Performing live at the Greek Theatre in LA, internet sensation Jacob Collier was blowing yet another audience away with his stunning harmonies. Recognized globally for his breathtaking reimaginings of popular songs, it is always a treat for fans to hear his interpretations of the classics. Before I heard Jacob’s performance at the Greek Theatre, I thought Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ could not be improved upon. I may now have to rethink my position.
Collier opened with an atmospheric rendition of the folk classic, using synthesizers and vocal effects to bring a fresh, ethereal twist to the song. Then, the night took an unforgettable turn. John Legend stepped onstage, followed by Tori Kelly, each lending their powerhouse vocals to the performance. Music Man fans will be amazed by the 10-minute-long piece that followed, as were fans online. One fan commented, “This was a SPIRITUAL experience.” on the video which now has over 1.6M views.
By approaching the song in an entirely new way, using electronic instruments and combining Jacob’s knowledge of harmony with John and Tori’s soulful vocals, the trio was able to transform the simplicity of the original song into something that was in a world of its very own. Viewers were particularly blown away by Tori’s acrobatic vocal runs, showcasing her profound technical abilities. Luckily, for those who wanted to see more, Tori and Jacob weren’t finished with their work on the song.
Over six months after their performance together at the Greek Theatre, Jacob released a video on his YouTube channel of himself and Tori working on the arrangement of the song together. This then led to a professionally recorded version of Tori’s verse being released. It once again featured her impressive vocals, this time backed by a choir made up of duplicates of Jacob’s voice providing harmonies. Combining creativity and musical talent, these two are clearly a musical match made in heaven.
It is without doubt that our Music Man readers are sure to have their favorites when it comes to covers of their favorite songs. However, the work done by Jacob Collier, Tori Kelly, and John Legend stands apart as a total reimagining of an iconic piece of music, while still capturing the magic of the original composition. Whether it stands up to the original is up for debate, but no one can deny that in applying their individual talents to the song, these artists have created something that is uniquely special.