Graceland (Remastered / Expanded Edition)

"In a remarkable career spanning five decades, Paul Simon has amassed 9 Grammy awards and has been inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

The highly regarded singer / songwriter had been on the cutting-edge of pop music throughout most of the 1960s and the '70s, first as half of the seminal folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, and then as a well-received solo artist. But the rise of 1980s rock and new wave saw a decline in Simon's commercial success, and the singer responded by experimenting with different musical styles - most notably, world beat - that culminated in his adventurous 1986 masterpiece, 'Graceland'.

The album's fusion of American folk / rock songwriting and buoyant South African rhythms not only broke new ground in pop music, but became Simon's biggest-selling solo record and introduced Western audiences to the beautiful harmonies of South African vocal group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The Grammy-winning 'Graceland' marked a new creative direction for Simon, combining impressionistic lyrics with far-reaching musical styles. In addition to celebrating the mbaqanga music of South Africa, 'Graceland' globetrots through zydeco, conjunto, rock, and pop.

Simon's groundbreaking work can be heard on brilliant songs such as "Boy in the Bubble", "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", "You Can Call Me Al", and "Under African Skies". This expanded and remastered version of his classic album also features three previously unreleased tracks.

Paul Simon's catalog is one of the most diverse, literate, adventurous, and musically rich in all of popular music. 'Graceland' makes it clear as to why he is hailed as one of the greatest composers of the modern world."
-GEOFF (8th July, 2006)

"And don't forget folks, as well as the awesome talents of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, 'Graceland' also includes such fabulous guests as The Everly Brothers; Los Lobos; Youssou N'Dour; Alan Rubin; Steve Gadd; Jon Faddis; Ronnie Cuber; Linda Ronstadt; Randy Brecker; Adrian Belew; and of course the incredible Baghiti Khumalo (check out his transcendent solo on "You Can Call Me Al"). All of these fine musicians helped to make this album one of the true classics from the '80s. If you haven't heard it in a while, don't delay in seeking out 'Graceland' today, you wont regret it!"
-MARTY