The 60’s was a time of much unrest, at least for me in my late teens/early 20’s. There were not only parts of the country that still displayed damage from WWII bombing, but there was also an imminent threat of a nuclear war as the USA and the USSR were poised over their respective missile firing buttons. There was also a growing awareness of inequality and poverty. This all culminated in a proliferation of songs generally categorized as “Protest” or “Social Conscience” songs.
Paul Simon was very good at protest and social conscience songs and around 1963/64, he wrote and recorded “Bleecker Street” I loved it as soon as I heard it, and still love it!
This is the more popular version with Art Garfunkel harmonies
“I saw a shadow touch a shadow’s hand” – a wonderful line. Enjoy
I seem to recall that in North-West London there was a real push to have the worst of the bomb-sites ‘tidied’ up by the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. Certainly before then I can well recall playing in the bomb-sites in and around our home at Preston Road, Wembley.
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Yes, it was much the same in Coventry, Birmingham and the Midlands in general. I can recall a number of large unexploded bombs being discovered in London in the late 50’s/early 60’s
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I love the sound of Simon and Garfunkel. This one is new to me but the typical sound. Wonderful song.
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I love close harmonies, and they do it so well! 🙂
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That’s actually right! That may be the secret! A harmonious co-operation!
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🙂
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Afterthought: “Harmonious cooperation”! What a lovely dream for the world! 🙂
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Wow, indeed!! A great view on the bigger picture. If we are open we can see that in so many small things. Thank you for that input, Colin!
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🙂
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Ah, the 60s. Oh, I was there…fully immersed, long hair, peace, love and don’t trust anyone over 30. It’s just that…as they say, if you actually can remember the 60s you weren’t really there for the 60s. Groovy but “Dock of the Bay” was, to me, the most memorable of the 60s songs for a lot of reasons.
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They certainly were very different “times” back then! 🙂
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This one was a revelation, even though I consider myself a fan of their music! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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You’re very welcome Prajakta. 🙂
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Blimey, Collin. Have to admit I haven’t been so aware of this one. And it’s so darn good. It slipped through the net. That’s wonderful … a discovery. 😊🎶🎸
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Glad you liked it Chris. 🙂
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They say that every day you should learn something new. On Saturdays I know I usually will. 🙂 This is a great song! Brad liked it a lot too. We enjoy Simon&Garfunkel’s music, but neither of us recalled hearing this song before.
They are 2 artists that have earned the right to be called “musicians”, right! 🙂
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They are both very good, but there have been many discussions regarding the merits of Paul Simon’s recordings before he joined with Art Garfunkel. The “Sound of Silence” is usually the song referred to, and I do prefer Paul Simon’s original version before some enterprising producer totally commercialized it. “Paul Simon’s Songbook” is a wonderful collection of pre-Garfunkel recordings.
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Oh I do really like “The Sound of Silence”. I don’t think I ever heard the original version. Thanks for the link, will have to check it out.
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🙂
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Thanks for the music this morning.
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My pleasure Carol. 🙂
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