Paul Simon
Graceland

Artist: Paul Simon
Title: Graceland
Release Year: 1986
Pressing Year: 1986
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Catalog Number: 9 25447-1
Run-Out Etching: 12 5447-A RE2 - SH1-omm B-23620-Re2-SH1 STERLING-DMM SPO-7 SM1-1 △12646 3-7 AL-SP
Format: 33 RPM • 12” Album • Stereo
UPC: 07599254471

With this album, 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. The South African angle (including its controversial aspect during the apartheid days) was a powerful marketing tool. 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; 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, this recording became the standard against which subsequent musical experiments by major artists were measured.

Personnel: Paul Simon (lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, synclavier, six-string electric bass); Forere Motloheloa, Jonhjon Mkhalali, Alton “Dopsie” Rubin Sr. (accordion); Bagbiti Khumalo, Lloyd Lelose, Alonzo Johnson, Conrad Lozano (bass); Vusi Khumalo, Petrus Manile, Isaac Mishali, Alton “Dopsie” Rubin Sr., Louis Perez, Steve Gadd (drums); Makhaya Mahlangu, Lulu Masilela, Ralph McDonald, Youssou N’dour, Bavacar Faye, Assane Thiam (percussion); Adrian Belew (guitar, synthesizer guitar); Rob Mounsey (synthesizer); Chikapa “Ray” Phiri, Daniel Xilukuzi, Sherman Robertson (guitar); Cesar Rosas (guitar, backing vocals); David Hildago (guitar, accordion, backing vocals); Demola Adepoju (pedal steel guitar), The Everly Brothers, The Gaza Sisters, Linda Ronstadt, Joseph Shabalala (vocals); Barney Rachabane, Mike Makbalemele, Teaspoon Ndlela, Alex Foster, Leonard Pickett, Ronald E. Cuber, Johnny Hoyt, Steve Berlin (saxophones); Earl Gardner, John Faddis, Ronald E. Brecker, Lewis Michael Soloff, Alan Rubin (trumpet); David W. Bargeron, Kim Allan Cissel (trombones); Morris Goldberg (penny whistle, soprano sax); David Rubin (washboard); Diane Aristo, Michele Cobbs, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (backing vocals).

VINYL GRADE: VG+
Notes: Minimal surface noise. A good cleaning is all this one needs. No warping.

LABEL GRADE: VG+
Notes: No ring wear, tape, spindle wear, or writing. Standard rainbow WB shield logo with ghosted gray WB shields on cream. Text is black on cream.

SLEEVE GRADE: VG+
Notes: Original plain white paper. No tape, no writing, no rips, no stains, no splits. Some crinkles. Complete lyrics, personnel, and liner notes on both sides. (Blue text on white.)

JACKET GRADE: VG+
Notes: Embossed artwork. Slightly visible ring wear, light crinkling, no splits, no tape, no writing. Edges, spine (readable), corners in great shape. A few tiny dings. (The image shown is my own original scan.)

Shipping is $4.00. NOTE: I will NOT be responsible for items lost or damaged in the mail.

Payments managed by eBay.

Combined shipping: I will be happy to combine multiple items. If you buy more than one item from me, the shipping cost will be the highest original shipping fee plus $1 per additional item.

This is not a cut-out or a record club release. It is the original issue.

Note: I haven't cleaned this 36-year-old record because everybody seems to prefer their own methods. I'll leave the cleaning up to the buyer. Also, I'm not a professional vinyl seller or buyer. It comes from my own collection. Bought at the Record Exchange, Salem VA.

Enjoy the auction -- and good luck!