Track Listing

1. Boy In The Bubble
2. Graceland
3. I Know What I Know
4. Gumboots
5. Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
6. You Can Call Me Al
7. Under African Skies
8. Homeless
9. Crazy Love Vol 2
10. All Around The World Or The Myth Of Fingerprints

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6921 in Music
• Released on: 1986-09-01
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
The melding of South African styles and Simon's trademark sensibility made for one of the most intriguing albums--not to mention commercial hits--of the 1980s. At once lively, thoughtful, gorgeous, and tough, Graceland acknowledges splits both in South Africa's social fabric and in Simon's personal life (the title track is a clear descendant of the earlier "Hearts and Bones", a song about the singer- songwriter's brief marriage to Carrie Fisher). Humour is hardly absent from the mix, though; witness the addled "I Know What I Know" and the fable-like "You Can Call Me Al". --Rickey Wright

CD Description
Through the mist of subsequent pale imitations, it is difficult now to recall the enormous impact of this trans-cultural album. The mould-breaking blend of rock and African rhythms is exemplified by "Homeless", an exquisitely melancholic evocation of African beauty and desolation. The stirring harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo illuminate "Homeless" and "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes". The element of humour in the latter is echoed in "You Can Call Me Al", a hit single. The lyrics are finely crafted and the result is a structure of impeccable proportions. There are angels in the architecture.

Customer Reviews

Simply put: Perfect!
I can honestly say that this was the first album that i listened to over and over again, and still after the 4th time i was picking up lyrics and phrases that i had not heard before.
The music is lovely and crisp on the ear and is full of rythem and style that is sadly becoming lost in todays electric tunes.
Paul Simon has lost none of his style and panache in this, and it still stands out as one of the greatest and most loved albums of all time.

Simply perfect.

SUBLIME
This seamless blend of African pop and American folk styles is one of the most exquisite musical achievements of the 20th century. The melodies are exquisite and each and every one of the tracks is a classic. The best loved songs include The Boy In The Bubble, Graceland, Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes and Under African Skies, but the rest hold great charm too. The most rootsy African sounds surface on I Know What I Know with the soulful vocal infusions of The Gaza Sisters. Paul Simon has always successfully integrated exotic sounds in his music to create great beauty: Andean flutes in El Condor Pasa, reggae in Me And Julio Down By The School Yard and in Mother & Child Reunion, and Latin/South American sounds in Rhythm Of The Saints, but Graceland is his towering achievement as a solo artist, a truly exceptional album with a power and beauty that transcends all musical boundaries.

One of my favourites
I think the previous reviews sum this album up perfectly, but what I will say is this is one of my favourite albums ever. Im not a big Paul Simon fan. But back in 1986 I thought "You Can Call Me Al" was kind of cool, but "Boy in the Bubble" was different and did it for me and I went out and bought the cassette version. This album is still so alive and invigorating. I guess these days you would have to be a big Paul Simon fan to buy this, but if you are just getting into world music then this would definately be a great starter with its pop edge.