When Josh Groban and Brian McKnight sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, two different musical worlds collided—and the power of hearing these two legendary voices together in harmony was stunning!
Josh Groban and Brian McKnight performed Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” during Hitman: David Foster & Friends, David Foster’s Las Vegas show. The appearance united singers associated in the source with classical music and R&B, respectively. Their individual strengths shaped the rendition: Groban brought a full baritone, while McKnight supplied a smooth voice capable of reaching a notably high register. The contrast became especially effective as both singers climbed through their ranges and joined in harmony, making their combined sound the central attraction of the duet.
Groban also played piano for the performance, giving the arrangement a stately foundation. A full band and orchestra accompanied him and McKnight, surrounding their voices with a rich, large-scale instrumental setting. That approach differed from the source’s description of Simon & Garfunkel’s original as delicate and contemplative. Instead of following the earlier recording’s restrained character, the Las Vegas performance used the expanded ensemble and Groban’s piano work to give the 1970 song a more imposing, majestic treatment.
The vocal pairing reached one of its most notable points at 4:08, when Groban and McKnight came together in harmony. Groban’s weightier baritone and McKnight’s higher, smoother delivery created the combination highlighted by the source. Their rendition was built not only on the differences between their voices but also on how those voices sounded when aligned at the upper reaches of their respective ranges. With the piano, band, and orchestra supporting them, the two singers recast the familiar number around the meeting of their contrasting musical backgrounds.
Before Groban and McKnight interpreted it at Foster’s show, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” had been a regular high point in Simon & Garfunkel’s concerts. In the duo’s performance, Art Garfunkel carried the lead vocal over the song’s piano accompaniment, bringing a gentle emotional quality to the part. Paul Simon joined Garfunkel vocally from about 3:20, and the addition of his voice produced the warm, comfortable blend singled out in the source. That arrangement offered a more intimate point of comparison with the larger orchestral presentation mounted in Las Vegas.
Watch the full performance on page two
