Glad to see and hear such a tribute to this immortal '70s song. But I'll stick with the shatteringly powerful and beautiful original (being an old New York City boy myself who also left long ago). Don't fail to go back to that one.
at the Hollywood Bowl on memorial day. He performed "The Boxer" solo. It was much different, even aside from taking away the denser mix and Art Garfunkel.
That last verse ...
In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
'Til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains.
... had a different resonance, coming from an old man, which he is now, and a survivor, which he most certainly is.
IIRC he explained that those lyrics came from critics' attacks on him at the time, which had him thinking about giving up his music career.
Meh. Not enough substance or heart in it. A straightforward cover that seemed as much as a vehicle for the violin as anything. I find covers where the artists don’t really understand the original motivation for the song, rather empty and hollow.
I disagree a bit. I feel the voices blended extremely well. What I did not sense was a strong connection with the two singers performing the song together. That said thought the singing blended exceptionally well together. Just my humble opinion.
I wanted to listen but the background static was too much for me Â
Mumford and Son does a good version of the Boxer as well.
I Will - ( New Window )
That last verse ...
In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
'Til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains.
... had a different resonance, coming from an old man, which he is now, and a survivor, which he most certainly is.
IIRC he explained that those lyrics came from critics' attacks on him at the time, which had him thinking about giving up his music career.