The Classic Vinyl Record

In 1986, Graceland by Paul Simon was one of the biggest albums released. It hit #3 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the UK charts. It also got a Grammy for Album of the year, and one for Graceland as song of the year.

After not having much success, Paul Simon came out with Graceland, which he had recorded in South Africa using Black South African musicians (during apartheid). Because of this, there is a lot of local influence in the record, especially since Ladysmith Black Mambazo was a featured group on a few of the songs.

Also on the album were Linda Ronstadt, The Everly Brothers, Los Lobos (who later sued Simon for taking credit for the song “All Around the World or The Myth of Fingerprints” which they claim they wrote) and Ghanaian drummer Okyerema Asante.

I think this album is so good because it’s not just one style, Simon took artists of different styles and blended them together that you have to love. It might sound strange when you look at some of the other music I’ve talked about on here, but I do like Simon and Garfunkel, and I love this album.

One of my favorite songs is “You Can Call Me Al”, the music is great, but the video with Chevy Chase is even better.

Graceland Track Listing

Side 1

1. The Boy in the Bubble
2. Graceland
3. I Know What I Know
4. Gumboots
5. Diamonds of the Soles of Her Shoes

Side 2

1. You Can Call Me Al
2. Under African Skies
3. Homeless
4. Crazy Love Vol. II
5. That Was Your Mother
6. All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints

Bonus on the CD reissue

1. Homeless (Demo)
2. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Alternate Version)
3. All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints (Early Version)

Here is a sample of the album with Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo (you need Flash to play it).

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You can buy Paul Simon – Graceland at Musicstack or at Vinyl on Amazon, or on CD, DVD or MP3 on Amazon.