The Boxer

Tom and Jerry, more famously known by their real names Simon and Garfunkel were perhaps the most popular folk/rock group of the 60s. Tom and Jerry formed in 1957 but it was Simon and Garfunkel that achieved success in 1965 with the single Sounds of Silence. An acoustic version appeared on their debut album Wednesday Morning 3A.M. But the title track of their next album Sounds of Silence, added electric guitars and drums. In 1967, their music formed the soundtrack to the film The Graduate further rocketing the duo to fame. I remember my Grade 11 English class studying Simon and Garfunkel lyrics. Listening to those songs in the classroom wasn't like school work at all.

In 1970 they issued Bridge Over Troubled Water, their sixth and last LP. It won them Grammies for best song and best album in 1971. In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked them #40 in the 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time. Simon and Garfunkel have each enjoyed successful solo careers, Simon perhaps more so. And, for lucky fans, they've reunited for several special performances and recordings.

One of my favourite cuts off Bridge Over Troubled Water has to be The Boxer. In a bit of a change-up today, I'm sharing a cover-version performance of our highlighted song. Alison Krauss and Shawn Colvin are a couple of angel-like songbirds who really do this tune justice. And we don't often highlight women here, so I'm righting a past wrong. The performance also features dobro player extraordinaire Jerry Douglas. It all takes place in 2007 when Simon was awarded the first-ever Gershwin Prize For Popular Song.