#46 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“Paul Simon flew to Soweto and collaborated with South African musicians during apartheid, and the result is one of the most joyful, boundary-crossing albums ever made. Ladysmith Black Mambazo's harmonies on 'Homeless' are transcendent. The Warner Bros. pressing captures the warmth of the Johannesburg sessions.”
Paul Simon emerged as one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the late 20th century, initially gaining fame as half of Simon & Garfunkel alongside Art Garfunkel in the 1960s. The duo's sophisticated pop arrangements and introspective lyrics on albums like 'Bookends' (1968) and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' (1970) defined an era. After their 1970 split, Simon launched a successful solo career, consistently pushing musical boundaries by incorporating world music influences, particularly Brazilian bossa nova and South African township music. His 1986 album 'Graceland,' recorded with South African musicians, became a landmark achievement that introduced millions to world music while sparking important conversations about cross-cultural collaboration. Throughout his career, Simon crafted densely layered, lyrically sophisticated albums like 'Still Crazy After All These Years' (1975) and 'The Rhythm of the Saints' (1990), establishing himself as a masterful producer and arranger.
Style
Paul Simon's music spans sophisticated pop, folk-rock, and world music fusion, characterized by intricate vocal harmonies, complex arrangements, and poetic lyricism. His work blends acoustic guitar traditions with rhythmic experimentation and diverse global influences.
Significance
Simon's extensive catalog represents essential listening for vinyl collectors interested in pop songwriting excellence and sonic innovation. His albums, particularly his collaborations and world music-influenced works, are prized for their production quality and have maintained strong collector value due to their artistic significance and reissue availability.
Graceland, released in 1986, marked Paul Simon's ambitious foray into world music, specifically South African township music and isicathamiya. Simon traveled to South Africa in 1985 to record with local musicians including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the vocal group led by Joseph Shabalala. The album was recorded across multiple sessions in New York and South Africa, with producer Roy Halee and engineer Nick Davis overseeing the project. Simon's songwriting process involved absorbing the rhythmic and harmonic textures of South African music, resulting in a fusion that honored the source material while maintaining his distinctive songwriting sensibility. The collaboration brought international recognition to Ladysmith Black Mambazo and introduced millions of listeners to South African musical traditions during the final years of apartheid.
Historical Context
Graceland arrived during a pivotal moment when world music was gaining mainstream acceptance, yet the album transcended typical "world music" categorization through its artistic integrity and commercial success. It reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Album in 1987, introducing South African music to Western audiences at a crucial political moment. The album was initially controversial among anti-apartheid activists who questioned Simon's recording in South Africa, though it ultimately served as a cultural ambassador for the country's musicians. The record influenced the trajectory of world music in popular culture and demonstrated that sophisticated crosscultural collaboration could achieve both critical and commercial success.
Pressing Notes
The original 1986 Warner Bros. vinyl pressing is the most sought-after by collectors, featuring the classic gatefold jacket with photography by Anton Corbijn. Early pressings vary in sound quality depending on pressing plant; the German and Dutch pressings are often considered superior to some domestic US pressings. A remastered 180-gram audiophile pressing was released by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, offering improved sound quality for serious collectors. The album has remained in print continuously, with various reissues including a 2010 deluxe edition and a 2016 remaster. Original first pressings in excellent condition command premium prices, particularly those with minimal surface noise and accurate speed.
So
Peter Gabriel
Features similarly sophisticated world music influences, intricate rhythmic arrangements, and a polished yet adventurous sonic palette.
Remain in Light
Talking Heads
Pioneering use of polyrhythmic structures and African-influenced rhythms combined with art rock sensibilities that influenced Graceland's approach.
Own this record? Track it in your collection.