#46 Paul Simon, 'Graceland' (1986)

Previously #71

Following the deterioration of his friendship with Garfunkel, the dissolution of his marriage to Carrie Fisher and the commercial failure of his album, ‘Hearts and Bones,’ Paul Simon suffered a bout of depression. During this time, he managed to get hold of the South African compilation, 'The Indestructible Beat of Soweto’ (#497), a collection of Mbaqanga songs that fascinated Simon. He hopped on a plane and visited Johannesburg, where he spent two weeks recording with some of the very best South African musicians, the likes of Bakithi Khumalo, Ray Phiri, Isaac Mtshali and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, amongst others. 1985 was one of the worst years of Apartheid. A State Of Emergency was declared due to the riots in the townships. The ANC aimed to make the townships ungovernable (AKA People’s Power). Apartheid had been official policy for 37 years and Black South Africans had had enough. There was a lot of violence and police brutality during this time. Media was censored and so were Black musicians. This led to a cultural boycott of South Africa, and Simon was heavily criticised for visiting the country and recording with its musicians.

I honestly thought Paul Simon was South African until I was about 9 years old. His songs and vocals fit perfectly with the musicians. What would become his most successful album of his career, ‘Graceland’ gave us song such as ‘The Boy In The Bubble,’ ‘Graceland,’ ‘Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes,’ ‘Homeless’ and ‘You Can Call Me Al.’ It won the Grammy for album of the year and went on to sell in excess of 16 million copies. The record opened up South African music to the world, and in particular launched the international career of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Due to the international boycott, South African musicians had struggled to break through the cloud of Apartheid. If you never listened earlier in the countdown, give 'The Indestructible Beat of Soweto’ (#497) a listen to get an idea of this album came together.

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