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Bridge Over Troubled Water | 
| Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $7.97
You Save: $4.01 (33%)
Rating:  58 reviews
Sales Rank: 906
Format: Extra Tracks, Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.5
MPN: 66004
UPC: 074646600429
EAN: 0074646600429
ASIN: B00005NKKZ
Release Date: August 21, 2001
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Bridge Over Troubled Water | | • | El Condor Pasa (If I Could) | | • | Cecilia | | • | Keep The Customer Satisfied | | • | So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright | | • | The Boxer | | • | Baby Driver | | • | The Only Living Boy In New York | | • | Why Don't You Write Me | | • | Bye Bye Love | | • | Song For The Asking | | • | Feuilles-O | | • | Bridge Over Troubled Water |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential recording
No one can say Simon & Garfunkel went out with a whimper. The popular duo's 1970 swan song produced four hit singles and won six Grammy awards, including Record, Album, and Song of the Year. An involving mix of sweeping epics ("The Boxer," the title track) and breezy throwaways (a live cover of the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love," the rock & roll trifle "Baby Driver"), Bridge was one of the most popular albums of its era. What's particularly striking about this collection is how brightly lesser-acclaimed songs like "So Long Frank Lloyd Wright" and the gorgeous "The Only Living Boy in New York" shine. (The 2001 reissue adds a pair of demos to the original work, including the traditional "Feuilles-O.")--Steven Stolder
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| Customer Reviews: Read 53 more reviews...
Sometimes, The Best Is Saved For Last January 2, 2009
BeatlesFan3287 (Fairfield)
It comes to no surprise that this album - recorded just before Simon and Garfunkels partnership disolved - features many of the strains and sadness of such break-ups. It is noticeable when you hear the first notes of the opening title track and the first heart-breaking line. In fact It is evident through-out nearly all the songs that the duo was parting ways. Even joyous tracks such as "Baby Driver" and "Keep The Customer Satisfied" cannot hide the pain and regret. Yet regardless of the strain they were feeling, the two managed to pull off a miracle and record what many regard as their best work.
Maybe its because of the somber atmosphere that the album is so successful. After all, people often see art and brilliance in pain and tragedy. Or maybe its because the album is just so well written and produced. With only the cover of The Everly Brothers "Bye Bye Love" falling flat, every song here is a masterwork. Paul Simon turns out some of his best - and most cryptic - lyrics with "The Boxer" and the title track. The production is top notch with the thunderous drums of "The Only Living Boy In New York" and the graceful strings of "So Long Frank Lloyd Wright" being just some of the many florishes to hear. Indeed, there may be many reasons why this album has become a classic - it did get the duo their first Grammy. What is important, however, is the irony that two guys who were hardly on speaking terms could put out what is possibly their best record.
This all very similar to what The Beatles were experiencing with Abbey road. Of course, that fued was between four guys. Its way more personal when its just between two of you. Like Paul McCartney with Abbey Road, Paul Simon wrote a few songs here that would point the future direction of his solo work. The African world beat of his album "Graceland" can already be heard in the track "Cecila" as can the softer, more adult sounds of "Still Crazy After All These Years"; apparent in such tracks as "The Boxer" and "El Condor Pasa". There are many parallels between "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Abbey Road" but perhaps the most important one is the proof that one can still work well even while under major stress. Unfortunately, it was the stress that led to the break-up of Simon & Garfunkel shortly after this release.
If the career of Simon & Garfunkel were a movie, it would definitly not have a happy ending. Luckily, however, the duo did reunite a few times - such as at their famous Central Park Concert - which is something The Beatles never did; perhaps proof that you can build stronger friendships with a one-on-one relationship than with four people. "Abbey Road" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" were kind of a final signal that the 60s were over and everybody had to move on. The greatness in those albums, however, act as a reminder to not forget the 60s regardless of how far in past they may be.
 Short Review: You won't Reget Getting It September 17, 2008
Untitled (nowhere)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Bridge over Troubled Water is just one of those albums that just feels so damn complete. One after another, this album boasts quite some variety, especiallly considering that this album is folk based. Folk based just has that natural, organic sound, and variety in that is just great. Nick Drake knew that, and it seems that Simon And Garfunkel know that as well. Plus, the music on this record is just dang good, period. Not just an acoustic guitar and a guy moaning, there is a variety of sounds in this record, and it can be very melodic. Yeah, it is catchy, but more than catchy. The melodies draw you in to Paul's Simon's pretty cool lyrics (not lyrical rocket science, but they get the job done).
The song Bridge Over Troubled Water, with it's epic piano and lush arrangements, has a great message about putting your life and helping those who are going through a tough time. I love the middle of it, with it's poudning, makes me think of a water show (huh?). El Condor Pasa, brings to mind an enchanted forest, not in a cheesy way, with it's percussion and flute, and lyrics about he's "rather be a hammer than a nail". After these kind of slow songs, Cecilia and Keep The Customers Sastisfyed brighten the mood with their upbeat sound. We get enough to keep us from falling asleep, until we get to the tribute by Simon to Garfunkel, So Long Frank Loyd Wright. The Boxer, tells about immigration in the first two verses (I have no idea what the third is) with a melancholy feel and that orchestra "Boom!". Baby Driver, once again, brings us back to jumping, and this song has no meaning, really, but it still is a keeper.
Alright, so the album fails a hair to live up to the tracks, but it still churns out great music. The Only Boy Living In New York is highly underrated, another song written For Garfunkel. Why Don't You Write Me, is kind of upbeat, and the guitars sing and breathe. Bye Bye Love isn't a very happy song, but a very sad message. IT's a bit immature and it would pretty much bug the crap out of me if I heard someone complain using the phrases. Besides, it actually has it's catharis, it makes you feel a bit better. Song For The Asking ends the album. Sure, it's not that great of a song, but it's short and winds you down. Of course, the remaster is great, and the bonus tracks are probably a good addition, but their are bonus tracks.
A great album. While not quite the greatest thing I've ever heard, and not exactly worth five stars, it's worth it. Organic music is what you need in life.
8.5/10
fine album--BRAVO, SIMON AND GARFUNKEL !!! April 22, 2008
Matthew G. Sherwin
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
Bridge Over Troubled Water is an outstanding, classic rock album from Simon and Garfunkel. These guys knew music and they played and sang so well that they remain very famous even after their split so many years ago. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very thoughtfully done.
The CD starts with the title track, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." They sing this beautifully and there is such a soothing quality to this rock ballad that you just can't resist it! "Bridge Over Troubled water" has an especially fine arrangement for the piano and this helps the melody along quite a bit. "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" has another very pretty melody for this considerably shorter ballad; Paul Simon sings this flawlessly and the flute is gorgeous on "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)." Great!
"Cecilia" rocks! This tune gives us Simon and Garfunkel singing out loud about a girl who can break a man's heart and not feel terribly bad at all about it. The beat is quite good for this song and it all holds its own very well. "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" is a lesser known ballad but it's really very well done; and the use of both major and minor keys enhances the natural beauty of this ballad.
"The Boxer" is one of their greatest hits ever--I always enjoy this even if I know there may be hidden meanings in the lyrics that I still don't understand. Simon and Garfunkel harmonize to perfection and the percussion helps to mark the best very well. I predict that you'll enjoy "The Boxer" very much if you haven't heard it already.
"The Only Living Boy In New York" puzzles me because despite its beauty it's not a song that gets the full; recognition it deserves. Simon and Garfunkel sing this without a flaw and "The Only Living Boy In New York" is clearly a highlight of this album.
Just as Amazon notes, we also get a live cover of The Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love." Simon and Garfunkel put their own stamp on this great ballad by changing a few keys here and there and it works wonders for this number. I love it!
"Feuilles-O" is an excellent bonus track on this album; and listen for a bonus track of another slightly different recoding of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." This demo works well but I think the final version worked best.
Overall, Simon and Garfunkel fans will want this for their collections; and people who enjoy classic rock and even some of the "oldies" will cherish this CD for years to come.
OVERRATED? ONLY IF YOU'VE LOST YER MIND ! (this album deserved all five Grammy Awards, and lives up to it's stellar reputation) March 5, 2008
ol' nuff n' den sum (the Virginia coast, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There are those who will tell you that Simon And Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) is "overrated", but I don't see it that way at all. The album contains two undeniable masterpieces, Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Boxer. Both songs are songwriting monuments, beautiful and significant, and the vocal performance and production on both is flawless. Bridge Over Troubled Water could quite possibly be the greatest song ever written. With an impressively gorgeous melody and inspiring lyrics that describe the most decent of all of human behavior, it rises to the highest level of greatness while simply and gently touching even the most helpless and vulnerable.
When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all
I'm on your side when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Cecelia is another great song, and while not as sweeping as the title song or painfully sad as The Boxer, it's infectious melody, Latin rhythms, and intelligent lyrics make it a classic and an all-time favorite of many. The simple folk song El Condor Pasa (If I Could) and the fragile The Only Living Boy In New York are both remarkable songs in their own right, but a little overshadowed by the three hit singles on the album. The big band jazzy Keep The Customer Satisfied is another winner here (I always think of Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman when I hear it). I also like the fun rocker Baby Driver and the live version of The Everly Brothers' Bye Bye Love. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright is a unique tribute to the famous American architect, and Paul Simon and his acoustic guitar close the album quietly and thoughtfully with A Song For The Asking.
Bridge Over Troubled Water was Simon And Garfunkel's last studio album, and possibly their best. It won five Grammy Awards including Album Of The Year, went to number one on the Billboard Music Charts, is ranked #51 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time list, and has sold over 25 million copies. This album isn't overrated, it's a wonderful classic!
BLOWN AWAY February 2, 2008
Taylor Lee (Texas Gal)
This is the first Simon & Garfunkel album/cd I have ever bought...wow! What a GREAT one to start with! I can't stop listening to it..I have subsequently purchased more cds and dvd concerts! I am a huge fan now...Ihave ALWAYS liked Paul Simon..didn't realize the enormous impact he has had on music..but now I see it...forget their "greatest hits" compilations...even if you have NEVER bought an S&G cd..this is the one to start with! awesome
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