Graceland 25th anniversary now on A&E
Posted by: joerand on 25 May 2012
Now airing -
A&E Network presents the world television premiere of "Paul Simon's Graceland Journey: Under African Skies," a documentary commemorating the 25th anniversary of the legendary Graceland album, on Friday May 25 at 10 PM ET/PT.
oh wonderful, I was at Amoeba in LA recently and 3/4 of my cds were his recent works . I saw him year ago with a very tight band, great performance. The encore was a dozen songs, and got most everyone up and dancing. I have most of his solo works now some on vinyl, it's comfort food to me.
I was actually trying to find a way to add a new topic on Mr Simon, thanks Joe. I think he and Dylan are the great american songwriters still in top form, the female is Joni tho technically she's Canadian. a winter ago listening to her I thought she would be high prestes at Lesbos, entreating the gods to bless them. I was a bit high on that session.
The documentary was very enjoyable for me. It put faces and personalities to all the wonderful voices from LadySmith Black Mambazo. It also dealt with the controversy surrounding Simon's original trip to South Africa and how he had naively offended the African National Congress and all it's supporters. Paul thought that as a musician he had a right to go where he pleased, as long as it was in an artistic pursuit. He's come to understand that he violated the boycott, and makes ammends.
The music is still great, and I am gathering Paul Simon's recent remasters on CD. Remastered Graceland sounds bigger and better than ever. What a wonderful, unique sound and what a melding of musical flavors!
I think Graceland is a timeless, landmark album and it will be appreciated for a long time to come.
For 20+ years, I have had the Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints on CD and Vinyl, and enjoyed the show on tv. At the end, I found myself wondering what Paul Simon added to it? Somehow he seems to edge between a sanctimonious tone and an air of false modesty. Ladysmith and the other African bands seemed fully formed in Africa well before Simon showed up. Somehow the show cast Simon in an unflattering light for me.
For 20+ years, I have had the Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints on CD and Vinyl, and enjoyed the show on tv. At the end, I found myself wondering what Paul Simon added to it? Somehow he seems to edge between a sanctimonious tone and an air of false modesty. Ladysmith and the other African bands seemed fully formed in Africa well before Simon showed up. Somehow the show cast Simon in an unflattering light for me.
For me, what Simon added wasn't so much artistic input (although I do enjoy the albums - and his influence is clear), as it was a marketing edge. Yes, LBM et. al. were making great music, but Simon brought that music to a different part of the world, and into our (western) mainstream. That is the true achievement, IMO.
I will look for the documentary. I loved that album when it came out during high school and I actually acquired it by answering a trivia question on the radio- what was strange about the way Jesse James loaded his guns? - he didn't. Though I retrieved a different CD from the station as reward, I quickly took the prize to a record store to exchange for "Graceland".
Of late, my youngest heard You Can Call Me Al played by a marching band at a Parade last fall when he was 2.5 and has loved it ever since. He calls it the parade song.
I saw the Rhythm of the Saints tour at the Tacoma Dome and it was both the quietest and best sounding concert I have ever heard. One could scarcely talk in hushed tones without disturbing ones neighbors. Granted they were the cheap seats at the back but still. Wish more concerts could be so wonderful. Feel a new topic coming on.
For 20+ years, I have had the Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints on CD and Vinyl, and enjoyed the show on tv. At the end, I found myself wondering what Paul Simon added to it? Somehow he seems to edge between a sanctimonious tone and an air of false modesty. Ladysmith and the other African bands seemed fully formed in Africa well before Simon showed up. Somehow the show cast Simon in an unflattering light for me.
Skip,
Are you saying that Simon just ripped off the African musicians? At the very least, you must acknowledge that he wrote some outstanding original songs for the album. Do you think that a song like Graceland could have been penned by Ladysmith?
Ahh - the Tacoma Dome - what an interesting place. The world's largest arena with a wooden dome. I saw a loud Macca there in 2002. Lots of reflected sound at that show (not that I didn't enjoy the performance). Yeah, quieter might be better. Looks like you're on to a new topic, indeed.
I remember Neil Young, playing completely solo, at the Richfield Coliseum (near Cleveland Ohio) circa 1984. The place was all concrete and notorious for poor acoustics. It was a quieter concert and sticks in my mind among the best I've seen. Maybe less is better.
back in 80s I saw and Architectural Digest spread of his house in Montauc (?) Long Island. Beatuiful modern version of shingled house. He mentions someone gave him some very interesting music on tape for drives out and time there trying to figure it out. Showed he had a gabled writing room with nurfball and basket he uses when he's stuck or trying to work something out. Years later my first hearing of Graceland on radio in Santa Barbara I turned toward downtown for the best record store. It was playing on the sound system. I played it soooo many times. Parties at that house my friends bought were a lot livelier. Paul was incredible and I didn't pay attention to the negative press, it was such an incredible marriage of music and lyrics.
Paul was incredible and I didn't pay attention to the negative press, it was such an incredible marriage of music and lyrics.
The recording was so very well done. If I close my eyes and listen to "Homeless", I feel like I'm sitting alone in a concert hall with the performers on stage in front of me. The voices/acoustics make my listening room seem SO big.
I'm not sure how many, if any, other recordings have done that for me. The reissue CD is even grander.
Agreed, the reissues are sonically excellent, both the CD and the LP.
I often remark to my wife that Graceland was the grand finale of classic rock, of baby-boomer culture--a best-selling album that captured the zeitgeist in a way that no later record has. She disagrees, of course, but can provide no alternative...
The documentary was very enjoyable for me. It put faces and personalities to all the wonderful voices from LadySmith Black Mambazo. It also dealt with the controversy surrounding Simon's original trip to South Africa and how he had naively offended the African National Congress and all it's supporters. Paul thought that as a musician he had a right to go where he pleased, as long as it was in an artistic pursuit. He's come to understand that he violated the boycott, and makes ammends.
The music is still great, and I am gathering Paul Simon's recent remasters on CD. Remastered Graceland sounds bigger and better than ever. What a wonderful, unique sound and what a melding of musical flavors!
I think Graceland is a timeless, landmark album and it will be appreciated for a long time to come.
Where you get them ears Joe?
Each CD release of Graceland has had it's dynamic range progressively
reduced. Original WB edition was DR14, 2004 remaster DR11, last
year's delux DR9 - this 25th edition is reported as DR7!
The remasters are all sonic pants - situation normal. The original 1986 standard Warner Bros issue sounds waaaay the best to me. Sadly; it seems that some audiophiles are becoming inured to compressed and dynamically lifeless remasters to satisfy the LOUD brigade and the inexorable march of the mp3 player.
Paraffin for your Lamborghini Sir?
John.
The documentary was very enjoyable for me. It put faces and personalities to all the wonderful voices from LadySmith Black Mambazo. It also dealt with the controversy surrounding Simon's original trip to South Africa and how he had naively offended the African National Congress and all it's supporters. Paul thought that as a musician he had a right to go where he pleased, as long as it was in an artistic pursuit. He's come to understand that he violated the boycott, and makes ammends.
The music is still great, and I am gathering Paul Simon's recent remasters on CD. Remastered Graceland sounds bigger and better than ever. What a wonderful, unique sound and what a melding of musical flavors!
I think Graceland is a timeless, landmark album and it will be appreciated for a long time to come.
Where you get them ears Joe?
Each CD release of Graceland has had it's dynamic range progressively
reduced. Original WB edition was DR14, 2004 remaster DR11, last
year's delux DR9 - this 25th edition is reported as DR7!
The remasters are all sonic pants - situation normal. The original 1986 standard Warner Bros issue sounds waaaay the best to me. Sadly; it seems that some audiophiles are becoming inured to compressed and dynamically lifeless remasters to satisfy the LOUD brigade and the inexorable march of the mp3 player.
Paraffin for your Lamborghini Sir?
John.
+1
The documentary was very enjoyable for me. It put faces and personalities to all the wonderful voices from LadySmith Black Mambazo. It also dealt with the controversy surrounding Simon's original trip to South Africa and how he had naively offended the African National Congress and all it's supporters. Paul thought that as a musician he had a right to go where he pleased, as long as it was in an artistic pursuit. He's come to understand that he violated the boycott, and makes ammends.
The music is still great, and I am gathering Paul Simon's recent remasters on CD. Remastered Graceland sounds bigger and better than ever. What a wonderful, unique sound and what a melding of musical flavors!
I think Graceland is a timeless, landmark album and it will be appreciated for a long time to come.
Where you get them ears Joe?
Each CD release of Graceland has had it's dynamic range progressively
reduced. Original WB edition was DR14, 2004 remaster DR11, last
year's delux DR9 - this 25th edition is reported as DR7!
The remasters are all sonic pants - situation normal. The original 1986 standard Warner Bros issue sounds waaaay the best to me. Sadly; it seems that some audiophiles are becoming inured to compressed and dynamically lifeless remasters to satisfy the LOUD brigade and the inexorable march of the mp3 player.
Paraffin for your Lamborghini Sir?
John.
John,
Nail on the head.
I have four copies of the original vinyl.
Stu.
Well said John, original is bestest!
I got my ears same as everyone – free from mom & dad. I don’t listen to MP3s or vinyl, just CDs on my Naim system. I prefer listening to the 2004 reissue of Graceland rather than the original 1986 release.
I don’t have a hang-up with DR numbers. I just listen to what suits my fancy 
.
There's a discussion about the issue on The Pink Salmon Show.
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/f...wthread.php?t=121689
John.
The Rutles did a song called living in hope.
That didn't sound to bad on vinyl and cassette back in 1977 and still sounds good today.
8 Track was on its way out almost gone then.
Betamax and VHS were on there way.
How things have changed.
Stu.
Good link that, thamks.
Hi is anyone going to the the Gracelands Anniversary concert in Hyde Park today should be good if the weather holds ?
Graham.
Hi is anyone going to the the Gracelands Anniversary concert in Hyde Park today should be good if the weather holds ?
Graham.
Graham,
Looks like the weather is holding out better than yesterdays Bruce Spring gig at Hard Rock calling in Hyde Park.
Sir Paul Mc is meant to be turning up to play at this gig also .
I just hope the Jobs worth from the council does not turn up and pull the Powerline out like he did last night while they were still playing at 10:45.
Stu.
Hi is anyone going to the the Gracelands Anniversary concert in Hyde Park today should be good if the weather holds ?
Graham.
Only one artist I would ever go to that s@@t hole of a venue for. The gigs here should now be no longer if they are not allowed to get it right with some Lontano loud volume. We were lucky with where we were last night but even then I questioned what was going on with the sound. Still hundreds of complaints on the web from elsewhere in the venue.
If you are going, I hope you enjoy and that they learn some lessons from last night.
Adrian,
Same thing a few years ago when Peter played and it pissed down.
Just looking now at the last Band Aid gig when Floyd got together with Roger in Hyde Park.
That was on tv live around the world all day and i am sure that over run by miles.
All my mates that went had to get hotels for the night because they missed the last trains home.
Stu.