Jacob Collier, Bridge Over Troubled Water | COVERS

In the 10^th edition of COVERS (2024), Jacob Collier delivers a compelling rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” originally performed by Simon & Garfunkel.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 10^th edition of COVERS (2024), Jacob Collier delivers a compelling rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, originally performed by Simon & Garfunkel.

Per Secondhand Songs, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” has been covered hundreds of times. Let that sink in.  Penned by the legendary Paul Simon, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was a six-week, no. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit for Simon & Garfunkel that won multiple Grammys including Record and Song of the Year.  Being covered so much by so many artists, including legends like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, as well as talents like Josh Groban, making this classic ‘brand-new’ or unique is a tall task.  For the gifted,  Grammy-winning musical genius, Jacob Collier, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” gets an epic makeover on his 2024 album, Djesse Vol. 4.  Collier enlists fellow Grammy winners John Legend (also, an Academy Award winner) and Tori Kelly for the assist.  The results are stunning.

A cappella – that’s the name of the game on “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Also, there is another vocalist in the mix who appears first: Yebba (Abbey Smith). Where Legend and Kelly contribute new vocals, Yebba’s are sampled.  Her sampled vocals are warm, soulful, and gospel infused. The runs are spot-on. The surrounding vocals (layered vocals courtesy of Collier) – the vocal arrangement – is stunning.  The modulating harmonies are gorgeous.  John Legend takes over the lead at about the one-and-a-half minute mark accompanied by those haunting choral vocals. Legend’s baritone begins poised – calm, cool, and collected – before he shows of his grit, as well as his falsetto. Post-Legend, I love the clever, jazzy music cues by the Collier. Tori Kelly enters the mix at the three-and-a-half minute mark with the second verse. Her vocals begin poised, similarly to Legend’s. She takes some liberties with the melody, which is ear-catching. Notably, the key modulates within her verse – incredibly cool. Kelly ascends, growing dynamic and allowing her gospel-infused pipes to shine in all their glory. The meandering nature of this cover of  “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is part of the charm. The ending is grand with the jazzy wall of choral Collier vocals, coupled with Kelly’s expressive lead. There have been many covers of this Paul Simon classic, but none sound quite like this one via Jacob Collier.

Jacob Collier // Djesse Vol. 4 // Hajanga / Interscope / Decca // 2024

Jacob Collier, Bridge Over Troubled Water: Covers No. 10 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Hajanga / Interscope / Decca; Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Matteo Milan from Pexels; MR1313, OpenClipart-Vectors, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]