PAUL SIMON Under African skies REACTION - This is music for mother nature..Absolutely stunning!

[@brucer2152]

This album is Paul Simon's magnum opus....EVERY song is perfect.

[@mwflanagan1]

The entire Graceland album, from which this song comes, is worth a listen. It will transform you. Thanks, Harri.

[@juliewhite7469]

💯%❤😊 Every song 💖

[@joannparker1977]

It's a masterpiece

[@sourisvoleur4854]

The Joseph he mentions is Joseph Shabalala, former lead singer of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. If you want to hear the African sound, try "Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes" or "Homeless" from the same album.

[@juliewhite7469]

I never knew that, thank you for the information. "Homeless " is one of my all-time favorite songs. Absolutely incredible ❤😊

[@williamthelast1]

That Lp is the Paul Simon's masterpiece !!! And he done much masterpiece. Beautiful Linda Rondstadt voice !! And the musicians you're right !! Perfection ....❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheLiteraryGroupie]

So happy to hear the brilliant songs from the GRACELAND album again. I remember when it came out in the 80s and how much flack Paul Simon got from mostly Black Americans who accused him of co-opting African music and culture. Appreciate how much you appreciate this fine music that has introduced outstanding African musicians to a global audience because of this album which transcended beyond all the criticism. It's still brilliant after all these years. Thank you, Hari.

[@batmanforpresident9655]

Paul Simon is among only a handful of songwriters who could be mentioned in the same breath with Bob Dylan. He once again broke new ground with his 1986 masterpiece, "Graceland", which introduced the world to stunningly beautiful African rhythms and harmonies. This is one of the album's best tracks, along with the title song, "Boy In The Bubble", "I Know What I Know", Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes".

[@juliewhite7469]

And "Homeless " with Ladysmith Black Mambaso ❤😊❤

[@darrenbrownmusic2772]

Every song on the album is a work of art.

[@JD_Cool]

Oh, that stunning harmony between Linda and Paul. His charming, vulnerable voice is criminally underrated because of his years with Garfunkel, whose vocals were so traditionally pretty.

[@meh8982]

Garfunkel certainly had a gorgeous voice, but I love Simon's just as much. It is absolutely perfect for his music - intelligent, thoughtful, almost conversational, and gently beautiful. And that lovely high register!

[@JB-Deadskins]

Diamonds on the Soles of his Shoes (and in your ears, Harri)

[@clint6872]

Beautiful choice Debbie,thanks to you and Harri.

[@debbiechang5781]

🥰💐🌸

[@lgeyser1]

What a beautiful song. Their voices are perfect together, like angels singing news of eternity. Thanks Debbie, thanks Harri.

[@debbiechang5781]

🥰

[@deborahpaley21]

I haven't listened to this masterpiece in years. Paul Simon is such a genius.

[@iandowney4630]

This song is a work of art. Each time I listen to it I hear something I hadn’t before… Paul Simon is, imo, one of the greatest songwriters of my lifetime- and this is as good of an example as you can find. The harmonies are so beautiful it’s scary. The band is top tier. I think it’s Simon at his best. Thanks for requesting this fabulous song, and for the insightful reaction !

[@debbiechang5781]

Thanks Harri. Paul Simon never disappoints! I love his reference to the child from Tuscon, Arizona (where Linda was born and raised) and the wings of her harmony. It makes me wonder if he had Linda in mind when he wrote the song. Just another masterpiece from the prolific mind of the musical genius of Paul Simon. 🌺✌️

[@agnetesorensenelbom5085]

❤👍🥰🙏😇

[@meh8982]

That verse was definitely about her, just as in his live 1987 concert there was a different version of the verse, about Miriam Makeba who sang with him.

[@meni8015]

Beautiful! One of my favourite songs. Paul and Linda sound great together. Thanks Harri and Debbie ❤

[@davebzen795]

Debbie - i am just now getting current with this week's submissions. I went right to this Paul Simon and his "Under African Skies" as my first selection. This is a sterling submission from his Graceland album and concert. Harri, thanks for pointing out that Linda Ronstadt performed on this track. I never picked up on that until now. Bravo Debbie and Harri.

[@razorfett147]

I will echo the sentiments of many others here: give the entire Graceland album a listen. It only gets better from here. It does not disappoint and IMO is a must listen for any music fan

[@thecynic9232]

This album was one of the few in the ‘80’s that was worth listening to again and again. Paul Simon is a genius. ❤️🇨🇦

[@RoadDoug]

I think this is his greatest work. I bought this Cassette when it first came out and I just couldn’t stop playing it.

[@brianorzel1873]

I've been listening to this song from the time it came out in the 80's, and I have no idea how I missed that Linda was singing on this track!

[@anneschreck5136]

Great pick Debbie and thanks Harri. I love Paul Simon, especially Graceland.

[@debbiechang5781]

Thanks 💐🌸🌼

[@Cynthia...]

This was such a wonderful album and I played it to death. Thank you Debbie and great reaction Harri.

[@juliewhite7469]

❤😊❤

[@agnetesorensenelbom5085]

❤👍🤩🌼

[@debbiechang5781]

You’re welcome 💐🌸🌼

[@christinestromberg4057]

I bought the Graceland album many years ago and love everything on it. And there is a video of the outdoor concert in South Africa. It's brilliant.

[@pennynolan7597]

Fabulous album!

[@lynlucas5573]

Paul is such a poet and composer he is not afraid to work with different rhythms instruments or other musical influences.. U really need to listen to WRISTBAND ..great percussion with a little horns and a social comment too...Harri I promise u will love it!!!❤ and he is 80!!!!!

[@thecynic9232]

We got to see Paul Simon on his Rhythm of the Saints tour. We were in the 4th row centre. It was one of the highlights of my life. The song Born at the Right Time brought tears to my eyes. ❤️🇨🇦

[@Eddie-ol9cv]

Keep up the outstanding work my friend 👍

[@censorshipsucks9493]

This is my favorite song off of Graceland because Linda Rondstadt's haunting backing vocals completes it, and gives me shivers .

[@jebh5203]

What a masterpiece that album is, I remember the week it was released within 48 hours I think I had the lyrics memorized. Gosh it was all about South Africa at that time, protests at university and Graceland are forever entwined in my heart.❤🇨🇦

[@meljaeccles3829]

Hi Harry ,Paul is singing about Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo fame. Their music inspired him. RIP Joseph ,the music lives on ❤

[@juliewhite7469]

I wore out this tape back in the day 😊Wonderful pick ❤ Thank you so much for this❤😊❤

[@classicrocklady6288]

The man is truly a genius!

[@tootz1950]

There is a video about the making of Graceland and the concert he did in South Africa. It's excellent.

[@cshubs]

I highly recommend Ladysmith Black Mambazo. They're the backup singers on some of the songs on Graceland. They're a world-class vocal group.

[@juliewhite7469]

Yesss!!!!! Harri your audience will LOVE them ❤😊❤

[@rubyswaim1441]

I saw them on tour and it was one of the best concerts I ever saw.

[@gustonzimasheen]

This is one of my fav songs from the Graceland album. Linda Ronstadt is just an absolutely amazing vocalist and really enhances the song imo.

[@minxiv7]

I’m such a fan of this whole album ❤

[@ljc_ca]

You should also check out the live video where he sings this with Miriam Makeba at the Graceland concert in Zimbabwe. The video of the whole concert is absolutely fantastic, just beyond words.

[@juliewhite7469]

💯%❤😊

[@juliewhite7469]

Please react to "Homeless" by Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambaso. Amazing ❤😊❤

[@hectorsmommy1717]

Joseph is a reference to Joseph Shabalala, the founder of Ladysmith Black Mombazo. That is the vocal group you hear on several songs on Graceland, especially Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

One of my favorite tracks on "Graceland"

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

Harri - your comment at end, there is a documentary or two about the making of "Graceland", and live concert film from that tour. When the album had its, 20th anniversary, the CD was remastered, and it was paired with a documentary, in a card-book set. Likely can find documentary and "live" online, somewhere. 🤔

[@jeffmartin1026]

His later LP. Surprise, is also a masterpiece.

[@dalemcmillan7231]

Awesome!!!❤

[@ljc_ca]

I believe the Joseph in the song is based on the late great Joseph Shabalala, the leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo whom Paul Simon collaborated with on this album.

[@gustonzimasheen]

4:14: Is funny you should say this, but when I travelled all through Vietnam for a couple of months all I had was a walkman and a couple of Paul Simon cassettes, The Best of double album and Graceland. And I got to go on the Reunification Express train journey that took 8 hours from North to South. So listening to "Under African Skies" was definitely a part of that journey.

[@dwhite849]

This album has been on my playlist before there was such a thing

[@RichardWilliamsowdrick]

Brilliant track, album, and the original live concert was incredible. Linda Ronstadt is an amazing singer; it is sad however, the original backing vocals by Miriam Makeba weren't used.

[@joannparker1977]

The song is a masterpiece. The entire album is a masterpiece. Every song. The African is unforgettable. I might be wrong, but I think Ladysmith Black Mambazo was involved in the album.

[@hectorsmommy1717]

This album was my introduction to Township Jive. At the time South Africa was under sanctions so there wasn't a lot of it available in the US but I listened to as much as I could. After the sanctions were lifted I went to town and picked up more when I visited SA in 2016

[@usansaienpai]

If you're interested about the making of this song there's a fantastic documentary about the making of Graceland called..... Under African Skies. Paul Simon goes back to South Africa to do a reunion gig with the original band, and they interview all the musicians, about the music, the controversy, the lot. It's great. Highly recommend.

[@jolenewitzel7919]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@BrixtonTone]

Great album ! More African beats please Harri, check out Johnny Clegg & Savuka "Too Early for the Sky" and Zulu legend Busi Mholongo "Yapheli'mali Yami (My Money is Gone) "

[@bethcrumpton476]

I think he wrote that second verse specifically for her to sing.

[@debbiechang5781]

I got the same impression. Too many specifics to be coincidental 🌸💐

[@grahamspalding5733]

Paul Simon went to South Africa to record Graceland after hearing Juluka's [Johnny Clegg] Scatterlings of Africa. Johnny Clegg formed a second group called Savuka His life and songs are worth checking out, especially African Sky Blue, Asimbonanga and The Crossing

[@johnlong9534]

Grammy time.

[@rubyswaim1441]

All the band is from South Africa.

[@ptrlxc]

The musicians Paul had on this album would be jamming for a while and then Paul would build his song and lyrics on top of that South African sound; Paul would find something interesting to listen to and he'd have them lay down a track and took that track back to New York to mix and master, adding lyrics in. There is a movie documentary about the making of Graceland, including all the controversy that surrounded using South African musicians during Apartheid and the South African boycott for talented artists; all the famous bands choose not to go to South Africa when there's an Apartheid going on.

[@HarriBestReactions]

But if thats the case,why dont they get co writing credits? That sound is definitely not his,i think it should have been a co credit. Just reading your comment over again and noticed you said there was a documentary about the making of Graceland. So if this was really how the songs were written,those musicians have been cheated of millions of royalties collectively.They wrote those songs together and should have gotten co- writing credits

[@clint6872]

Excellent question Harri. ​@HarriBestReactions

[@thomassharmer7127]

According to Wikipedia: Though musicians in Johannesburg were typically paid $15 an hour, Simon arranged to pay them $200 an hour, around triple the rate for top players in New York City.[4] Simon said he "wanted to be as above board as I could possibly be", as many of the musicians did not know who he was and would not be lured by the promise of royalties alone. He also offered royalties to those he felt had contributed to composing songs.[7]

[@HarriBestReactions]

@@thomassharmer7127 If thats the case,hebhas done very well.This is why i was surprised that he wouldnt have credited the deserving musicians,cos Simon seems like a fair guy. Very happy to have had my faith restored

[@sarahm.5356]

​@HarriBestReactions True Harri, and you're not the first person to ask that question.

[@amileoj9043]

Wonderful reaction to a wonderful tune. I couldn't agree more. A delight from start to finish. I'm pretty sure the "Joseph" is intended by Simon to be both--the biblical figure(s) (from both Old and New Testaments) as well as an homage to Joseph Shabalala, leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who co-wrote & performed some of the tunes on the album.

[@juliewhite7469]

Please react to Paul Simon's "Obvious Child " ❤😊

[@reneevernooij7015]

The whole album "Graceland" is a masterpiece. Once in a few years there's a release that's nearly perfect. This is one of them. All the songs are beautiful and special and the album floats (as you also mentioned, Harry) with nature. I can also recommend the documentary : "Paul Simon's Graceland Journey: under African Skies", about the creation of the album. I'd also like to recommend "Home" of "The Umoza Music Project" with Paul McCartney on bass. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaeXdY2PpK2lnJI

[@c.k.8412]

I used to tell people if you can listen to this album and not want to dance, there is no hope for you.

[@fenster666]

If you want to know more about the bassist from this album, you can watch this short documentary about him from the channel Scotts Bass Lessons. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKapo5dois5jrKc&ab_channel=Scott%27sBassLessons