May252008
“The Sound of Silence” - Vanilla Mood
Looking for a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s most famous song, performed by an expressionless, all-girl Japanese quartet with all the panache of Abe Lincoln in the Hall of Presidents? Look no further than Vanilla Mood.
May242008
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
“Mrs. Robinson” - Booker T.& the MGs
In 1967, “The Graduate” helped popularize Simon & Garfunkel by bringing their music to the big screen. In 1969, Booker T. & the MGs — the group that defined the sound of Stax — recorded this groovy cover.
April32008
“America” - David Bowie
America. David Bowie. Suzuki Omnichord.
From the October 2001 Concert for America.
March262008
“Cecilia” - Suggs
Two things distinguish this 1996 cover of “Cecilia” by British ska star Suggs: a fascinating proto-reggaetón backbeat and a headache inducing op-arty video.
March232008
“Hazy Shade of Winter” - The Bangles
This version of “Hazy Shade of Winter,” recorded by The Bangles for the off-key 1987 film adaptation of “Less Than Zero,” Bret Easton Ellis’ first novel, was more popular than the Simon & Garfunkel original, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard charts. A little Robert Downey, Jr. goes a long way.March222008
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” - Elvis Presley
It’s said that Paul Simon lamented the fact that Vegas-era Elvis “seemed to end everything with a karate chop and an explosion,” and Elvis’ 1970 cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is no exception to that principle, with a grand finale featuring a gospel choir and horn section layered atop of the King’s crooning. But Simon also said it was “just a pleasure for me that Elvis Presley recorded one of my songs before he died” - and Presley’s over-the-top take on Simon & Garfunkel’s humble hymn is certainly an enjoyable one.
March212008
“Richard Cory” - Wings
“Richard Cory,” one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most criminally underrated songs, is a retelling of a short poem written by Gilded-Age American poet Edwin Arlington Robinson. Here’s a live cover performed by Wings (featuring that other Paul) in 1975.