Oh, I am just overwhelmed. Let me catch my breath! I have just watched as Paul Simon has been awarded the inaugural Library of Congress Gershwin Award for Popular Song. Tonight our local public television station aired the two-hour tribute to his music from Washington, D.C. It was unbelievable. I have been obsessed with Simon & Garfunkel since the age of 12. I know every word to every song. I learned to sing really good harmony by listening to them.
Many prominent artists sang Simon’s songs, with varying degrees of success. James Taylor did a beautiful job with Still Crazy After All These Years, while Marc Anthony absolutely butchered El Condor Pasa and Late in the Evening. And Stevie Wonder forgot the words, for goodness sake, to Loves Me Like a Rock! The verse that begins, “If I was the President …” They had to start the whole song over. I’ve never liked Stevie Wonder. Who forgets the words to a Paul Simon song?
But … about 15 minutes before the show ended, Paul Simon introduced his long-time singing (and arguing) partner … Art. Voice of an angel. And they sang Bridge Over Troubled Water. My favorite song of all time, by anyone, ever. And they sang it together tonight. In case you didn’t see it or are just wondering, yes, they do still have the chops.
And, yes, I did cry. Just a little.
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