Graceland cover

Graceland

Released

One of the most perfect albums in pop music history is also one of the oddest. Using a variety of guest musicians including several South African mbaqanga players, a pennywhistler, some zydeco guys, and the members of Los Lobos, Paul Simon created a kaleidoscopically globetrotting collection of songs filled with indelible hooks (“You Can Call Me Al,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”). Ladysmith Black Mambazo appear on a couple of songs, which springboarded them to international fame.

Rick Anderson

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