Paul Simon - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes (from The African Concert, 1987) | REACTION/REVIEW

[@Nickel138]

This is one of my favorite bass lines of all time. The legendary Bakithi Kumalo.

[@JDAfrica]

Bakithi was a laborer in a garage before joining Paul Simon … he took a day off and went to audition, hands were still Covered in oil and grease. He arrived via a township taxi (minibus) with his bass and no case or travel case to play on a demo for Paul. He called his employer the next day and said he wasn’t coming back - after getting paid the equivalent of a years wages for an afternoon playing bass on 4 tracks.

[@Nickel138]

@@JDAfrica Wow. That’s an amazing story.

[@jonneil7169]

Paul Simon is the William Shakespeare of musical composition and songwriting, and he sings good too!

[@tomross6652]

Paul found this group Ladysmith Black Mambazo and recorded the Graceland album with them. It went on to win the Grammy award for Album of the Year

[@jeffstevens4262]

...and very well deserved in my opinion. It's a remarkable album from a number of angles. I believe he got into a bit of bother with the South African authorities after this concert because they frowned on white and black musicians performing together which says much about the neanderthal attitudes of the government at the time and their apartheit agenda.

[@TheDivayenta]

@@jeffstevens4262he also got shit on by lefties for going to apartheid SA to meet with artists, Ladysmith Black Mbazo, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. The beauty is he employed all these magnificent artists and toured the world with them bringing the African sound to the world ❤

[@captainsplifford]

@@TheDivayenta As a self-avowed lefty, it always pissed me off that progs gave him so much shit about that. I always shouted, "Don't you see what he's trying to do?!" So many people in the U.S. didn't give a shit about apartheid until Paul Simon drew their attention to it.

[@JamesSwindell-pn7sr]

Thank you, I didn't know that. I consider this one of the best albums ever!

[@jamesnorrisbarrett8927]

Paul Simon's Graceland album ranks as one of the greatest of all time

[@paulprendergast3184]

Saw Paul Simon play this song in 1991 in Central Park with 500,000 of my closest friends 😂

[@ritacheasbro3042]

Paul Simon is a genius. You cannot play his music too much!

[@falcon215]

I remember when Paul Simon debuted this song on SNL with the Ladysmith Black Mambazo group and just blew everyone away. VEry cool to watch.

[@dwhite849]

This is the first concert in South Africa that the audience was mixed race something Simon insisted on

[@kentclark6420]

Sorry to be contrary, but they were banned from South Africa at the time, because of Apartheid. This was in Zimbabwe, 1987.

[@joelliebler5690]

He received much flack for going there because of the apartheid block going on though he was there to break that barrier open!

[@gerhardpotgieter840]

@@kentclark6420 They were banned from competing in the mining hostels at a stage because they won all the competitions.

[@joew717]

I love that he had the choir standing next to him instead of behind him, to perform as equals on stage

[@DanSpengler]

This is my favorite track on Graceland, which in my opinion is one of the few perfect albums ever produced.

[@joelliebler5690]

The amazing Rhymin’ Simon. Brilliance! So much fun I want to dance all night to this!Paul was there partly to break down the barriers of apartheid!

[@melvisroberts3715]

Paul Simon is a musician and loves all music and wanted to experience all cultural sounds and brought it to us for so many years, he is a musician and poet

[@christinawoolley6206]

You cannot listen to this song and not feel a bit lighter! 😽💋🎶

[@gl2700]

Off one of the greatest albums ever made! Great reaction!

[@aerynoftalyn1307]

You can never have too much Paul Simon! A True Great.

[@riffmondo9733]

I bought this cassette for my ol’ man when it came out. He was in his late 40’s then. He wore that tape out! Killer album.

[@nancywest1926]

I taped my album so the groves wouldn't get worn out.

[@JamesSwindell-pn7sr]

Same here. Lol

[@dramaqueen6G]

Paul Simon was at a really low point in his life both personally and professionally. He literally didn't know what he was going to do. A friend called and invited him to come to Africa and meet and play with some of the musicians there. Apartheid was still in place there and he got a huge amount of criticism for going. But that experience was kind of a rebirth for him. The Graceland album that he recorded with those musicians is a magical piece of work. And many of them gained the recognition they deserved. If you haven't listened to the whole Graceland album, I suggest you do.

[@lindasalaki9404]

Wow what a beautiful video. 💜☮️💜

[@lesliedavis2185]

I cannot tell you how much love this. The whole album is just so good. This collaboration was jsut the very best thing. Paul Simon and the leader of the group Joseph Shadabala became great friends.

[@gregorystathos6085]

A true musical genius! We have been lucky to have him.

[@CherylHughes-ts9jz]

Everything Paul is 🔥💃🏽🔥💃🏽🔥💃🏽🔥

[@aspect57]

He also went to rock with south african people when the US was supporting apartheid. The US was wildly on the wrong side (shocker) and he went down to play to play with people and made the best record of the year.

[@fayesouthall6604]

Saw the Graceland tour when it came to the U.K. in 1986. I was 17 and I loved Paul Simon, Simon and Garfunkel too. One of the best shows ever.

[@calipidgious]

This really is one of very few albums I've heard in my life that's nearly perfect. Every song is excellent. Not a single skip track on it. This was freakin' huge when it came out. The world was just entranced.

[@mikecaetano]

Paul Simon was known for blending world music into his pop stylings, going back to "El Condor Pasa" with Simon & Garfunkel. He blended reggae into "Mother and Child Reunion" from 1972, gospel into "Love Me Like a Rock" from 1973, and Cuban jazz into "Late in the Evening" from 1980. This concert was held in Zimbabwe because South Africa was still mired in apartheid and Nelson Mandela was still in prison in 1987. The singers were called Ladysmith Black Mambazo and that was Hugh Masekela on lead trumpet. My mom had a couple of his albums from the sixties. Miriam Makeba also joined the show. She left South Africa in the late fifties to escape apartheid. She had a minor hit with "Mbube" in 1960, which later became better known as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" when The Tokens revisioned it in 1961. Her best known song might be "Pata Pata" from 1967. She was nicknamed Mama Africa and was married to Stokely Carmichael for several years.

[@loisrogers9042]

I've been trying to get people to react to Miriam Makeba, "Pata Pata". I request it from DJs at weddings sometimes, and once I was the only one dancing (& I'm shy abt that!) I wish I could afford to donate so it'd get played.❤

[@mikecaetano]

@@loisrogers9042 Yep, great song. Fay reacted to it last year: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXnZf6J7hrtleLs

[@Davis190]

I've listened to this song probably 700 times in my life, and I only just now watching this video realize 'what he's talking about' is that he's happy to be the diamond on the soles of her shoes, that thing that makes her happy but she takes for granted. So wonderful to even be below her

[@kristahartmann6712]

Graceland is revolutionary and magic almost 40 years later...A Brooklyn white boy who can claim true global cred. Music is such magic.

[@Historian212]

He’s not from Brooklyn. He was born in Newark, NJ and grew up in Queens. He met Art Garfunkel when they were kids in Queens. Maybe you think he’s from Brooklyn because he’s Jewish? (And therefore, some would disagree that he’s white, regardless of skin color.) Not all NY Jews are from Brooklyn.

[@khart1070]

Gee "Historian 212"...How can you forgive me? His family moved from NJ when he was 3. His parents were Jewish...according to many, many, sources...And BTW your racially-tinged assumptions about me ("maybe YOU..." are borderline offensive. Careful about your reckless assumptions...as a "Historian", of course. . I'm born in Brooklyn...& NOT Jewish! I also moved to Queens! STILL NOT JEWISH! D Fagen/Steely Dan/It's a band..... described him as a New York Jewish kid... (his musical contemporary). Relax.

[@lgot123]

Paul Simon went to South Africa & listened to & recorded with a variety of musicians there. Ladysmith Black Mambazo was the group on that record, from his Graceland album

[@infopackrat]

Yes! More Paul Simon! Anything you haven't yet done 😀

[@Clementine2474]

Spectacular is the only word for this whole concert. I rate it up there beside the rooftop concert by the Beatles. Thank you for doing this. You do a great reaction.

[@d.s.6268]

No better song writer than Paul Simon. I think you would love "Late in the Evening".

[@dayna8409]

Great performance. Thanks for sharing.

[@jokervienna6433]

This song and this performance is a diamond itself. It´s a love story and very friendly. I get goosebumps everytime I hear it.

[@brianorzel1873]

I love every song on the Graceland album!

[@jasonmccluskey3623]

Paul was DIFFERENT

[@angelagraves865]

This whole concert is amazing. I highly recommend checking it out. It's not just the Graceland album. Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela also sing, along with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, of course.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

FAB album "Graceland" recorded in S Africa with their musicians.

[@janicez2630]

This song brings back great memories... this whole album is really really good.

[@lindataggart9076]

love this

[@samuellord8576]

Attaboy Biz! A masterpiece from Paul and Ladysmith. Now listen to all of the Graceland album!

[@nicolepisa26]

The Boy In The Bubble is another great one from this show! That who album is amazing.

[@cindyfalstrom7231]

Not only did Paul make an incredble album utilizing the singers, instruments and sounds of S. Africa, but he took much heat for doing it as there was a boycott at the time to protest Apartheid. I love this album so much, it is in regular rotation at my house. Every song on this album is perfect, but a couple more that I love are: Under African Skies Homeless which features the beautiful a cappella singing of the Ladysmith boys

[@ronnix23]

I love Homeless.

[@itzel1735]

@@ronnix23 me too

[@IkeCrow]

The whole concert is absolutely incredible. This is Paul Simon´s The Concert. Featuring, among others, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba (Rip). The atmosphere was in a class of its own, a real concert of peace and love. Blacks and whites enjoyed, listened and danced together. I remember when this concert came on TV in the late 1980s in Finland, and it blew my mind. I had never heard music like this. I learned to love the music that is now called world music.

[@susangirardi3655]

Absolutely everything about this is perfect.

[@melissamckeague]

This tune always makes me happy xx!

[@J_Gamble]

Love. It would be fun to see reaction to more tracks from the Graceland album with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Maybe the song Graceland itself.

[@Penn57]

One of my all time favs!! The entire Graceland album is awesome. So glad you were able to experience this greatness!

[@wanderer0617]

I have loved this song since Graceland came out. I have never seen this live video, wonderful!

[@karenlambert1146]

The whole album is fire! In my top 10! " Graceland" is perfection!

[@knightngail1]

Love that you are checking this out. There's a lot of backstory if you want to look it up some time. It's just a whole vibe 😍

[@Lulabee2024]

Your choices of songs to react to are SO INTERESTING and I love it and appreciate you.

[@joetspaulding]

Paul Simon is gonna keep surprising you bro!

[@jbs256]

Biz, this is a wonderful song from the legendary Graceland album. All songs are fire. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover! And ‘Kodachrome’ from earlier. Toto is a group and yes play Africa!! You go! Joe

[@eileenmaclean4292]

I watched a lengthy documentary on Paul and many African musical artists. They worked together. African music is beautiful.

[@cynergy4]

Love this song and the whole album. Love Paul Simon in general! Imma big fan of world music

[@lindalee5866]

Always makes me happy!

[@bradgrady1752]

Love your reaction. You'll love Miriam Mekeba and Paul ❤

[@garyarnett1220]

You like this check out Peter Gabriel, In Your Eyes live at Secret World

[@dusty4835]

Great harmonies. She's got diamonds on the shores of Peru.

[@pamelalee1508]

I have and love the album from this concert..Graceland... On that album you'll find 'You Can Call Me Al'.. and you'll notice the horns..sax..and percussion are almost the same as this 'Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes'... Paul Simon was our musical genius from the late 60's to the 90's... I have a large collection and yes he was THE Simon in Simon and Garfunkel... Thank you for playing the video all the way through..you might get a strike or a block but it is something you just have to do sometimes..😁...🌿🌿🌿

[@cathylemay2215]

This is the Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel . They had some graet music. We had Graceland on CD and everyone loved it. Kids, our age, oldr people. The video that goes along with Call me Al is funny too. It features him in a conversation with Chevy Chase.

[@HelynnHeels]

🥰👌💖💖💖thanky for answering my request. 💋

[@clifton8929]

Paul has some fantastic songs. STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS is a unique piece worth a listen. Great choice of music, Biz; keep up the great work and witty, insightful commentary. We all love ya out here.

[@fattocatto2124]

one of the baddest bass licks ever put down 😎

[@crowdedcrow3098]

This has long been one of my favorite Simon songs and I wanted to see someone review it. How glad I am I landed on your channel, I subscribed right quick. Well, it was right after I'd been dancing around the kitchen (moving to this music is involuntary, after all... you can't deny it) and returned to my screen to see you 100% moving with it, as well. I'm a fan of anyone willing to share the joy in a joyful sound. Big ❤ Up next: your reviews on Me and Julio and 50 ways To Leave your lover. From the thumbnail for 50 Ways, it looks like you're going to find it as delightful as I do!

[@GinnyRobertsonLLC]

We saw Ladysmith Black Mambazo in concert a number of years ago. What fun!

[@johnathanstruble1064]

In the 80"s there were two artists that brought the music of Africa to the Pop mainstream. Paul Simon, and Peter Gabriel, and we are all...better for it.

[@fayesouthall6604]

100%

[@vickihirsch8340]

This Is from the Album Graceland. The first whole album I bought whe. CD players first came out. It won album of the year at the Grammys. Still one of my all time favorite albums. I would suggest to take listen to the whole album. It is all 🔥. Still play it today except on vinyl now. Great choice!! ❤

[@soozikins]

The fretless bass player is dope.

[@nancywest1926]

Rythm Of The Saints was also a great album, too. There is so much talent from Africa, but might not hit the mainstream. Rich cultures there.

[@AP-gb3eh]

This introduces Lady Black Mambazo to America and they had many successful tours after Simon. There was a kind of African artist emerging in music Salic Kieta was a great African pop artist of the time.

[@peggybrilli2642]

Love your comments. Love your channel. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@watchbizmatik]

Thank you

[@matthechler5718]

Wow! That is alot. Very cool

[@billdomitilli8125]

JOY!

[@janna2245]

South Africa and diamonds...yeah

[@TheDivayenta]

It’s about Carrie Fisher and her Lamboutins.

[@annjohnson994]

The entire Graceland album was amazing!

[@jamesnash6101]

I loved it when Paul did this. Ya.... the music was different, but good.

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

If you want to check out a great mix of African and Western music, try Johnny Clegg and Savuka. They started as a mixed-race band in South Africa at a time when it was still illegal to be so (because of apartheid). Clegg was a strong opponent of the apartheid regime. A song like "Scatterlings of Africa" would be a good one to review.

[@andywalker8064]

Cat on the bass just kills this...

[@pttpforever]

This song reminds me of what the politics of the day were when Paul Simon released his Graceland album and did the concert tour with these fantastic South African musicians. After years of deprivation, imprisonment and blood shed Apartheid ended! And part of the reason for that is that album and that tour!

[@rockyroad7345]

I'm not a huge fan of Simon's solo work, but this album is a juggernaut. Groundbreaking and full of amazing rhythms and songs. Peter Gabriel (of Genesis) was an early musician who incorporated global rhythms into his work. He has some amazing stuff.

[@user-gu7kk5zk2b]

Toto was the name of a group. Africa is a great song!

[@TheDivayenta]

Biz- if you love the African sound in pop music- please watch the live performance of In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel and many great African artists. From the Secret World Tour. It’s incredibly spiritual and moving! ❤

[@lorispiro-pioggia4289]

A great song is they call me Al…it’s terrific

[@mamaflush9945]

Hey Biz, I wonder if you'd like to check out another song by an artist, I believe you've reacted to once or twice before and seemed to enjoy his tunes, if interested, "James Taylor - Shower The People (Live at the Beacon Theatre)" (by the channel: James Taylor) Taylor can play some beautiful folk music.

[@simchabaruch7023]

Welcome to the world.

[@CdnTrader1]

Ladysmith Black Mombazo is a helluva show to see in its own regard.

[@JB-Deadskins]

lol Djery, Toto is a band, not a guy.😂

[@sst3d]

I’d suggest …Peter Gabriel “in your eyes “ live Very different style but… check it out

[@LoveTheVideo]

🔥🔥🔥

[@gandalfshakur8235]

The Graceland album is of the most musically redeeming and compelling albums of the 1980s. While bringing the African sound into Americana is nothing new (hello, Disney??), another style Paul formatted was the popular reggae style that followed "Mother & Child Reunion" - both my fave Paul Simon tune and fave reggae tune together a year or so before Bob Marley hit the big time.

[@olgawindler9506]

Why don't a lot of people know Africa is a continent? That's nuts. Doesn't everyone know that Africa has great music? I guess I forget how ignorant people are. Sad man.

[@kenneththomson3123]

Have a listen to Johnny Clegg if you get the chance

[@nigelwitgunn3406]

Africa's musical culture is very, very deep indeed mate. King Sunny Adé's Juju Jubalee is locked into memory thank you very much. However, music knows no culture, because it invelopes all cultures. We need to learn from this fact.