This video was filmed at the Glastonbury festival where the famous Art Garfunkel was closing the end of his show out with a fabulous acoustic version of “Bridge Over Trouble Water.” The 45 year old classic has been done in over 100 different versions, though Garfunkel’s is the premier one.
Some notable things about this version are the acoustic guitar. Tab Laven’s genuinely inventive acoustic picking really lets Art’s voice shine so that nothing is forced or pushed. It reminds us of the days when Simon and Garfunkel toured together with one or two voices and the guitar accompaniment.
Another great feature is that of the new piano player, Dave McKay. How he enters in the middle of the second verse on a G chord after the lyric “I’ll take your part,” adds a high, folky texture to the mix which shines in brilliant beauty.
Art’s voice shines in a way it hasn’t before. It’s full of soul like never before. He does the first half of the song and then culminates a remake of the last verse of the song, “Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.” Remarkably this subtle invention uses notes that are a sixth below the original climax of the song. Of course, you have the audience singing a long in full support. The night is blissful and right.
