Graceland [ECD] - Paul Simon > Reviews > Graceland - The African concept

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	An impulsive album with out of this world music
Disadvantages:	none  -  honistly !  !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Its 1985, The 1983 release of “Hearts And Bones” was a relative flop, problems with his personal life meant hard times for one of the best lyricists in the world. Paul Simon and his Engineer Ray Halee set out on a journey to South Africa to re –find his self-belief, confidence and bring back to us something exciting and new.
Due to the relative flop of the previous album Paul Simon had time to think and produce something spectacular without the hassle off the press of the record company on his back.
Over two years working with the likes of the lady smith Black manbazo and Ray phiri, Paul Simon made one of the best albums ever produced. Bringing American pop/rock and mixing it with African rhythms and sounds this album is one of the best selling of all time. – At the same time bringing Paul Simon back to the main stream where he belongs.
In 1987 Paul Simon returned to Africa to perform at a free Graceland concert which today in my mid is one of the best concerts ive ever seen.
(Back to the album)

Track listening – all tracks get five stars

1: The Boy in the Bubble
- Brilliantly written song with a excellent Accordion start – Fave lyric – “ These are the days of miracle and wonder” – This song typifies African music.

2: Graceland
Well love classic song, to my mind and Also Paul Simon him self – the best song he has ever wrote , Fave lyric – “The Mississippi delta was shining like a national guitar”

3: I know what I know
Faster tempo song with a good beat Fave lyric “ She moves so easily all I could think was sunlight”

4: Gumboots
This track was released as a single a year prior to the albums release, another higher tempo song to the rest, a brilliant song to sing along too.

5: Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Another one of my favourites, the use of lady smith Black manbazos vocal talents makes you feel like you are Africa, fav lyric , She makes a sign of a teaspoon, he makes a sign of a wave” This track was originally not going to be on the album but due to the record company putting the release date back it was then added.

6: You can call me Al
One everybody knows – a song about his own experiences in Africa, with the last verse typifying everything he sees. Fav lyric –(half verse 3)
“A man walks down the street
it’s a street in a strange world
Maybe it’s the third world
Maybe its his first time around
he doesn’t speak the language
he holds no currency
He is a feign man “

7: Under African skies
Another brilliant track – nothing else to say – Fav lyric – “his path was marked by the stars in the southern hemisphere”

8: Homeless
Again song with lady smith Black manbazos, a song that typifies Africa at the time and sadly still today. Fav lyric- “the moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake”

9: Crazy Love Vol II
a gentle song that typifies African music and the way its played . Fav lyric – somebody could walk into this room and say your life is o fire”

10: That was your mother

11: All around the world
or
The myth of fingerprints
a really nice end to the album – Fav lyric “he said there’s no doubt about it, it was The myth of fingerprints that’s why we must learn to live alone”

The inlay to the cd gives all song words so you can sing along all you want!

The album was release in 1986 and was a huge hit, this spurred Paul Simon to writing more great Albums like “Rhythm Of The Saints “

To my mind a true from the heart, enjoyable album.
Graceland was re-released and re-mastered in July 2004 and will continued to make people smile for years to come.