Paul Simon – Graceland

The universal appeal of the music of Graceland proved more powerful and enduring than the political hotbed attending its creation. In 1986, the album sold 14 million copies worldwide, and received universal praise from critics around the globe. Simon, a 12-time Grammy Award-winner, and composer of then two Grammy-awarded albums of the year (Bridge Over Troubled Water, Still Crazy After All These Years) traveled to South Africa to record with local artists. Simon and the members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo subsequently performed on TV’s Saturday Night Live and appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone. Graceland earned Simon another Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1987 as well as Song of the Year in 1988.

The story of the making of Graceland and the controversy it created, is told in “Under African Skies,” a full-length documentary from two-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger. The flim debuted at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, kicking off the year-long celebration commemorating the 25th anniversary of Simon’s musical and cultural achievement with Graceland.

Simon’s artistic decision to collaborate with African musicians created a new world musical fusion, combining American and African musical idioms while igniting an intense political crossfire. Simon was accused of breaking the UN cultural boycott of South Africa designed to end the Apartheid regime. The album generated three hit singles — in January 1987 “You Can Call Me Al” was played everywhere; while the title track won Song of the Year in 1988 — and it kept Simon and the Graceland tour on the road for five years.

Graceland continues to provide rewards to its listeners and remains a pivotal listening experience for writers, artists and fans. “Paul Simon’s Graceland played a greatly significant role in removing the standoffish dread Western culture harbored toward South Africa during its internal struggle against apartheid, humanizing both a country’s soul-searching hunger for liberation and its simultaneous outpouring of cathartic creative expression.” — Timothy White, Billboard

Format : Vinyl Record

1 Lp