This vocal-centric performance turns the moody and pensive original into a heavenly song.
Gregorian – “The Sound of Silence”
“The Sound of Silence” (2013 – original from 1964)
This otherworldly interpretation of the classic Simon & Garfunkel tune takes the song into a whole new dimension. While the group Gregorian originally covered this song on their 1999 album “Masters of Chant,” this live rendition is from their 2013 tour.
The 1964 original is a moody and pensive song, well-suited to a vocal-centric performance such as this one. One YouTube commenter stated that “The singing and harmonizing [are] excellent.” And as another characterized it so succinctly, the rhythmic chanting is “Heavenly.”
Gregorian
Led by the producer Frank Peterson, the German band Gregorian performs rock and pop songs in the style of Gregorian chants. Although there is some musical backing, the focus of most of Gregorian’s music is on the vocals.
While the music is recorded in a studio, the vocals are recorded subsequently and separately, in a church setting “with dimmed lights and candles.” That is done in order to create a warmer atmosphere than that of a studio. (Image source)
Note – Some listeners have noted that the tempo of this version is a bit fast. If you think so too, you can click on “Settings” and change the “Playback Speed” to 0.75.
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a streetlamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools," said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds of silence." (Image source)
Simon and Garfunkel – Sound of Silence
(Right-click to hear on YouTube)
Lyrics by Paul Simon, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia
Into your ears … through 5 channels
The various posts are categorized into 5 channels (Right-Click to see details)
1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
2 – “Cover Versions”
3 – “Honor Roll”
4 – “Documentaries”
5 – “Mock’n’Roll”
Links to my other series ...
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"
Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”
Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"
Vocab-Ability – "Index" to all Chapters and Sections
Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"
Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"
