Paul Simon - Graceland 25th Anniversary release

[ejp626]

I still remember the big kerfuffle about Graceland, particularly whether Paul Simon should have respected the boycott and recorded it somewhere else, i.e. not in South Africa. I took a bit of a hard line back in the day, particularly on whether he was exploiting Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Now a lot of those concerns seem pretty silly. I'm glad that the music came out and I listen to it every now and again.

So it is 25 years on now. And the obligatory anniversary edition has come out.

As far as I can see, there is a CD/DVD set, a 2CD/2DVD set and a 3 CD/1DVD Amazon exclusive.

As far as I can tell, the 2nd CD in the 2 box sets contains only 5 or so bonus tracks. But all or nearly all of the bonus tracks are tacked to the end of the single CD in the CD/DVD set. The DVD in all three sets is the Under African Skies documentary (which includes the famous SNL version of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes).

The main difference in the sets is that the the Amazon Exclusive CD contains 5 previously unreleased live tracks recorded in San Sebastian, Spain from the Graceland/Rhythm of the Saints Tour of 1989. Whereas the standard box set has the DVD of Paul Simon: Graceland - The African Concert, which has been OOP forever.

I think from a value perspective the CD/DVD release is the way to go (I actually only ever had Graceland on cassette, so I may be the only person in the world that could really use this release ). Some of the reviewers have said the bonus tracks are actually pretty interesting.

If I was in the market for a box set, then I would definitely go for the one with the DVD of the African Concert in it. However, it seems pretty likely that this will be released as a stand-alone DVD within the next year. And maybe I will pick it up if it comes out.

[Patrick]

While channel surfing a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across an interesting documentary about the making of Graceland on A&E. The doc includes footage from back in the day (including at some recording sessions) as well as Paul returning to South Africa 25 years later, meeting various musicians, visiting with anti-apartheid activists. Includes some footage/discussion of Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. The film ends with bits and pieces of a reunion performance. Agreed that concerns about Paul's actions seem a bit silly now.

I also pull that album out on occasion. Before a big exam in grad school (...way back in the day), I would sing along with "I Know What I Know" before heading out to take the test (i.e. it is now officially time to stop worrying about the material). Bouncy beat put a smile on my face (at least temporarily).

I purchased the ordinary CD as part of a largish order from CDNow (remember them?). Don't think I need anything more.

[colinmce]

No need for more content in my house, where this record is a staple. One of the best ever made, IMO.

[ejp626]

While channel surfing a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across an interesting documentary about the making of Graceland on A&E. The doc includes footage from back in the day (including at some recording sessions) as well as Paul returning to South Africa 25 years later, meeting various musicians, visiting with anti-apartheid activists. Includes some footage/discussion of Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. The film ends with bits and pieces of a reunion performance. Agreed that concerns about Paul's actions seem a bit silly now.

There's a pretty good chance that was Under African Skies, which included in these various packages. I'm not sure the market is all that robust for these sets, but I will be happy to listen to the bonus tracks as I never got around to picking up Graceland on CD.

[Patrick]

Yep. That was the documentary title.

[JSngry]

the famous SNL version of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes).

Didn't know that it was famous, but I do remember being pretty much stunned watching it live, and made it point to VCR it the next time it was on...and then wore out the tape just replaying that one tune.

Guess I wasn't the only one, eh?

[king ubu]

Dang, and I just bought the regular CD issue - it's one of the albums that was in constant rotation in my childhood, and it was great to hear it again. Three of the bonus tracks are on the CD, so I guess the most interesting thing would be the amazon exclusive, but this whole thing ist just too darn expensive. They really ought to be able to add some more music if they want us to pay that much!

[ejp626]

Dang, and I just bought the regular CD issue - it's one of the albums that was in constant rotation in my childhood, and it was great to hear it again. Three of the bonus tracks are on the CD, so I guess the most interesting thing would be the amazon exclusive, but this whole thing ist just too darn expensive. They really ought to be able to add some more music if they want us to pay that much!

Agreed. I got the CD/DVD for $20 including shipping, and I thought that was very reasonable. $80 for either one more concert DVD or one more concert CD seems highway robbery.

[ejp626]

Ok, my copy finally showed up. I am digging the alternative version of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. Basically, it strips out the horns (and the Ladysmith chorus at the front, though they come in at the end, which in a way works well since it is so surprising -- well, in the alternate universe where this version was the released one). Perhaps most different is that Paul adds this weird vocal flourish (like "Toleo-day") throughout the song. I think the official release is a bit better, but it's really interesting to hear this version.

I'm a bit annoyed that there seems to be a bit of damage to the DVD, though it might clean up. (The package was shrink-wrapped but this DVD sure looks used.) This is a case where I feel justified in ripping since the resulting version will probably play better than the original. If I had bought this in town, I would definitely be returning it, but I'm not going to ship it back across the Atlantic. However, the CD itself is fine (and does look new).

The You Can Call Me Al video is as lame as ever. I don't recall ever seeing the Diamonds video on MTV, though I suppose I probably did. The SNL performance of Diamonds looks quite good and Paul sounds great. I actually had a chance to see Paul Simon play Chicago just a year or two ago in a smallish club, and now I am kicking myself that I didn't go. Ah well.

[JohnS]

One of the few non-jazz records I have.