The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel cover) - Mike Masse and Sterling Cottam

Mike’s 80-song collection, “Covers (Mostly Live)”:
30-song collection, “Covers, Vol. 2”:

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This bit of fingerpicking was recorded on March 22, 2014, in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have since moved to Denver, Colorado, but Sterling comes to visit and record often. Check out our covers of "Twilight Zone", "Nights in White Satin", and some nice Everly Brothers tunes, e.g.

[dunzelfer]

This is one of the best covers I've ever heard... of any song

[ricktan]

I have probably listened to this song performed by these two great singers/guitar players, about 40 times in the past couple of weeks. I don’t think I will ever get bored. Such wonderful harmony and tone. Just love it!

[mellodolly]

My dad (RIP) turned me on to this song b4 I was even a teen back in the '60's.  He passed in the early 1990's from a major brain annurism,   sending me home wailing after he struggled for over a month to survive.!!  I cry every time I hear this song, not because I am sad,   but because I have dedicated this song to my father's memory.  Praise God.!!! <3

[oscarrios]

I’ve listened to this song a thousand times!! it’s probably one of the best covers I’ve ever heard. Brings me to tears. Such a beautiful recreation of a great song.

[geurtsmetjes]

This is not a cover, this is The Boxer in its ultimate form

[skeeterman]

I play in a duet with a friend of mine. The song performed by these two is impeccable. But the most amazing thing is how Mike and Sterling are so connected throughout. I’ve experienced this connection a few times during a performance. When it goes off perfectly. Sterling gaze over at mike at the end says it all.

[t.k.bertram]

I have been listening to this song for 40 years now.

40 years of the original and every truly godawful cover at every folk festival and coffee shop as I hit the back roads.

Four decades dreading the opening bars of this piece of music.

So when I say that this is the best version of this song I have ever heard. I don't mean "This is the best cover I have heard." I mean that "I think that when Simon and Garfunkel did their reunion concert in Central Park it should have sounded more like this."

[extremelyuninspired]

Wow! This is unbelievable. Easily the strongest cover of Boxer I've heard. There's something so deeply satisfying about hearing a duo nail the harmonies in this song so remarkably well. It's becoming increasingly rare to come across S&G covers at open mics, but whenever I hear this song, I'm always singing along with the harmony part...You guys gave me chills from a song that I've heard probably about 2500 times. Mad respect!

[robertgough]

Mike Masse is one of the most under-rated singers in the underground scene of music

[RRW]

Are you kidding me? This IS the best cover of The Boxer I've heard and I feel like I've heard them all. Incredible, absolutely incredible harmonies and technique. Really can't say enough.

[balarkahajra]

I don't know what to say or comment on. Speechless!!! Paul and Art would be proud.

[marrianner.]

Absolutely the best cover version of The Boxer, I have heard!! The harmony is like one singing.

[christophergargaro]

The whole thing is brilliant but from 3:25 on is as good as it gets for covers. Perfect harmony for IMO the best part of the song.

[JerryNixon]

I was mesmerized listening to this. The original is such a wonderful song: "I am leaving. I am leaving. But the fighter still remains." It's an anthem to every struggling champion, every man who grows old. But I have to tell you. As many times as I have listened to Simon & Garfunkel's album and live versions, your cover makes it honestly difficult to tolerate that original. Yours is perfect. So smooth. So harmonic. And the passion of the lyrics is as plain and as clear as that first time I heard it as a kid. Is it better than the original? Nothing beats the first time. But if I listen to this song again, I'll be seeking this version of it. Thank you for sharing it. 

[Morten_Nielsen]

This song takes two. One man can not do it full justice. Beautiful version. Great job guys!

[anonInDE]

Mike Masse is easily the best coverist on Youtube.

[lathergoodsoapcouk]

Beautiful, just beautiful. Perfect and then some more. Thankyou for allowing me to stumble on to this. My faith has been restored in being able to find real music on the tube x.

[Dumbledork_Prime]

I revere Simon & Garfunkel who are probably the best duo in history who produced a quantity of timeless classics. The boxer is one of my favourites and your version equals at least the original.

I can't put in words how much I appreciate your version. It almost moved me to tears the first time I heard it.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[bol.]

Sterling's Harmony here is chilling! Masse can sing anything also he has the perfect vocal range.

[danielbaladad]

Their voices are so complimentary. Impossible to distinguish much of a difference in their two beautiful voices.