Customer Reviews

Classic Albums - Paul Simon - Graceland

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Good
A live performance for "Boy in the Bubble" in combined with the music video. Simon talks about how he was influenced by South African music as the tribal drums and accordion are accented. The video looks primitive by today's high tech standards. The song was a big hit at the time but I think you'll remember it by it repeated chorus: These are they days of miracle and wonder. The producer of Graceland said that the label Warner Brothers, had never heard anything like what Paul was doing. They show the studio recording footage set to the track "I Know What I Know". Everyone seems to be having a really good time, from the back-up singers to the drummer. We learn that most of the song writing was done in that very studio, not before hand. Paul discusses that the album's title track "Graceland" was tough to set to music. The twangy southern guitar sounds compliment it well during his Saturday Night Live performance. The video for "Homeless" was banned in South Africa although it only highlights South African's daily life and culture at the time. This was a time of apartied, so that was a major factor. The song makes a powerful point-gently, as Paul Simon puts it.

During the discussion of "Crazy Love Vol. II" Simon speaks of how he was criticized both South Africa and the U.S. for trying to raise awareness about the area. Simon clears up that's not why he went there. He fell in love with their music and wanted to play with their musicians, and let their musicians tell their stories. Another Saturday Night Live performance is highlighted when Paul duets with Linda Ronstat on "Under African Skies". The duo lay down some great vocal harmonies together. The song that everyone is familiar with is obviously "You Can Call Me All". Who can forget that penny whistle riff and funky bass line. There's so much more that you learn about the song here. Did you know that the base line is made up of a lick that is played forward then backward? Paul isolates the track in the studio to demonstrate. We also learn that the first video for the song sucked. SNL producer Lorn Michael's actually pitched the idea of Simon doing the video with Chevy Chase. The video was light and funny, but Simon thought it under-cut the deep meaning of the song, which is really about him.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict
A very informative DVD; I have a whole new appreciation for Paul Simon's Graceland after watching it. I'm actually going out to get the album now.

No matter what the subject is, most people scream and run the other direction when they hear the word "documentary", but this is an insightful, personal look at the creative process that created one of the American music industry's most successful albums.

Paul Simon and his musical cohorts offer personal stories, recording footage, and a history of not only of the album, but the circumstances--both private and international--that influenced the birth of the concept.

The only drawback to this collection is that one never sees a video from start to finish; and that--or a complete song performed live--would have been nice.

I really loved this dvd. There is some information for everybody, beginners as well as advanced. There is also a nice presence from Paul himself who does not hestitate to retrace the painful and private premices of this album. I was not necessarily a huge fan of his music and knew absolutely nothing of his personnal life and of his method in composing. This dvd, without being too personnal, made me discover the craftmanship of the composer and the depth of the man.
I also enjoyed the discovery of the South-African music, their traditions and influence as described by some of the musician of that country. The many footages of the countryside were a pleasure, which worked perfectly with "Graceland" songs.
The anecdotes are meaningful, witty, funny, deep, depending on the situation. None of them self-indulgent or egotistical. This DVD is a truly great journey with one of the most influential folk composer's. I would rank this DVD up there with "The Clash, West way to the world" and
"U2, the making of the Joshua tree".

To be honest with you, the 1980's brought out some of the most universal and influential records of all time. While we will always think of Michael Jackson's Thriller and Whitney Houston's 2 records that really shot up the charts, her 1987 Whitney album and her 1985 self-titled record, there were some of those who've felt at that time lost in the shuffle. Paul Simon was one of those acts. He was in a awkward place in his solo career and personal life with a divorce from Carrie Fisher and his reunion with Art arfunkel in the early 80's. He needed a sense of inspiration to his work, because he did feel the need of being commercial success anymore. His most successful work, lied within inspiration from discrimination and turned into Graceland.

Classic Albums: Paul Simon's Graceland is a delightful and remarkable retrospective behiind what made Paul Simon's 1986 album one of the most influential records of all time, and his most successful to date. The story shows how Paul Simon went all the way to South Africa, and how he earned the influences to what became a great album. The documentary includes highlights from him as well as others who worked behind the scenes, including highlights from his Graceland tour and appearances from Saturday Night Live. The filming also shows how tracks like You Can Call Me Al were made into great videos for the MTV era with Chevy Chase. The filming was great and showed a lighter side from a country that was heavily discriminated and abused because of Apartheid rule. There also are great moments here including tracks like Graceland, the upbeat The Boy In The Bubble, and many other wonderful comments.

All in all, Classic Albums has had many of its documentarires recently air on the VH1 Classic channel and reflect great music in our industry that we often really forget about and overlook. Paul Simon today is one of those acts who we still know and love, and I really recommend this if you're a die hard fan, or interested into new music. You might call him Al, but don't call him a throwback.

Documentary: B+

Price: A-

Extras: B

Remastering: B

Overall: B 1/2+

a great in depth view into the makings of a great album, showing how music can help bridge divides and spawn inspiration. an interesting cross selection of interview with friends, musicians and producer. would recommend if you loved the album, if your looking for a new directions with you sound, or your interested in music and human relations.

This DVD shows the incredible talent and focus of Paul Simon as well as his great concern for those in unimaginal plight. Many believed his trip to Africa was inappropriate when he made the album but the film shows just the opposite. What an example of how powerful it is when peoples of this world work together in both cultural and musical harmony!

Put simply tis documentary is a fascinating informative look behind the creation of one of the greatest albums of the 1980s.

Paul Simon and the african musicians break down many of the songs - chord by chord, lyric by lyric and reveal the very personal journey this album was for all.

A great balance of interviews, clips of live performances and of some of the music videos. If you are a fan of music then you will not be disappointed.

Which song does Paul Simon consider his best work? Which line would he rewrite if he could? Where does he stand in this album's role in the effort against apartheid. And what was behind that great bass break in "You Can Call Me Al". Buy this DVD to find out...

Still good but a far cry from the original live concert on Video.The DVD lacks the apparent african background of the former.

The Graceland DVD is very educational and well done as far as learning about how the album was made and the complexities involved. However, it was short on actual recordings from the album being played or performed. It was 80% talk 20% music. I would have expected the reverse to be the case. So, if you expect to hear the music of the album, don't buy this DVD.