By Jim Fusco:
Welcome, welcome to yet another edition of the Laptop Sessions here with me, Jim Fusco!
Oh, yeah, keeping the dream alive tonight with yet ANOTHER “new” band to the Laptop Sessions. This one is probably the biggest shame left that we haven’t covered because…they’re ACOUSTIC! Simon and Garfunkel stand as one of the most influential and popular acts of all time. I was just talking to my father about them the other day. He pointed out that they’re the best of friends, but just can’t seem to work together. That’s the way it’s always been with my brother Mike and I. We get along so well…as long as we’re not working on anything together. I ‘m always so steadfast in realizing this fact, but Mike tends to either forget or just disregard it. Thus, we end up working together again and the whole cycle begins.
Anyway, even though Paul Simon went on to some more, let’s say, interesting works in his later career (still waiting for his big rock comeback album), he did some pop classics with Art Garfunkel, also known as the luckiest man in the music business. I mean, the man not only didn’t write any of S&G’s songs, he didn’t even play the guitar in the band!
I heard this song again while listening the WCJM Free Internet Radio show, “The All-American Show”. I realized how great this tune really is. And, especially because we’re on the brink of the most important presidential election in many years, this song is all the more important to play now. “America” takes us on a journey of a couple going on a cross-country trip to “find” the real America. I think the man realizes that everyone is out on their own trips, finding America…even on the bleak New Jersey Turnpike.
I think this video stands as one of my favorites now because it just works so well with one person and a guitar. The tune is great. The guitar part is cool (I love that walking down C chord), too. I hope you’ll enjoy it and come back for more.