Graceland 40 Years Later

Guest blogger Richard sent me his review of the recent Graceland tribute concert, which makes for an intriguing read. 

But before we dive into his story, let's go back to the original album Paul Simon released in 1986.

I remember buying a Peacock bootleg cassette version here in Bangkok soon afterwards and playing it a lot. For me it just came at the right time as I was just getting really interested in 'world' music (I know, a rather hopeless term, but at the time it included a lot of African music).

Graceland's mix of multiple genres, including pop, rock, a cappella, zydeco, and South African styles such as isicathamiya and mbaqanga, was an eye(ear?)-opener for many, but not without controversy due to the cultural boycott on South Africa imposed for its policy of apartheid. And of course some accused him of appropriating the music of another culture...

I still believe that the African musicians who contributed to Graceland were glad for the exposure to the Western world; at least I haven't heard or read about any complaints from them. The only exception I remember was a fallout with Los Lobos over credit and payment.

No matter how you look at it, Graceland remains a classic album.

Enough from me, here's Richard's review:

This is the video I found of the Tribute to 40 years of Graceland, the widely acclaimed album by Paul Simon.

I share the complete program, the uncut video, to give everybody a chance to make up their own minds. If you prefer to watch first and read my opinion later, please DO.

In the light of tributes here and there, a lot can be said about the do’s and don’ts of covering.

On the JON-KY blog, Stinky laid down some fine lines about "reupholstering," and even when I am of a nature to firmly not and never to obey rules, I have to admit that his six categories of covering songs stand firm.

Now here we have Graceland as presented by the BBC as part of the 2026 Proms series, a tribute to Graceland, Under African Skies.

It has been announced with aplomb that Paul Simon's Graceland would be celebrated on the highest national level, bringing in the big ones.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Laura Mvula, James Bay and The Nu Civilisation Orchestra under Peter Edwards, Live at The Royal Albert Hall.

When I listen to the audience at the end of the show, I wonder if they have seen the same concert as I have.

I don't think hardly any of the members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo who performed on Graceland in 1986 were there in this 2026 tribute.

Now I have to be careful with my wording. For me it was like putting a golden ring on a monkey and saying how pretty it is.

The golden ring being Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the totality of the show being the monkey.

The singer James Bay seemed totally out of sync with the music. No emotion, no fun, presenting only himself as the great guy who managed to do this.

The singer Laura Mvula also seemed to be trying to make herself the focus point, adding nothing to the harmony of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, maybe even distracting.

The orchestra made no attempt to swing, and worse, it gave every song a superfluous solo, and in each case a different member of the orchestra, as if contractual obligations were most important.

The arrangement of the original was loose, and sounded like a South African band, jamming with Paul Simon.

This tribute showed a British arrangement, making it probably superior to the African ones.

For me, it took away the soul and spirit, the lightheartedness and pleasure of South African music

Never was there any coherence, no blending, no magic, as if they did not rehearse together.

I invite everybody to exchange their views on the program, whether you agree or not.