Paul Simon - Graceland

With Graceland, Paul Simon hit on the idea of combining his always perceptive songwriting with the little-heard mbaqanga music of South Africa, creating a fascinating hybrid that re-enchanted his old audience and earned him a new one. It is true that the South African angle (including its controversial aspect during the apartheid days) was a powerful marketing tool and that the catchy music succeeded in presenting listeners with that magical combination: something they'd never heard before that nevertheless sounded familiar. As eclectic as any record Simon had made, it also delved into zydeco and conjunto-flavored rock & roll while marking a surprising new lyrical approach (presaged on some songs on Hearts and Bones); for the most part, Simon abandoned a linear, narrative approach to his words, instead drawing highly poetic ("Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes"), abstract ("The Boy in the Bubble"), and satiric ("I Know What I Know") portraits of modern life, often charged by striking images and turns of phrase torn from the headlines or overheard in contemporary speech. An enormously successful record, Graceland became the standard against which subsequent musical experiments by major artists were measured. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Name Credits Ademola Adepoju Guitar (Steel), Pedal Steel Adrian Belew Guitar, Synth Guitar Alan Rubin Trumpet Alex Foster Sax (Alto) Alonzo Johnson Bass Alton Rubin Drums Assane Thaim Percussion Babacar Faye Percussion Bakithi Khumalo Bass Barney Rachabane Saxophone Cesar Rosas Guitar, Vocals Chikapa "Ray" Phiri Guitar, Arranger Conrad Lozano Bass Daniel Xilakazi Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm) Dave Bargeron Trombone Dave Rubin Washboard David Hidalgo Vocals, Accordion, Guitar David W. Bargeron Trombone Diane Garisto Vocals (Background) Earl Gardner Trumpet Forere Motloheloa Bass, Accordion Gary Heery Photography Gasa Sisters Vocals Greg Calbi Mastering Isaac Mtshali Drums Jeffrey Kent Ayeroff Art Direction Jeri McManus Art Direction Johnny Hoyt Saxophone Jon Faddis Trumpet Jonhjon Mkhalali Accordion Joseph Shabalala Lead, Singer Kim Champagne Design Kim Cissel Trombone Ladysmith Black Mambazo Vocals Leonard Pickett Sax (Tenor) Lew Soloff Trumpet Linda Ronstadt Vocals Lloyd Lelose Bass Los Lobos ? Louie Pérez Drums Lulu Masilela Tambourine Makhaya Mahlangu Percussion Marc Cobrin Assistant Engineer Mark Miller Assistant Engineer Michelle Cobbs Vocals (Background) Mike Makhalemele Saxophone Morris Goldberg Penny Whistle, Sax (Soprano), Soloist Paul Simon Producer, Bass, Main Performer, Arranger, 6-String Electric Bass, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic), Synclavier, Guitar, Liner Notes, Vocals Peter Thwaites Assistant Engineer Petrus Manile Drums Ralph MacDonald Percussion Randy Brecker Trumpet Ratau Mike Makhalemele Saxophone Ray Phiri Guitar Rob Mounsey Keyboards, Synthesizer Ronald E. Brecker Trumpet Ronnie Cuber Sax (Baritone), Sax (Bass) Roy Halee Engineer Sherman Robertson Guitar Steve Berlin Saxophone Steve Gadd Drums Steven Strassman Assistant Engineer Teaspoon Ndlela Saxophone The Boyoyo Boys Group The Everly Brothers Vocals Vusi Khumalo Drums Youssou N'Dour Percussion