Musea Art Review #23 "Graceland"
TomHendricks474
Title: "Graceland"
What is it? Cassette of 11 songs by Paul Simon from 1986
Technical Quality: Cover art average. Recording quality
is very high.
Innovative Quality: Very high marks from not only its
arrangements - a mixof South African sounds and US
rock, but its innovative music and smart lyrics.
Review: This somewhat overlooked 1986 album broke real
creative ground and it deserves a 2nd look.
Paul Simon is one of rock and rolls best singer/songwriters
and this is perhaps the most musically innovative recording
of his long career. Here's some reasons why:
A. This original album could be ternmed a greatest hits album
with every song worthy of single status. That includes
1."The Boy in the Bubble" with its surreal folk lyric feel -
"These are the days of micracles and wonder." 2. "Graceland"
pilgrammage to Elvis's home as metaphor for a bigger quest.
3. "I Know What I Know" Each verse is a story with its
chorus moral of"Who am I to blow against the wind."
4."Gumboots" , love song for a senorita "You don't feel you
could love me, but I feel yo could. 5."Diamonds on the Soles of
her Shoes" Love song of poor boy and rich girl. 6."You Can Call
Me Al." Middle aged angst. 7,"Under African Skies" with the
line, "These are the roots of rhythm.' 8."Homeless" a choral
chant or lament.9. "Crazy Love" lilting lost-love song. 10."That was
your mother" A zydeco party and dance song. 11. "All Around The
World" with the lyric line "I've seen them all and they're all
the same'.
B. There is a hybrid of South African rhythms and musicians
with Simon's pop song's skill. The African rhythms , singing,
and more relaxed arrangements, bring a liveliness and freshness
to Simon's work. The rhythms alone are spectacular in their
variety and complexity - something seldom seen in rock.
And Simon brings intellectual depth to the mix with his
song writing skills and sophisticated lyrics. And speaking of
lyrics , here's a sample of how Simon has taken lyrics from
love songs to new heights of surprise and fun: "The Mississippi
Delta was shining /Like a National guitar/ I am following the
river/Down the highway/ Through the cradle of the civil war."
C. Great army of musicians featured, that include: Ladysmith
Black Mambazo - lead and background vocals, Bathiti
Khumalo - bass player , even the Everly Brothers!
D. Simon has introduced a mature songwriting style that
breaks new ground. No longer is there a 3 minute song with
a clear verse - chorus, verse - chorus, bridge then repeat.
Instead Simon has a loose seemingly improvised melody
line that is interrupted by a chorus now and then. It's
unpredictable and sounds so fresh that you think he's making
it up there and then. For example you can listen to Graceland
10 times and not capture and repeat the verse line.
This new style of writing a 3 minute song allows
for great artitstic freedom, deepens feeling and
intrigued me with its complexity.( And I'm
a songwriter of over 40 years!). This may well be where
songwriting will head in the future - though as of now - almost
two decades later - few if any songwriters have acknowledged
this new style, let alone copied it.
E. The album is not a collection of singles. It hangs together
well as if it were a concept album and should be considered
as one of the best of that genre.
As good as this album is, there are certain problems that keep
it short of perfect: Paul's voice though soulful, is somewhat
limited in its range and technical quality and the lyrics are
sometimes too surreal to be clearly understood.
Altogether a musically ground breaking album with all notable
songs, by a top rock composer, with a great cast behind it
Contact Info: Paul Simon, Warner Brothers Records
Overall Grade 8.5 out of 10.0
Editor's Choice mini Reviews: PBS infomercials and excessive
ads in between PBS shows, have gotten out of hand. The excessive
commercialism goes against the reasons for having public broadcasting
in the first place. Funding is tough for sure, but infomercials and
longer and longer ad blocks are not the answer.
Overall grade 2.0 out of 10.0
Grading system: 9-10 Highest grade - Life's work of a master (ex. Collected
plays of Shakespeare, collected symphonies of Beethoven) 8-9 Single best work
of a celebrated master's career. 7-8. Best work of an era or genre or decade.
6-7 Best work of the year. 5-6 Very good. 4-5 More good than bad. 3-4 Average
amount of good = amount of bad. 2-3 Mostly bad with some redeeming parts. 1-2
Nothing redeemable. 0-1 So bad it is offensively bad and outrages the reviewere
for taking up that time in his life - just awful.
Musea guarantees a review for all art work in any conceivable field
IF you follow the rules posted on alt.zines or see our website or
e-mail me.
Tom Hendricks tomhend...@cs.com
http://musea.digitalchainsaw.com
Vlorbik
what tom thinks the world
should replace "bands" with: armies.
i should have thought those were
even older-hat, but i gave up
trying to figure everything out
a long time ago . . . .
/*
C. Great army of musicians featured, that include: Ladysmith
Black Mambazo - lead and background vocals, Bathiti
Khumalo - bass player , even the Everly Brothers!
http://members.aol.com/vlorbik/
TomHendricks474
what tom thinks the world
should replace "bands" with >>
All you have to do is ask
Tom thinks the world should replace 'bands' with
ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!
How dull and repetitive do you have to get before you want something fresh?
40 years of sameness not enough for you?
I'll reprint my band letter for you to send out.
Tom Hendricks, Musea zine ed.
http://musea.digitalchainsaw.com"
Musea GUARANTEES every musician, painter, writer, etc.
a REVIEW - a tough review - a fair review.
Contact me for our policy. Samples:
http://musea.digitalchainsaw.com/reviews1.html
Dan
> 40 years of sameness not enough for you?
40 years ago there was never a band like Nausea or Discharge. There wasn't
anything like modern day hip hop. The was long before punk, hardcore,
metal, electronica... music has moved on, it's you that haven't. -dan
TomHendricks474
anything like modern day hip hop. The was long before punk, hardcore,
metal, electronica... music has moved on, it's you that haven't. -dan >>
Yeah - Mozarts everyone.
If you think these are any good, send them in for review.
Every band SAYS they're the best -
yet challenge them with a FAIR review and they run for the hills.
Put up or shut up.
Dan
the same regurgitation for 40 years, these bands and genres are obvious
proof to the contrary. I could care less if you think they are good or
not, I can't value you your opinion on music at given what you've said
about it. -dan