I loved watching all the "Classic Album" episodes even for albums and artists I didn't particularly like much because the devil in the detail gives such a unique insight and new found respect.
Although aware of the album and a few of its best tracks, Graceland wasn't something I fully appreciated until watching this episode when it first aired on VH1 I think it was. At the time I was in my late teens and had not long since discovered a love for African music having performed with the original production of "Yanomamo" a few years earlier.
I loved how Paul Simon speaks and talks us through each track pointing out what he loves, what little things he threw in that are barely noticeable until he isolates parts of the track and removes others then explains what he used to create specific sounds that make you go "Ooooooh yeah!!!"
I loved hearing how initially things felt strained because as musicians that performed adhoc in the streets of South Africa they weren't used to a recording studio environment and the pressure they felt and put themselves under made it difficult for them to loosen up enough and just do what they did. Paul Simon recognised this, eased off any / all pressure and just encouraged them to do their thing and go home / record themselves away from the studio however they would normally play and feel most comfortable then bring it back the day or so later ad they'd see what they could do.
The results were amazing which is often the case when you ease off and stop trying too hard including Paul's bafflement at hearing what he thought was background noise during one part. Turned out to the deep bass vocal sounds as heard by Lady Blacksmith in "Homeless" that made me go "Ooooh my God yeah!!" because alone and done just by Joseph makes you appreciate the depth of it and that sound coming from the toes up it's incredible.
Paul at the mixing desk playing through tracks and picking out his favourite parts, lyrics and isolating specific instruments to highlight what sound he liked and chose to place subtly makes you hear the whole thing in a different light because without the isolation you really wouldn't notice it at all.
There's a tinge of sadness for me in seeing his regret at the only line on the entire album he would do differently (literally one line in "Graceland") and you get the sense that although his greatest work and he knows it, he still felt like if only he'd changed that one line... I almost leaned in wanting to go "What are you nuts? One line that ONE LINE bugs you???!"
I love listening to Paul Simon though and imagine how good it would be to just kick back and have a few beers in the pub just listening to him talk.
The music on the album is superb anyway but for me, this episode gives an entirely new edge to it, makes you appreciate it all over again but with greater depth.
You get the impression the political outrage and controversy was everywhere BUT amongst this group of musicians that were coming together and playing together escaping what was going on outside in the real world.
This is one for musicians and lovers of the devil in detail and I almost envy anyone who has yet to see and discover this gem for the first time.
Enjoy!
