Classic Albums - Paul Simon - Graceland (DVD)

Paul Simon's 1986 album GRACELAND is a landmark record. Recorded in New York and South Africa, the album sold 14 million copies and was named the Album of the Year at the 1986 Grammy Awards. GRACELAND brought the sound of South African music to audiences around the world.

Track Listing:
1. Boy In The Bubble
2. I Know What I Know
3. Graceland
4. Homeless
5. Crazy Love Vol. II
6. Under African Skies
7. You Can Call Me Al
8. Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes

The Good
A live performance for "Boy in the Bubble" in combined with the music video. Simon talks about how he was influenced by South African music as the tribal drums and accordion are accented. The video looks primitive by today's high tech standards. The song was a big hit at the time but I think you'll remember it by it repeated chorus: These are they days of miracle and wonder. The producer of Graceland said that the label Warner Brothers, had never heard anything like what Paul was doing. They show the studio recording footage set to the track "I Know What I Know". Everyone seems to be having a really good time, from the back-up singers to the drummer. We learn that most of the song writing was done in that very studio, not before hand. Paul discusses that the album's title track "Graceland" was tough to set to music. The twangy southern guitar sounds compliment it well during his Saturday Night Live performance. The video for "Homeless" was banned in South Africa although it only highlights South African's daily life and culture at the time. This was a time of apartied, so that was a major factor. The song makes a powerful point-gently, as Paul Simon puts it.

During the discussion of "Crazy Love Vol. II" Simon speaks of how he was criticized both South Africa and the U.S. for trying to raise awareness about the area. Simon clears up that's not why he went there. He fell in love with their music and wanted to play with their musicians, and let their musicians tell their stories. Another Saturday Night Live performance is highlighted when Paul duets with Linda Ronstat on "Under African Skies". The duo lay down some great vocal harmonies together. The song that everyone is familiar with is obviously "You Can Call Me All". Who can forget that penny whistle riff and funky bass line. There's so much more that you learn about the song here. Did you know that the base line is made up of a lick that is played forward then backward? Paul isolates the track in the studio to demonstrate. We also learn that the first video for the song sucked. SNL producer Lorn Michael's actually pitched the idea of Simon doing the video with Chevy Chase. The video was light and funny, but Simon thought it under-cut the deep meaning of the song, which is really about him.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict
A very informative DVD; I have a whole new appreciation for Paul Simon's Graceland after watching it. I'm actually going out to get the album now.

REGION 1