GRACELAND

The making of a masterpiece

Paul Simon

There was a truly wonderful and fascinating programme on tv last night about the making of Paul Simon's 'Graceland' album in the Classic Albums series shown on BBC4 which we have discussed and mentioned before. I had many arguments about cultural appropriation that actually were a part of this album's great influence for me but this programme concentrated  on the writing and composing process and what happens when a group of people who do not know each other make some extraordinary kind of connection. . . . . . oh and yesterday was his birthday! born October 13 1941 Paul Fredric Simon in Newark, NJ. Happy 77th Birthday, Mr Simon!!

Get it while you can . . . . . 

BBC Classic Albums - GRACELAND

Auntie says: Since its release in 1986, Paul Simon's Graceland has had an enormous impact on rock music with its blend of rock and African rhythms. Simon and engineer Roy Halee demonstrate the multi-tracking and mixing of the album and reveal the inspiration behind the songs, and composer Philip Glass assesses the album's place in musical history. Featuring interviews with major artists involved in the album, including Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and guitarist Ray Phiri, who shatter the myth about their relationship with Simon

Without this album I would not have known who Ray Phiri was, or Ladysmith Black Mambazo or the extraordinary bass player Batithi Kumalo . . . . if you are going to break apartheid this is how to do it


If you wondered well this is WHY

ANGELS IN THE ARCHITECTURE


We have had this before I am sure . . . but it is Monday here and put this on and TURN IT UP!

"Mr Beer Belly, beer belly get these mutts away from me, you know. I don't find this stuff amusing anymore  . . . . . "

" . . . a man walks down the street and says 'Why am I short of attention. Got a short little span of attention and all my nights are so long . . . . . . 

On this day in music history: August 12, 1986 - “Graceland”, the seventh album by Paul Simon is released. Produced by Paul Simon, it is recorded at Ovation Studios in Johannesburg, Republic Of South Africa, The Hit Factory in New York City, Amigo Studios in Los Angeles, CA, Abbey Road Studios in London, UK and Master-Trak Enterprises, Crowley, LA from October 1985 - June 1986. Following the poorly received “Hearts And Bones” album, Paul Simon is given a cassette of Township Jive music by the South African group The Boyoyo Boys by a friend. His interest is piqued by an instrumental called “Gumboots” (which he later writes lyrics for and records). The music inspires Simon to travel to South Africa and record with a group of South African musicians (which is controversial at the time as it breaks the cultural embargo against the country that is still ruled by separatist system of Apartheid) which also includes the vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The album also includes contributions and guest appearances by Los Lobos, Linda Ronstadt, and The Everly Brothers. When it is released, it is enthusiastically received, garnering great critical acclaim and commercial success, spinning off three singles including “You Can Call Me Al” (#23 Pop), “The Boy In The Bubble” (#86 Pop) and the title track (#81 Pop). The album wins two Grammy Awards including Album Of The Year in 1987, and Record Of The Year for the title track in 1988. In 2007, the album is added to the National Recording Registry by the Library Of Congress. To commemorate the albums twenty fifth anniversary, it is remastered and reissued as a two CD + DVD box set featuring previously unreleased demos, alternate versions and an interview with Paul Simon on the making of the landmark album. The DVD contains the documentary “Under African Skies” and a full live concert filmed in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1987. The box also contains a notepad, poster and 76 page booklet with photos and extensive annotation. It is also reissued as a 180 gram vinyl LP the same year, with a limited edition number edition released exclusively through Boston based retailer Newbury Comics (limited to 2,000 copies) and clear vinyl LP pressing released through UK retailer HMV Music (limited to 500 copies) in 2015. “Graceland” peaks at number three on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 5x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

all along, long there were incidents and accidents, there were hints and allegations

This was one of my brother' Steve's favourite albums and rapidly became one of mine too and all the argument about cultural  appropriation seem to be gone now as we realise without Paul we wouldn't have known who many of these people were like Ray Phiri and Ladysmith Black Mambazo  It is also great GREAT music! Still listening to African artists too . . . . . .it's called sharing! Ask the Mambazo boys what they think!

 oh and you can call me anything you like . . . . . just so long as you call me

Ray Phiri's death 2017