From the left -- CD, CD/DVD Set, Collector's Edition Box Set (Amazon Exclusive), Vinyl, Blu-ray:

     

I've always felt this was one of the most over rated rock albums ever.

Simon(for better or worse) goes where his muse leads him, whether or not the result is musically or commercially successful, though obviously "Graceland" was a huge commercial success. Simon may have found a largely new audience with "Graceland", after "Hearts & Bones" was a dismal commercial failure(Reportedly 100,000 copies sold, after Simon erased Garfunkel from the tapes). Simon once defiantly said, "I know that his(Garfunkel's) voice makes my music more acceptable to some, but personally, I don't care". Simon is undoubtedly aware of what the fans want(an album of nice, tuneful folk-rock songs with high harmonies by Art Garfunkel) but he refuses to give it. Simon also says "The old melodic ways are passe"

For Me S&G were always much greater as a whole than either was separately.

Damn, I saw the original Graceland tour at Radio City--can it really be 25 years ago?

After going through his catalog numerous times recently, I can confirm that this album holds up after 25+ years. It's one of those rare times when commercial, critical & artistic success all occur at the same time. I can understand why some people don't think it's great, but the songs on Graceland are so strong that the album would still work if it was just a collection of solo Paul Simon demos. I think it's his most consistent set of songs since Bridge Over Troubled Water. Looking forward to finding out what's on the deluxe & super deluxe editions.

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes is a top 5 Simon song for me. And overall I like the album. I really like that he did something so different - especially in the mid 80s where had he done a traditional pop album it would have a very dated (likely) over produced crappy sound.

Instead he made an album that is largely not dated (only in the sense of the hit and video and people remembering it from then)

I can never forget going into my local music store when this came out and being told by the owner (yes this was in the days when people still bought albums from local, family-run, brick-and-mortar record stores) that they had simultaneously received both the LP and CD of Graceland that day. And that, at least for them, this was a first.

I think Graceland is an absolute masterpiece. Any speculation on what will comprise the box set?


FWIW, I listen to Simon's solo catalog a lot more than I listen to his work with Garfunkel.

I'm with Jim. I listen to his solo output more than S&G.

I like his solo work a lot. "Paul Simon" and "Graceland" still stand up wonderuflly to my ears.

He turns 70 today:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter ... 69444.html

I never knew Garfunkel was going to be on "Hearts & Bones"... that's always been my favorite Paul Simon album, just because I like every song but one.

The funny thing is "Hearts and Bones" was ALWAYS a Paul Simon solo LP. Artie started to participate long after it was recorded and Paul was unhappy with the results as he felt the songs were so personal to him.

I went to a "Graceland Tour" show at RCMH with my then girlfriend and now wife too. She got the tickets from the public relations firm she worked for at the time. They were in the 5th row center, the closest I have ever sat in RCMH. I remember being pretty impressed with all the talent Simon had brought on tour with him. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Maskela and Miriam Makeba all took center stage at some point of the show. I also remember an older couple sitting next to us grumbling when Simon asked the audience to stand for the South African National Anthem. Definately one of the more memorable shows I have seen.

This is an album worthy of a 5.1 mix.

I consider myself a big Paul Simon fan, but only starting at Graceland. He practically became a whole different artist, with everything except for Capeman and his latest work being pure gold to my ears. Although none of his stuff that I've heard is bad in the least.

Looking forward to what the reissue has in store.

From the seconddisc.com (this is due June 5):


Graceland 25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Box Set (2-CD/2-DVD) – This Amazon-exclusive 2-CD/2-DVD set includes the remastered original album on its first disc, and a second disc containing six bonus tracks including the audio narrative The Story of Graceland as narrated by Simon. (Yes, all of the bonus tracks contained on the previous Rhino and Legacy editions have been retained.) Across two DVDs, you’ll find the Under African Skies documentary film with extended interviews, the original 1987 African Concert from Zimbabwe, three vintage music videos and Simon’s Saturday Night Live performance of “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.” The box set also boasts replicas of an original Graceland poster and handwritten lyrics pad, plus an 80-page book filled with photos and interviews with the artist.

Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition CD/DVD – This CD/DVD set includes the remastered original album with five bonus tracks and the audio documentary on the CD, and the Under African Skies film on the DVD plus bonus features, three original music videos and Saturday Night Live performance of “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.”

Under African Skies Blu-ray Disc – Here’s Joe Berlinger’s documentary in the resolution only Blu-Ray can deliver, plus 5.1 audio and bonus features.

Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Vinyl – This audiophile edition is remastered on 180-gram 12″ vinyl and includes a Graceland poster and a download card with the full album plus three bonus tracks. It will first become available beginning Saturday, April 21 via independent retailers participating in the Record Store Day festivities.

Ultra-deluxe Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Box Set package – This “ultimate Graceland set” includes the boxed set, the 180-gram 12″ vinyl and a signed and numbered autographed commemorative poster. It will be exclusively offered through PaulSimon.com.

All titles arrive from Legacy Recordings on June 5 with the exception of the vinyl which drops on April 21.

Paul Simon, Graceland: 25th Anniversary Edition Box Set (Legacy Recordings, 2012)

CD 1: The Original Album (available on all editions)
1.The Boy in the Bubble
2.Graceland
3.I Know What I Know
4.Gumboots
5.Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
6.You Can Call Me Al
7.Under African Skies
8.Homeless
9.Crazy Love, Vol. II
10.That Was Your Mother
11.All Around the World, Or the Myth of Fingerprints

CD 2: Bonus Material (these tracks also available on CD/DVD set)
1.Homeless (Demo)
2.Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Alternate Version)
3.All Around the World, or the Myth of Fingerprints (Early Version)
4.You Can Call Me Al (Demo)
5.Crazy Love (Demo)
6.The Story of Graceland as told by Paul Simon

DVD 1

Tracks will include:
1.Gumboots/Whispering Bells
2.Crazy Love I & II
3.I Know What I Know
4.Homeless
5.Graceland

DVD 2
1.Under African Skies (documentary film)

Thanks, Pete. Pre-order links are now live and can be found in the first post, including the Amazon exclusive box set.

No problem-I think there was a double post-sorry!

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