Bridge Over Troubled Water [Gold CD]

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. --Steven Stolder --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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

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

Customer Reviews:

Simon & Garfunkel at their finest............2007-06-08

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER was my introduction to Simon & Garfunkel, as a young child. We owned the original vinyl edition, and I am (honestly) surprised that I didn't wear a hole through it! That's how often I lstened to it. Quickly, I memorized most of the songs and was constantly singing along to Art Garfunkel's light falsetto, that blended so well with Paul Simon's steadfast, slightly lower voice, in their singing duo. This album is filled with classic S&G songs that still remain very well known today. The title song is gorgeous and haunting, "El Condor Pasa" is their English language take on a traditional Incan melody rich with powerful lyrics, "Cecilia" is upbeat and syncopated, "The Boxer" can still bring tears to my eyes, and the rest of the songs are equally compelling (for different reasons). There are layers of brilliance, on BRIDGE, in the arrangements, delivery, and melody that carry the body of work with power and grace. I am sure you will agree and that is why I can't reccomend this masterpiece more.

Bridge.......2007-05-12

this album reminds me of my childhood. It is the ultimate Simon and Garfunkle album.

culmination of their evolution into pop music artists.......2007-03-07

As my title states, I believe this album is the culmination of S&G's evolution from a message-driven anti-war folk duo to phenomenal pop music artists. Some may find that evolution distasteful, even a betrayal of what their previous work accomplished. For me, what overcomes such thoughts is the simple beauty of the music. Yes, the title track sounds a bit overproduced, but the message and feeling still come through loud and clear, and no other performer of this song has come close to conveying what S&G were able to in their original recording.
El Condor Pasa brought Peruvian music to the pop world, an inkling of Paul Simon's later penchant for integrating world music into his work. My mother will forever quote the second line of that song when she wants to motivate me to do something ("I'd rather be a hammer than a nail"), and I guarantee that that song, as well as almost every other one on the album, will be remembered long after we are all gone.
One of the much criticized tracks in this forum has been "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright". It happens to be one of my all time favorite recordings. Mr Wright was and is a hero to me, standing for American originality, defiance of the status quo; the song is a fitting tribute. It is stunning in its simplicity, and Garfunkel's vocals are unmatched in their angelic tenor. And what pop or rock guitarist today could play the lovely guitar part in this song?
The rest are memorable, except for their live cover of "bye bye love", which, I will agree with others here, was a mistake to throw in. Certainly in my top 10 albums of all time.

great music.......2007-03-04

What a *fantastic* emotional album Bridge Over Troubled Water is. It's almost funny to me that this album was released almost on the same date as Black Sabbath's debut! This just goes to show how diverse and interesting the rock scene was back in the late 60's and 70's.

Anyone who loves taking an emotional roller-coaster ride will get a HUGE amount of satisfaction out of this album. Simply put- a must have. You will love this album now, and probably for the rest of your life. Buy it right now.

4.5 stars: Good album that falls apart at the end.......2006-10-05

A lot to like here, the very best songs being the legendary title track, the Boxer and The Only Living Boy in New York - Cecilia, El Condor Pasa, Baby Driver and Try to Keep the Customer Satisfied are also good songs. But some of these songs fall apart, particularly the last three: Song for the Asking feels incomplete; Why Don't You Write Me is a throwaway; the live cover of Bye Bye Love doesn't add much. Probably their best, though Bookends is also quite good.

Average customer rating:

Unsure
A tenor for the masses
A wonderful voice
Opera for the Masses
There will be copycats but Russell Watson is an Original!

Russell Watson · The Voice
Russell Watson , Stephen Warbeck , Giuseppe Verdi , Lucio Dalla , Zucchero , Cesar Franck , Ernesto de Curtis , Umberto Giordano , Nigel Hess , Russell Gordon Alistair / Mahoney Gary / Watson , Paul Simon , William / Ure, James Allen Christopher / Cann Warren / Currie , Luigi Denza , Freddie Mercury , Giacomo Puccini , Ennio Morricone , John Themis , Richard Harvey , and Caroline Dale
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Voice: The Ultimate Collection

ASIN: B00005B7JD
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

Nella Fantasia
Amor Ti Vieta
Pelagia's Song (Captain Corelli's Mandolin)
Caruso
Miserere
Panis Angelicus
Non Ti Scordar Di Me
La Donna E Mobile
Saylon Dola
Someone Like You
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Vienna
Funiculi
Barcelona (With Shaun Ryder)
Nessun Dorma!

Amazon.com

Russell Watson's story is a classic rags-to-riches fairy tale: The former welder, after years of singing in pubs and clubs, traveled from Salford, his hometown, to London. He turned up unannounced at the Decca offices and was promptly signed up by one of the most important classical labels in the world. Vocal coaching followed, as did a number of successful live appearances supporting Cliff Richard. Now, we have this recital CD, which explores a wide range of musical styles. Watson's Italian is a little ponderous in tracks such as "Amor Ti Vieta," but this is more than offset by his captivating and utterly natural-sounding tenor voice. The inevitable popular arias are here, namely "La Donna è Mobile" and "Nessun Dorma," sung with a refreshing and youthful vitality. Pop tracks, including Ultravox's classic 1980s hit "Vienna" and a witty cover version of "Barcelona" sung with former Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder, sit comfortably on the disc. Watson performs them with integrity, not simply paying lip service to the music of his generation. Watson has the potential to do for classical music what Jamie Oliver has done for cookery, and there are few people who won't find this debut CD appealing. --Rebecca Agnew

Album Details

Full Length LP from the British Tenor that Shot Straight to the Top of the UK Classical Charts. Features Many Beautiful Renditions of Classical and E-z Listening Standards, plus a Version of 'nessun Dorma', which Watson Often Sings Before High-profile English Soccer Matches.

Customer Reviews:

Unsure.......2006-01-07

I'm glad that musical artists besides opera singers are encouraging the art of opera. I also like some of his more upbeat selections as well. In my opinion though, I couldn't listen to his CD for very long. A couple of his arias sounded a bit splatty at times, and back in the throat at others. I don't claim to know everything about opera, I'm only in highschool, but his sound seemed quite pushed in places.
When all is said and done,however, I hope more people will come to know and love opera through his music.

A tenor for the masses.......2005-11-07

I hesitate to add my two cents where others have commented in such number. Still, there are a couple of observations I'd like to pass along, hoping they provide further insight into the phenomenon of Russell Watson and his singing.

First of all, I bought this CD never having heard of Mr. Watson--I just liked the looks of it and thought I'd give it a try. So my perception was based solely on what the CD offered. And I liked it! Both the first time and the next several times. (If I want to get analytical, I can find flaws here and there, but somehow I always enjoy hearing it. Period.)

Why do I like it? For a starter, the performances are musical, interesting, exciting, and aesthetically appealing--and that's my first test of quality. (What good is the greatest, most refined, rendition if you find your attention wandering?) Next, I think Watson's musical instincts (and those of whoever else assisted in creating this CD) are pretty much dead-on. There isn't one track I don't like, though some are clearly my favorites.

OK, the operatic bits don't sound like Pavarotti or Domingo, whom I also love very much. So what? Who says there has to be only one way to do an aria? This music is good enough to support a variety of interpretations. (Now if I could only afford one CD, I'd have to be more demanding.)

This is music for regular people, not necessarily for the elite, and I'm enough of a musical democrat to welcome it. If Watson didn't emerge from a high-class musical background, but still found his way to this music, I say more power to him! He must have an inborn feeling for it, and enough of a voice to perform it convincingly.

We've known a few other tenors from humble musical settings who've risen to popular acclaim (e.g., Mario Lanza). They happen to hear some fine tenor singing and find they can imitate it, and not too badly. With a little encouragement they keep at it, take a few lessons, and soon they're on their way. Where they go from there depends on talent, luck, and choices. I don't know where Watson's career will go in the long run, but I like this initial CD (and the two or three following it).

One concern I felt in listening to "The Voice" was for the voice itself. It seemed to me that Watson might have been forcing it too much, in heroically belting out those high notes. From what I now read, that concern was well founded, for Mr. Watson has had to undergo throat surgery. I hope his recuperated voice will retain the excitement and charm we have grown accustomed to and will serve him (and us) for many years.

A wonderful voice.......2005-05-28

I'd just like to say that while most of the opera purist lot criticize his "untrained voice", they are completely neglecting to say that the beauty of his voice is completely NATURAl. He is a man with a naturally beautiful voice, not one worked on for dozens of years in a conservatorium. Personally, that in itself is commendable. Yes, his pronunciation is not exactly perfect, but I think that this adds to his charm - how his gift (and yes, it is a gift) to him from welding to living out his dream.

Opera purists are a dying race. Making opera accessible to other people is not a crime. I have been brought up in a house filled with music, quite a lot of opera. And I do not think that making opera more accessible is a bad thing. Bringing a more youthful image to opera is a very positive thing. We are seeing a whole generation of artists with wonderful voices, ridding opera of its middle aged image.

Bravo, Russell! You're doing a great job.

PS: Opera purist, I can assure you Russell does not spend a sleepless night on account of your whining. So I suggest you learn to deal with the new youth of opera.

Opera for the Masses.......2005-04-25

Talented Watson brings a youthful, casual elegance to opera which will appeal to opera lovers and novices alike.

Some critics are hard on him for pandering to the pop aspects of modern operatics, but I wouldn't call him a sell out at all, as he certainly has the vocal skills to back up his commercial appeal.

There will be copycats but Russell Watson is an Original!.......2005-03-04

One listen to the voice and it will offer you a true appreciation for this hybrid singer. I call him a hybrid singer because he is one of the new generation singers that have the range to sing beatiful, classical pieces as well as pop songs. Russell has the looks of a boy band star but he chose, instead, to follow his heart and bring beautiful, european music to the world's attention. While I have heard comparisons to Josh Groban let me just set the record straight. Russell Watson is the original while Josh Groban, who needs a good barber, is the copy. Russell's first album, the voice, was released in April 2001. Josh Groban's cd was released in May 2002. Both singers have worked with some of the same producers but there is no true comparison when you hear the range and beauty of Russell's voice. He truly could have been an opera singer and has performed in a few operas in europe. I wont bother to get technical about this cd. It truly is one of my favorites in an extensive mixed cd catalog that I own. What I will say is to listen to a few sample tracks and understand what so many of us in the U.S. and abroad already know: Russell Watson is King!

Average customer rating:

A Beautiful, Relaxing Project
It just cannot be the end for Charlotte's classical career! :(
Charlotte Church
Somewhat decent but still mediocre
R&B For Charlotte

Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church
Charlotte Church
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Enchantment
Voice of an Angel
Charlotte Church
Tissues and Issues
Dream a Dream

ASIN: B00006LFGG
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

Pie Jesu from Requiem
My Lagan Love
In Trutina (from Carmina Burana)
Panis Angelicus
Amazing Grace
Just Wave Hello
La Pastorella (The Little Shepherdess)
She Moved Through The Fair
Ave Maria
Dream A Dream (w/ Billy Gilman)
The Flower Duet
Haba
The Prayer (w/ Josh Groban)
All Love Can Be
It's The Heart That Matters Most
Tantum Ergo
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Sancta Maria

Amazon.com

Need more evidence of the record industry's obsession with youth? Consider that budding Welsh diva Charlotte Church was a ripe, old 16 when this, her first greatest-hits anthology was released. Spanning her first four releases, as well as some outside collaborations and unreleased material, this 18-track collection underscores the soprano's seemingly boundless potential--as well as some potential career obstacles ahead. Her crystalline, still-maturing voice is best showcased on classically oriented works like Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu," Franck's "Panis Angelicus," and her now-ubiquitous rendering of Delibes' "Flower Duet." She also excels on folk traditionals such as "She Moved Through the Fair" and "My Langan Love." But overwrought productions like the already-dated "Dream a Dream" and "Habanera," a faux-flamenco take on Bizet, nearly get the best of her. Still, her promising duet with fellow young phenom Josh Groban on "The Prayer" and her mature, dreamy reading of A Beautiful Mind's "All Love Can Be," as well as strong performances on the previously unreleased "It's the Heart That Matters Most" and "Bridge over Troubled Waters," are ample evidence of her potential for rewarding pop crossover--if she doesn't retire by 21. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

A Beautiful, Relaxing Project.......2007-06-15

My only other experience with Charlotte Church was seeing part of a PBS special on her, where she sang songs like "Some Enchanted Evening". I actually enjoy her voice on this style of music.

I love her rendition of "Amazing Grace". She also did good on covering "Bridge Over Troubled Water", though I was disappointed she didn't try the high note on the verses as Garfunkel did. My favorite on the project was "It's the Heart That Matters Most".

If I want some beautiful sounding music to relax to while I'm working, this would be a very good project for that.

It just cannot be the end for Charlotte's classical career! :(.......2006-08-20

I'm just shocked that Charlotte has decided to end her classical career with this mediocre assortment of her most loved pieces from her other albums! I wish that she had re-sung all of the pieces to make them sound better than ever with her mature voice! To me, it seems disgusting that anyone would want to end their career with a last album that sounds the way this album does!

Her beginning pieces (Pie Jesu, My Lagan Love, In Trutina, Panis Angelicus, and Amazing Grace) were sung at the beginning of her classical career, and you can hear her flat vowels and shaky low notes. You can also hear it in "She Moved Thru the Fair". It's really annoying!

La Pastorella is a beautiful song to sing, and Church masters it beautifully! Just Wave Hello - the Ford Anthem, is also a beautiful piece, with amazing work from the orchestra.

Ave Maria is a complete annoyance! Church lays on the high notes too much, putting too much emphasis on them, and it's an annoyance! Her vowels are also flat on the high notes - I just hate it!

Dream a Dream is a very nice piece, leaning more towards the pop scene. Church still seems to make it work, and I would listen to it all day!

The Flower Duet is a beautiful song, but Church's vocals are strained, which makes it hard to listen to with a smile on your face! It's still beautiful!

The Prayer (w/ Josh Groban) is a very nice piece, originally sung by Celine Dion. She's still a little bit flat here!

All That Love can Be is sung beautifully, completely smooth and connected. The vocals are flawless and have a mezmerizing effect.

It's the Heart that Knows is a pop piece that Church sings with strong vocals. It's just showing us that she's ending her career as a classical superstar!

Tantum Ergo, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and Sancta Maria, are all beautiful pieces!

I am a Charlotte Chruch fan, no doubt, but I really didn't like this album! I still wish that she would stay with opera, but I guess dreams don't come true! I wouldn't advise you to buy this CD - but as long as you have Voice of an Angel, Charlotte Church (the Self Titled Album) and Enchantment, there's no need for this CD!

Sorry Charlotte!

Charlotte Church.......2006-07-29

Love that voice!! This is a great CD and any one who had not heard this young lady sing should buy it and prepare for some musical enjoyment.

Somewhat decent but still mediocre.......2006-06-07

I am well aware of Charlotte's age. However, I am also aware of her amazing vocals and powerful range. But these things don't make you a good singer. Charlotte chose to stick to opera in most of her songs. And face it, not just anyone can do opera.

Charlotte's voice is very well trained - maybe too trained. From a very young age she's been hitting the same notes as Sarah Brightman. But I feel that Charlotte's over-worked and not to mention overdone voice has been declining tremendously.

But I guess none of this really matters now because I haven't heard her do anything classical for a while. If you want to listen to Charlotte now, go find the song 'Crazy Chick.'

If you want to listen to other angel voiced sopranos, I'd go with Sarah Brightman or Renee' Fleming.

R&B For Charlotte .......2006-05-07

If a bird can be annoying as in a Rooster Crowing in the morning, some people will like it. A dog can bark in the nights we sleep, some People will like it. A human voice so light, so vibrated within their own dimensions, people will like it, but not I. I never really saw the beauty of opera, agitating to the ears, just like a Rooster calling on it's hens. With that said, Charlotte needs to turn to Blues Rock or R&B. Yes, Boogie style Blues Rock, she has the voice for it. No matter how many here perceive Opera or know what should sound good, no opera singer could ever sing Blues without a voice and a heart for it. Not One! So why should a girl with soulful music embedded in her, do the same? I say, "it's time to really Rock Charlotte!"

Bridge Over Troubled Water/This Is The Night

Average customer rating:

Great, but TOO MUCH BACKGROUND
A Retrofit of This "Bridge" is Inspiring
Clay's singing is awesome!!! Long analysis of arrangement.
Perfect
A Clay fan

Bridge Over Troubled Water/This Is The Night
Clay Aiken
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00009PRZF
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Bridge Over Troubled Water
This Is The Night

Album Description

2003 single on RCA from American Idol runner-up, the title track is backed with 'This Is The Night'.

Customer Reviews:

Great, but TOO MUCH BACKGROUND.......2006-06-10

I rated this CD a 5 only because of Clay. However, the background music is entirely too loud and strong and it overpowers Clay's voice. I was especially disappointed when, after watching American Idol, Clay hit that last note at the end of the song with such power it gave me chills. I expected to hear the same on the CD. Not so. The musicians literally drown him out. Love Clay, but the background music is just too much.

A Retrofit of This "Bridge" is Inspiring.......2006-01-19

Clay Aiken takes this old classic from the treasury of Simon and Garfunkle and turns it into a near-hymn. Beautifully arranged and backed up by a full choir, this is a welcome addition to any collection.

Clay's singing is awesome!!! Long analysis of arrangement........2005-08-28

Hi. Thank you for reading my review out of 2000+ others.

I give this recording 5 stars simply for the wonderful singing of Clay Aiken, which we all agree is amazing and beyond reproach. How did this guy remain anonymous so long until Idol discovered him? Well, even later rather than sooner, it was inevitable that talent this huge would "make it."

However, the reason for this review is to critique the arrangement of "Bridge," and I'm sorry to say that it comes up a little short.

I'll give the arranger some points: The arrangement is original and unique, and it's ambitious. It tries to be better than the original, and it almost gets there. But because of a few flaws it falls down and I'll label it "bombastic."

Problem #1: The build doesn't work. A typical pop arrangement starts off quiet and simple, and gradually builds to a hopefully shattering climax. The gradual build is key to triggering the "goosebump effect." You are enjoying the beautiful quiet verse and as the arranger steps it up just a notch, say by adding in a second vocal voice or introducing the strings in the second verse, your subconcious recognizes that build and thinks "Man, this is getting better than I expected. If it was great in verse one, and it's better in verse two, I can only imagine how good the final verse and chorous are going to be, and the finale is going to be incredible! And with that intangible and unproven expectation your imagination gets captured and everything comes together. However in this arrangement the arranger blows that and instead starts off from the first with an overly rambunctious loud choir and driving drums. He then continues to interrupt the build by turning the voltage up and down throughout the song. Loud intro, quiet first verse, loud chorous, drop it back down for the third verse, then turn it up again for the end. The end result is boring and a "just more of the same" effect.

Problem #2: The choir is too rowdy and obscures Clay's voice. That is just not allowed!!! Not with *my* Clay Aiken. Turn them down and don't turn them up again. I am paying money to hear the star, not a bunch of nobodies wearing purple robes.

Problem #3: Here is the crucial mistake: The arranger fires off his finale fireworks too early and is left with nothing with which to blow me away. In the chorous just before the third verse, Clay's soaring voice jumps off melody and hammers a few impossibly high notes several intervals higher than expected and we get the "money shot." Not only that, but the arranger drives the point home with hammering orchestra hits, even slowing down the tempo. It sounds just like a climactic ending. But as Clay finishes it up, the rhythm section continues playing, drops the voltage way back, and introduces the third verse. Your subconcious reacts: "There's more? That's not right. They're not going to be able to deliver more than what I just heard. Hmmm, I'm skeptical. It's either going to have to be something so great that it's never been heard before in pop music history, or it's going to be a letdown." Then the final climax is very similar to the one we just heard, slightly better, but not enough to deliver that "shattering" effect. Instead it delivers a "more of the same" effect, it's a letdown, and that ruins the entire thing. The original arrangement carefully built up to that climax and that was really the payoff of the whole song. This arrangement fails in this most critical place.

As I was listening to this song for the first time, towards the end of the second verse I recognized where the arrangement was heading. I paused it and remarked to my wife: "I see where this is going. The arranger has stepped the intensity of this song way up and he is trying to outdo the original. Well, the original depended on the climax, and if this arrangement is going to beat that, it will really have to deliver there. We'll see if he can pull it off." I then resumed the play. I was surprised to hear those early fireworks, and then the end just couldn't deliver.

Problem #4: After all of that, the final straw is the contrived finale. Clay sings the entire song. The lyric is done. The high notes have been hit. The orchestra has hammered the whole thing to a close, Clay's voice exits and the choir comes in to clean up the mess and close the whole show down. But the arranger throws in a few pivot chords and brings it back one more time so that Clay can blow us away. Clay comes back in, causing yet another mood swing and another increase in voltage, and hits a few notes even higher than before. Finally the song ends. It's just too contrived and obvious.

Now there's no reason that mood swings, voltage fluctuations, early fireworks, etc. can't work in the hands of a skilled arranger, but to throw all the usual rules of arranging away like this is going to require real skill and genius to make it work. Unfortunately it's not here.

To tell the truth, I never have liked this song. For one thing, the lyrics don't say much. They don't tell a complete story. What is "silver girl?" Is that a plane? Or is that a hypodermic needle delivering a drug as some have suggested? I did some research but couldn't find an analysis of the lyric, though I did find lots of people saying this is excellent song. I have always felt that the main value of this song is Art Garfunkel's high notes at the end.

Flawed, but pleasingly ambitious, arrangement aside, one thing is for sure, Clay Aiken's singing is a ten. And despite the finale not bringing about the intended effect, the final high notes are simply unbelievable. Whoever thought that this nobody could hit all those notes? I think he compares favorably to Art Garfunkel, or even beats him by a good margin. That's huge.

Perfect.......2005-04-05

During the finale to the second season, Randy Jackson, I believe, said to Clay that when he first heard This is the Night (prior to Clay's performance) he didn't like it. Then, upon hearing Clay sing it, with perfect vocals and impressive poise, he Jackson changed his mind. He said something like, "Dog, you made it your own." Even Simon liked it.

Then Clay sang Bridge Over Troubled Water. Simon and Garfunkel are no slouches, but Clay's live performance, I'm sorry to say, topped them, and for the first time, Clay didn't seem remotely awkward on stage. He was at home, this was his element, and he ended the song with such potent punctuation that I find myself choked up and speechless. He threw himself into that performance with more gusto than I'd ever seen him muster during the season - and mind you, I was rooting for him from the beginning, and even if he was awkward on stage from time to time, I really didn't care. Still, this performance was astonishing. Simon himself said, "I think with this song you may well have won this competition". I was surprised and disappointed that he didn't. It would have been nice to see Clay's face in the opening credits of the third and fourth seasons of American Idol rather than Ruben with his ridiculous hat. (Just doesn't look good on a guy his size. Sorry.)

I was very happy that Bridge Over Troubled water was included on this CD, although I must admit that I wish it had been the live performance. Still, while the live performance topped Simon and Garfunkel, the recorded version was still excellent and did Simon and Garfunkel proud.

A Clay fan.......2005-03-16

Well, it seems a little silly to write a review about a song that has been out for several years and has already had 2,128 online reviews written for it. But, I am slowly going through my CD collection and writing reviews for everything I own. Anyway, I am a Clay fan and I loved this CD the minute I bought it. I went home and played it over and over. Clay did a smart thing when he remade "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Instead of mimicking Simon & Garfunkel's haunting original version, he turned it into a powerful, emotional, spiritual song and made it all his own. If you are gonna remake a classic, you gotta do something to make it better or why even bother. The new song, "This is the Night", is also good, but seems pale next to "Bridge". Clay has shown the world that he deserved to win American Idol instead of Ruben Studdard. He likely would have won, except for the fact that the producers did everything they could to make sure he didn't win. Anyway, Clay is getting the last laugh now.

Average customer rating:

Ray Conniff does it again with this collection!!
Not bad, but far from his best
this is terrible
Two Great Albums from a Great Bandleader
A few problems but overall ok

Jean: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Ray Conniff
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Time For Us
Love (Can Make You Happy)
The Windmills Of Your Mind
Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In
Jean
A Man Without Love
Ill Never Fall In Love Again
Spinning Wheel
The Power Of Love
Shadows Of The Night
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Everybody's Talkin'
Someone
Ill Never Fall In Love Again
Leaving On A Jet Plane
Honey Come Back
Something
Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head
Midnight Cowboy
All I Have To Do Is Dream
Early In The Morning

Album Description

2 on 1 includes Jean (1969) & Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970). Selections from this two-on-one collection include 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head', 'Leavin On A Jet Plane' and 'The Windmills Of Your Mind'. Collectables. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Ray Conniff does it again with this collection!!.......2007-05-24

Ray released these two albums in about 1969 and 1970 respectively. The quality and sound are first rate in these DVD's. Good solid harmony in a selection of some of the top songs of those years as arranged by Ray Conniff. I especially enjoyed the rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Waters in the typical Ray Conniff style. Wonderful sounds as always!!

Not bad, but far from his best.......2006-04-11

First, there are a couple strikes against my review up front. I never liked either album from the first time I heard them, decades ago. I have always believed that the "old sound" started a slide with these LPs. The combination of songs I never liked, and some obviously aging voices, was a bad sign. I have been a very dedicated Conniff fan since "'S Wonderful" came out, but it does not blur my objectivity at all. For what is here, the recording quality is fine, but not the music itself. It is really PAINFUL to submit a negative review of my favorite recording artist's work, believe me.

this is terrible.......2005-01-09

What could this be categorized as, disco-jazz?

Nice album cover tho.

Two Great Albums from a Great Bandleader.......2002-12-30

These two albums from 1969 and 1970 are two great gems from the Ray Conniff catalog. "Jean", was always one of my favorite Conniff albums. I have one gripe that I'm sure most of you who have this CD will agree with me on; the sound quality. "Love Me Tonight", "A Time for Us", and possibly "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In" sound horrible! If you listen well, you will notice that the sound sounds at its worst through the left speaker with the male chorus and the trumpets (most notably on "A Time for Us". It's a shame they could not fix this, more or less, notice it back in '69 when this was recorded. I am glad though that the best version of "Jean" (Ray's of course) has good sound quality along with "Love (Can Make You Happy), "The Windmills of Your Mind", "A Man Without Love", "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Spinning Wheel", "Shadows of the Night" and Conniff's own composition "The Power of Love".

"Bridge over Troubled Water" is a good album with some good moments on it in songs like "Someone", "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "Midnight Cowboy", and "Honey Come Back". There seems to be some more sound problems on a few of these songs on this album too. It seems as if there is some light popping noises on "Bridge over Troubled Water" and "Everybody's Talkin'", maybe it's my CD I don't know.

Some people have the nerve to say that a lot of Conniff's late '60s and '70s work sounds dated, I for one disagree. I like the easy listening arrangements on all of the Conniff albums I have heard. Anyone who thinks these recordings are dated, should try to enjoy them a lot more.

A few problems but overall ok.......2002-10-25

In the early days of stereo, Ray Conniff and his engineers at Columbia Records produced some great sounding records. Just listen to the albums 'S AWFUL NICE and SOMEWHERE MY LOVE and you'll find it hard to believe that those wonderful recordings were made in 1958 and 1966, respectively.

Unfortunately, JEAN was an exception. Several songs (perhaps just those from one recording session) sound very distorted. The Lp sounded bad and it appears the same tapes were used for the CD reissue.

Ray Conniff was such a perfectionist that it is surprising he would have allowed the Lp to be released. At a time when he was selling millions of albums each year, you'd think that he would have spent the money to re-record certain tracks for this album.

Even with the sound problems, there are a few gems to be found. Most notably "The Windmills Of Your Mind," Conniff's original composition "The Power Of Love" and his Grammy nominated recording of "Jean."

The sound on BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER is much better. Ray performed the vocal solo on "Honey Come Back" and the whistling on "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head."

I give JEAN a one star rating and BRIDGE about 2 1/2 for an overall rating of 2. Others may be slightly more generous and give it a 3. Anyone who feels this rates a 4 or 5 should listen to a few more Conniff albums. This compilation is not representative of Ray Conniff's best work.

Tracks:

Bridge Over Troubled Water
El Condor Passa (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

Amazon.com essential recording

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest Pop Masterpiece Ever.......2006-09-03

How exquisite are the two most celebrated songs from 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' Simon and Garfunkel's greatest album and worthy of a top ten list of pop/rock music. "The Boxer" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" deserve their reputation for their hair-raising excellence. The build up, the beautiful vocals, and the orchestration are magnificent. Less heralded is the album's versatality. The exotic rhythms of "El Condor Pasa" and "Cecilia" are expert. Then, there are the quieter gems, like "Farewell to Frank Lloyd Wright," the tender "The Only Living Boy in New York," and the closer "Song for the Asking". Simon and Garfunkel aren't simply substantial, they are playful masters. They ably incorporate jazz with "Keep the Customer Satisfied," complete with excellent lyrics that concicely evoke themes from 'Death of a Salesman'. They even have the irreverence to poke fun by wearily blurting out "Enough, already!" after their tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright. (Maybe it was all allegory and tongue-in-cheek anyway, but it works well in any case.) Not only are they playful with "Cecilia," but with the lively "Baby Driver" and "Why Don't You Write Me". They even have a super live version of "Bye Bye Love," as if they were lacking any confidence.

'Bridge Over Troubled Water' is easily a top ten pop/rock classic of all time. It isn't just filled with ethereal classics; it has all the components of a remarkably varied masterpiece.

5 stars implies absolute greatness. This album is not mind blowing, but..........2006-02-28

Ok for years, (yes it's true) i haven't really liked this album. For one thing i had only heard bits and pieces, and never fully sat down, put on the headphones and just put it on. So i did that. I found it to be really good, better than i had first thought, but! but! i found it sort of...overrated. It simply isn't s and g's best, no sir. The only living boy in New York is, simply put, absolutely beautiful. It flows, and is majestic. But a live version of bye bye love is not only out of place, but truly not a good song. I found that selection of song really dissapointing. Bridge over Troubled water is of course emotional, and one of their best songs, but unfourtunately alot of s and g's previous beauty i found to be gone, mostly lost. Ok so it won some grammy's, so what? U2 won some grammy's for the least creative, most overrated album of the year. Awards mean zip. The album is just peppered with too much staleness, but thanks to 5 or 6 good songs, manages to redeem itself. The songs that lack true grit are not awful, they are still ok, and listenable, but i don't think they are superb. Check out Bookends instead.

AGELESS GEM.......2003-05-19

More than three decades later this album still reveals its treasures with every listen. It's the absolute highlight of the folk-influenced or singer/songwriter genre that emerged in the 1960s. The greatness of the songs are proved by the many cover versions that they inspired: Bridge much be one of the most covered songs on earth - the versions by Aretha Franklik and Linda Clifford immediately come to mind. El Condor Pasa has exotic Andean flute and Cecilia is a naughty, uptempo song that became a dance hit again in the 1980s by some obscure disco singer. Songs like The Boxer and Bye Bye Love are sheer poetry, I mean lyrically and in their flowing melodies and the beautiful blend of the voices. This album remained in the album charts for many years after its original release and one listen will show you the reason why. Poetic, intelligent lyrics set to heavenly melodies characterise these outstanding songs to make the album a timeless classic.

A Grand Finale.......2003-05-07

First of all, I must admit that I've only recently become a Simon & Garfunkel's fan . I mean,my dad has had albums by this fantastic duo since I was very little, but I only stopped to listen to them carefully in the last three years or so. However, S&G have become, little by little, one of my trully favourite bands - and obviously my favourite duo.
OK, now let's move to "Bridge Over Troubled Water", then. I've bought it less than a week ago, but it was enough to discover that it's an amazing album. I've heard many people complaining about it not being very homogeneous, and I'm affraid they're right: it's not homogeneous at all. I wonder, though: does that really matter? Take the tittle track, for example: simply gorgeous, probably THE song about friendship, loyalty and self-sacrifice. It always gives me goose bumps, no matter how many times I listen to it. Take then "The Boxer" - it's just so moving. Take "Cecilia", certainly not a "calm" song like the other two I mentioned above, but still great. Actually, take the entire album and you'll see - listen, actually - how great it is. And you'll regret deeply that after this Simon and Garfunkel went separate ways. This was their Grand Finale and I couldn't imagine anything better to close their short, yet powerful, career.

Oh So Worthy.......2002-10-18

An enduring classic indeed. These songs are all gems. The title track stands out not only because of its poignant lyrics but mainly due to the beautiful arrangement and instrumentation. Art Garfunkel's crowning moment as a singer.

And oh what other great tunes. The Only Living Boy In New York is an underatted gem. Just love the tone between the vocals and the instrumental support. Cecilia, Baby Driver, Bye Bye Love, and meandering ballad The Boxer are all great songs to sing along to. Song For The Asking is pretty way to close this chock full of classics recording.

Tracks:

God Bless America - Kate Smith
America The Beautiful - Leontyne Price
America - Robert Shaw
Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Leontyne Price
Yankee Doodle - Boston Pops Orchestra
Yankee Doodle Dandy - Boston Pops Orchestra
Columbia, The Gem Of The Ocean - Robert Shaw
The Star Spangled Banner - Boston Pops Orchestra
Service Songs Medley: U.S. Marines' Hymn (The Halls Of Montezuma)/U.S. Navy (Anchors Aweigh)/U.S. Air Force (The Wild Blue Yonder)/U.S. Army (The Caissons Go Rolling Along) - Robert Shaw
The Stars And Stripes Forever - Keith Lockhart
National Emblem March - Boston Pops Orchestra
Variations On 'Simple Gifts' - Aaron Copland
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor - Leontyne Price
This Land Is Your Land - Harry Belafonte
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Perry Como
We Shall Overcome - Ornette Coleman
Amazing Grace - Leontyne Price
God Bless America - Kate Smith

Prelude: The Best Of Charlotte Church [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD]

Average customer rating:

Classic Grace
Great CD and DVD!
too pretty too bad
This CD is SO good! A must for Charlotte Church fans!
AWESOME!!

Prelude: The Best Of Charlotte Church [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD]
Charlotte Church
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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Enchantment
Charlotte Church - Enchantment (From Cardiff, Wales)
Tissues and Issues
Charlotte Church
Dream a Dream

ASIN: B00007E8OU
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

Pie Jesu from Requiem
My Lagan Love
In Trutina (from Carmina Burana)
Panis Angelicus
Amazing Grace
Just Wave Hello
La Pastorella (The Little Shepherdess)
She Moved Through The Fair
Ave Maria
Dream A Dream (w/ Billy Gilman)
The Flower Duet
Haba
The Prayer (w/ Josh Groban)
All Love Can Be
It's The Heart That Matters Most
Tantum Ergo
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Sancta Maria

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Classic Grace.......2003-01-30

Bravo! This CD, is such a great compilation of all Charl's albums. It's sort of sad though that this was a Prelude, to a different type of music.
However I think Charlotte is just so talented and she is getting better in every album I hear her. Bravo!

Great CD and DVD!.......2003-01-08

This is my first Charlotte cd and dvd. I wasn't really into this type of music but I work at a retail store and when I saw her cd fly of the shelf, I wanted to know what the fuss is all about so I bought this cd...and I'm glad I did. I also liked the dvd included. I was awed.

too pretty too bad.......2002-12-27

This album is appropriately dubbed as greatest hits. Appropriately because, judging by how much the voice has deteriorated over the last 4 years, it's unlikely that we'll see more of Charlotte Church's albums. What's needed now is a skilled vocal coach who might (!) be able to restore Church's originally pretty soubrette soprano back to the way it sounded when "A voice of an angel" was recorded. Big labels, shame on you. A talent needs to be nurtured and brought up SLOWLY, so that it could first develop into something. By shamelessly exploiting Charlotte's adorable looks and youth, Sony executives have ruined a promising career before she could even develop into a real opera singer.
Charlotte, if you're reading this, STOP singing now and look for a good teacher. Or just be content as one of richest children in the world.

This CD is SO good! A must for Charlotte Church fans!.......2002-12-20

This CD is filled with her best songs from all of her albums, including new ones. My favorite new ones are "It's The Heart That Matters Most" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." They are all really good! It is the best! Go Charlotte!

AWESOME!!.......2002-12-06

I can't get enough of this CD and DVD! It absolutely ROCKS!! This gal is so talented. A must-have selection!

Average customer rating:

Great classic!
Tenors on Tour - Versatile and Beautiful

Tenors on Tour

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Tenors Anyone?: Great Tenors Sing Pop Favorites
Romantic Tenors
Tenors Valentine
The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994
The Three Tenors Christmas

ASIN: B0000029VG
Release Date: 1997-03-04

Tracks:

Blue Moon - Moon River
Besame Mucho
Climb Ev'ry Mountain
Love is a Many Splendored-Thing
Maria
Yesterday
Autunm Leaves
Over the Rainbow
Giants In the Sky
Sometimes A Day Goes By
Time After Time
Some Enchanted Evening
This Nearly Was Mine
Ave Maria
Wiegenlied (Lullaby)
The Long and Winding Road
Bridge Over Troubled Water
O Sole Mio
Torna a Surriento
Mamma
Lolita
Chitarra Romana
Nessun Dorma

Customer Reviews:

Great classic!.......2003-03-25

This is a great compilation with the best tenors ever!Try this CD!

Tenors on Tour - Versatile and Beautiful.......2001-06-20

Tenors on Tour is a CD which will live forever. The opening songs by Placido Domingo, His arrangement of Blue Moon and Moon River, set the tone for the CD. To hear Richard Tucker do "Climb every Mountain" was a wonderful trip down memory lane. Who will ever forget him? Placido continues with Broadway..Maria from West Side Story and a Beatles song "Yesterday". Mandy Patinkin's "Over the Rainbow" is classic and wonderful! But in my opinion Jose Carreras has the most "goose bumping" production on the entire CD. His Ave (Maria) is so beautifully done it may just bring tears to your eyes. The "King" Pavarotti is the "clean-up Hitter with selections from LaBoheme,and he does "O Sole Mio" as only He can do it. This CD is a treat for anyone who enjoys fine music. You will play it over and over again.

Average customer rating:

#1
Paul Desmond "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Bridge Over Troubled Water
Paul Desmond
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Summertime
First Place Again
Desmond Blue
Glad to Be Unhappy
Angel Eyes

ASIN: B00005631X
Release Date: 2004-01-05

Tracks:

Condor Pasa
So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright
59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)
Mrs. Robinson
Old Friends
America
For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her
Scarborough Fair/Canticle
Cecilia
Bridge over Troubled Water

Album Description

Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' was the hottest album in the land in 1970, & Paul Simon's tunes from that & their earlier albums unexpectedly find a congenial advocate in Paul Desmond. Against the odds as determined by bopsters, Desmond finds something beautiful, wistful, and/or sly to say in each of these ten tunes, backed by Herbie Hancock's Rhodes electric piano & a set of ravishing orchestrations by Don Sebesky. Hancock's solos often reflect where he was personally at in 1970, with ideas transferred from his progressive electric Sextet. This is a Creed Taylor production in all but name; the sound, track editing, & production values are right in line with the A&M CTI line, but Sebesky is listed as producer, Taylor having recently severed his ties with A&M to form his own label. Polydor/Japan.

Album Details

Japanese Reissue of the Jazz Sax Giant's Tribute to the Songs of Simon and Garfunkel. Desmond was an Unexpected Advocate of Paul Simon's Music and Recorded These Tunes, Lending a Unique Jazz Perspective of What was Regarded as Pop Music of the Time. Though Production is Credited to Don Sebesky, the Sound Heard Here Has the Fingerprints of Trademark Creed Taylor Productions all Over It.

Customer Reviews:

#1.......2003-06-19

This Creed Taylor/Desmond gem is about as good as he did, and I am among those audiophiles that have been burned far too many times by my "favorite" artists trying to interpret current "pop" music in a genre which frankly should generally stick to what it knows best. But when you hear the title tune, you are convinced that Don Sebesky knew where this was going from the very inseption. This is one "customs overpriced" cd you will thank God for. Lush, so well arranged that I wore the vinyl record out twice. "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" is a song most jazz artists would not touch, yet this one is so lush, it will blow your mind.."how did they do that?" Incidently, if you are a drummer, you'll flip over the emphasized sound here! Finally, for once a collection of music that probably could pass muster for more styles than any disc you'll ever own. It is jazz, easy listening, pop, and so close to new age it is hard to believe this was recorded so long ago. Desmond was infamous for blowing so soft it seemed like he used a whisper to play and you'll never hear him softer, over-all, than here!

Paul Desmond "Bridge Over Troubled Water".......2002-05-09

This album is a vibrant and sensual arrangement of Paul Simon's finest music of the Sixties. The lush arrangements of Don Sebesky allow Paul Desmond to carry these melodies with ease without distracting the listener. Desmond successfully evokes and conveys the romantic and often times haunting "cinematic" qualities of Paul Simon's lyrics. Desmond's rendition of each melody is so lyrical, you could swear the words were being sung. What is so magical is that Paul Desmond can seamlessly connect his solos to the melodies without losing the essence of each piece. (America is a vibrant example of this.) No doubt this is a signature trait of Paul Desmond's sound.The listener will not get lost in some esoteric free form solo and then suddenly brought back to some truncated melody. Desmond takes you through a gorgeous journey of melodic exploration before recapping gently bringing back the listener to the theme. Those who are familiar with Desmond's work in the quartet setting may not appreciate Don Sebesky's instrumental backdrop. Unlike some of the vapid "sleazy listening" renditions of Beatles tunes bleeding through the elevator speakers, Don Sebesky gives girth to each piece with well thought out textures that will not leave you limp. It would simple to dismiss this overlooked jem as an "easy listening" Album. Hardly so, Desmond's rich thematic explorations in Paul Simons music is a veiled complexity that will give any listener, student of jazz , professional musician or any composer many hours of listening pleasure. The players on this session read as a "who's who of jazz." : Herbie Hancock, Airto, Ron Carter, just to name a few.

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