmé, le résultat, c'est un disque certes brillant, mais lisse et ennuyeux au possible, tout en étant grandiloquent à en crever... Comme si, à force de vouloir emmener ses racines folk ailleurs, Paul Simon avait oublié que c'est dans la confrontation sans intermédiation ni coquetteries superflues entre un songwriter et l'auditeur que se loge toute la puissance émotionnelle de la folk. Sans oublier qu'à force de vouloir y injecter l'ensemble de ses inspirations du moment, l'album ressemble plus à une compilation un peu disjointe, de la musique traditionnelle péruvienne au gospel, du folk rock mélo au rockabilly acoustique, qu'à une véritable œuvre cohérente. Une vraie déception, donc. Top : The Boxer Flop : Bye Bye Love

4.7

Basically perfect from the first note to the last. I used to think the semi-live Bye Bye Love was kind of a misstep, but now I love it: We build from the haunting solitude of Bridge to the joyful community of Bye Bye Love, and end with a brief, civilized farewell.

nice

It was good i liked it

perfect!

Just a fantastic album.

I had an out of Boyd experience with keep my customer satisfied so 5

This was sorted on my birthday and I assume this is a great birthday present. I obviously know Simon and Garfunkel, knew their songs since I was a kid, but mainly the title track Bridge Over Troubled Water- my dad used to sing it and my mum also loved it. It was always in the back of my mi d to take my time and actually listen to the album and I am glad I finally did it.This album is much more varied than I expectedthere is the normal singer songwriter but they do explore with other instruments and melodies, and I can see now how much Sufjan Stevens have them as an influence. The songwriting is also good and detailed and a second listen wasn't enough. This is another band that goes to the list of bands I need to dig into discography. 4/5

The more chopped the artist, the better the music.

Incredible Simon & Garfunkel album. Hits in all the right ways Fave track: Bridge over Troubled Water

Not even trying to be contrarian - didn't recognise either of the two most successful tracks from this album (Bridge and Boxer), but I did recognise and enjoy most of the other tracks here, and more so than the aforementioned hits. Solid album overall. 3.5/5

Just not for me

One of the best albums of the 70s and certainly one that bridged the 60s into the 70s, get it? This was a first time listen for me all the way through as I don't recall ever listening to some of the lesser-known songs. The hits, though, are some of the greatest songs ever written and I've never dissected a song's lyrics like I did with the Boxer when I was in school.

So fucking good, their voices are so soft and sweet and the instruments are always doing some shit that makes me salivate

realmente, vir a discografia dos cara em ordem foi algo meio esquisito ainda assim, bem legal tô com meu amigo avaliador, o final de carreira dos caras é bem interessante. agora eu consigo entender o hype!!

bom, pelo menos veio rápido e na ordem certinha os albuns deles. que doideira. enfim. é bem na linha do bookends, ou seja, uns arranjos bonitos e umas músicas bem boas, hein. acho que eh um bom álbum pra finalizar a história do duo. enfim, aprendi a apreciar essa fase final deles. achei bacana!

Pretty good find, would love to have on vinyl.

The boxer ! , the only living boy in new york, baby driver (not bad)

Very close to a 5/5 for me and definitely would be a 4.5 if this did half star ratings HOW DID THEY EVEN GET THE BOXER TO SOUND LIKE THAT AT THE END IN 1970??? Probably one of my favorite songs ever

Really really great album, especially considering I didn’t really know many/any songs on it. Definitely need to get this on vinyl

Not surprised this was some quality folk rock or whatever you want to call it. It is front loaded in quality but the rest is nice and mellow. This was very close to being a four if only I had liked more songs.

To me this shows the potential that “popular music” can have from a production, performance and songwriting standpoint.

It was a beautiful and quiet and introspective start to the day yesterday when I listened to this.

"Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" were my favorites. My only problem with these two is that some songs are sooo slow.