Graceland [ECD] - Paul Simon

Advantages: The Western world's introduction to African music on a commerical scale
Disadvantages: Probably not generally recieved at the time for what it was really worth..

...had been given our own Graceland within this album… Like Little Red Hiding Hood, collecting a bunch of wild flowers for her grandmother, Simon gathered in his arms all the music genres he had been touched by through his life to that point. He affectionately collected rock and roll, do wop, reggae, salsa , jazz and gospel blues, put them in a large black hat and tossed them across the studio floor. Each track on this album is a unique piece of art ...
...each lyric and careful arranging of each song. His diversity and courage through making such an album was never really, sadly realised by the people who listened to it. However I shall endeavour to do it justice for now… With its strong accordion introduction, our opening track is 'The Boy In The Bubble,' In this track we hear an arrangement concocted together by Paul Simon and a group from Lesotho called Tao Ea Matsekha. This style is called 'Sotho ... Read review

Advantages: 11 tracks of splendour
Disadvantages: None

Originally released in 1986, "Graceland" was created after Paul Simon heard the album "Gum Boots: Accordion Jive Hits - Volume II". This album was full of extremely happy up tempo music which Simon immediately fell in love with. It turned out that the music came from Soweto, South Africa. So guess where Simon went? As many of you will be aware, the groupl "Ladysmith Black Mumbazo" featured in this album, and have later gone on to the acclaimed fame ...
...not know is that they were not the only South African group to feature on the album. In fact, three other groups appeared, these being: the Boyoyo Boys Band (used on the "Gum Boots" album), Tao Ea Matsekha, and General M.D. Shirinda and the Gaza Sisters. The music on the album is second to none, and there is not a single track that lets the album down as a whole. The album consists of these tracks: 1: The Boy in the Bubble 2: Graceland 3: I know ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant musicianship,superb evocative tracks
Disadvantages: On e or two weak tracks

...first released in 1986 the Graceland album was very controversial. Paul Simon had eschewed the trend of boycotting South Africa for his own policy of positive engagement with the country and its musicians. This was a time when Nelson Mandela was still a prisoner on Roben Island and trade sanctions existed banning products being supplied to or bought from South Africa. Fortunately common sense won through and Simon had a huge world-wide hit with ...
...first commercially successful fusion of western pop music with traditional ‘world’ music. The market trend for music from obscure countries began here and influenced many artists from Bowie to Adam Ant who used Burundi rhythms on many of his early records. The album brought to greater prominence Ladysmith Black Mambozo who were attracting attention as an a capella group singning traditional African songs. Hugely successful in South Africa, ... Read review

Advantages: One of the most poetic albums in my collection
Disadvantages: Strangely, it's expensive to buy

...in the Bubble 2. Graceland 3. I Know What I Know 4. Gumboots 5. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes 6. You Can Call Me Al 7. Under African Skies 8. Homeless 9. Crazy Love, Volume II 10. That Was Your Mother 11. All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints Lyrics: I have to begin here. Paul Simon may have been more profound at times, but never was he more poetic than on 'Graceland'. The first verse of the first track runs, "It was a slow day/And ...
...the road/There was a bright light/A shattering of shop windows/The bomb in the baby carriage/Was wired to the radio". Bittersweet stuff! Simon's words take many tones: Surreal commentary ("Medicine is magical and magical is art/The Boy in the Bubble/And the baby with the baboon heart" - Boy In The Bubble), simple poetry ("She's a rich girl/She don't try to hide it/Diamonds on the soles of her shoes/He's a poor boy/Empty as a pocket/Empty as a pocket ... Read review

Advantages: Beautifully composed. Wonderful lyrics. Excellent cultural theme.
Disadvantages: None. Its fantastic.

Graceland represents not only Paul Simon's surprise 1986 comeback. the 43 minute long 'Graceland", his sojourn into the realm of South African music is something few western artists have ever even attempted. Upon flying to Johannesburg to commence recording the now-legendary album, Simon met up with three groups of popular African artists. Teo Ea Matsekha, General M.D Shirenda and the Gaza Sisters. What resulted was a succinct mix of African and ...
...excellent country & western edge, Graceland tells a story in its brilliantly written verses, of his journey to Graceland with his son. The third song is perhaps the first majorly African influenced song on the CD. Its called "I know what I know" . It possesses some lively backing from the Gaza Sisters. In this, Simon describes an odd conversion with a lady he meets in a bar. As with the first two songs the lyrics flow beautifully, this being the ... Read review