Graceland
1986
Warner Bros. Records
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.
Recommended by
Who also suggested
- Janis Ian
- Richard Thompson
- Squeeze
- Blues Magoos
- Lou Reed
- Jane Weaver
- Gillian Welch
- Juana Molina
- Leonard Cohen
- Linda Thompson, Richard Thompson