PAUL SIMON - GRACELAND (LTD. CLEAR VINYL )

NATIONAL ALBUM DAY

LTD. CLEAR VINYL LP

Released in 1986 to widespread acclaim and even controversy in some quarters, 'Graceland' has become a shining highlight in a career spanning many generations and continues to speak and influence in equal measure.
Now well documented, it's story of inspirational creation and completion started in the early 1980s, Simon's relationship with his former musical partner Art Garfunkel had deteriorated, his marriage to actress Carrie Fisher had collapsed, and his previous record, Hearts and Bones (1983), had been a commercial failure. In 1984, after a period of depression, Simon became fascinated by a bootleg cassette of South African township music.

With Roy Halee his long time producer in tow, he visited Johannesburg, where they spent two weeks recording the foundations of what would eventually become 'Graceland' with the exceptional South African musicians they had listened to and learned from during their stay. The rest as they say 'is history'..."It's every generation throws a hero up the pop charts" sings Paul Simon on one of the albums many stand out tracks 'Boy In The Bubble', as the video generation were treated to this and the relentless track 'You Can Call Me Al' with the infamous Chevy Chase video, on repeat throughout the year. Graceland became Simon's most successful studio album and his highest-charting album in over a decade; it is estimated to have sold up to 16 million copies worldwide and continues to be regarded as one of the best albums of all time.

Tracklist:

1. The Boy in the Bubble
2. Graceland
3. I Know What I Know
4. Gumboots
5. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
6. You Can Call Me Al
7. Under African Skies
8. Homeless
9. Crazy Love, Vol. II
10. That Was Your Mother
11. All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints