The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time: Paul Simon-Graceland (1986)

#46 Paul Simon-Graceland

Paul Simon was at a low point  in his career, his last album bombed, his relationship with his Art Garfunkel had deteriorated and his marriage with Carrie Fisher was over. He couldn’t find inspiration to record a new record. Then he heard an album that appeared on this list at #497 The South African Compilation album The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto is a record that everyone should definitely check out.  He went to South Africa and recorded with local South African musicians. The result is on the most solid album of his career. It mixed his own musical style with inspiration from African folk music. It opened the door for world music to find a new audience. He did get criticism for recording in South Africa, a country that was battling apartheid for decades. Whatever you think about his decision to record there and what that meant the political landscape or if you think that recording this album opened the door for musicians that wouldn’t have gotten the attention you can’t deny the this is one of the best albums of the 80’s and deserves some love. 

The album opens up with “The Boy In The Bubble”musically it has a very upbeat groove but lyrically it tells tales of hope and despair told through the lens of an observer. For me “Graceland” has a very country vibe mixed in with South African grooves. The song was inspired by the breakup of his marriage but also has this swirling traveling groove that reminds me of driving down a road on your way to a memorable destination. In this case it is going to the home of Elvis Presely. “I Know What I Know” is a song that was inspired by South African Musicians General M.D. Shirinda and The Gaza Sisters who appear on the track. This song totally embraces  the sounds of that country. He recorded all the music in South Africa and then wrote all the lyrics when he got home. He is quoted as saying he found it really difficult to find the right words to match the music. In this case he is singing about the excess of  celebrity. The backing vocals by The Gaza Sisters make the track gel together. “Gumboots' ' was the song that inspired Simon to record in South Africa after hearing a track called Gumbootya by local South African musicians The Boyoyo Boys he wanted to record the song with the group. Even though he was discouraged from traveling to the country by fellow musicians he did it anyway. The song has this sped up african folk groove that sounds so chill at the same time. “Diamonds Of The Soles Of Here Shoes” starts out with the voices of Simon and various South African vocalists who sound amazing on the track when the music kicks in. It is this folky groove that Simon has been making a career creating. It also adds some great horns to give it a solid foundation. “You Call Me Al” was the biggest hit from the album. The groove on this song is so infectious. It sounds  absolutely incredible. I think it does a great job of mixing the african folk sounds with western pop sensibilities. In my opinion, it is a perfect song. Fun fact I thought Chevy Chase who appeared in the video was actually Paul Simon. Hey In my defense this was my first exposure to either one of them. “Under African Skies” has this mellow groove Simon sounds great vocally and LInda Ronstadt does backing vocals on the track. It is just a beautifully composed song. “Homeless” is a pure african folk song that has the African Group Ladysmith Black Mambazo take control and Simon is only a passenger in this journey. “Crazy Love Vol II” veers away from the African grooves and sounds more like the typical Paul Simon song. You still hear hints of it laced throughout the instrumentation. This song has to be about Carrie Fisher. “This Is Your Mother” which features The Good Rockin Dopsie & The Twisters  sounds like music from a New Orleans street fair. It is a nice change of pace for the record. The closing track “All Around The World or The Myth Of Fingerprints” was recorded with Los Lobos. It does have that rock out heavy latin groove that the band was known for but also includes that cool african folk grooves as well. It is a cool way to end the album. 

When I first relistened to this album I was thinking what was the big deal but after multiple listens and the journey this album goes on I would definitely put this on your bucket list. Would I put at #46 on the greatest albums list ahead of albums from Pink Floyd, Led Zep, or The Ramones. I don’t think I would. I do think it deserves its place in history. I am going giving it a 5 out of 5 stars.