One of my heroes. Love this album

I've had a long time to think about this - not that I'll provide an eloquent prose for my argument. Wednesday Morning, 3AM - Parsley,Sage, Rosemary & Thyme - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Still Crazy After All These Years - Graceland could easily be Simon's 5th 'best album ever' nomination. It's not fair for one man to have so much talent! Should I mention The Rhythm Of The Saints, You're The One, Surprise, So Beautiful Or So What, Stranger To Stranger? The man could own the whole top ten on that particular list.

Does Graceland hold a special place then, 30 years after its release? You bet it does!

I have the vinyl - a pure-ist..?.? Just a 14-yr old reading messages of politic and anti-apartheid sentiment into the groove. Magnificent history and politics essays written which bore absolutely no relation to what the record actually meant - what it ultimately had to say...

Then it became the basis for my 'A' Level essay which went something like 'Describe the recurring themes in a composer's work and how they develop to provide identity' or something like that. Now I'm sure the examiners were after Grieg or Strauss or the lop-eared Beethoven but what they got from me was Paul Simon's use of rhythm to tell a story and how it evolved from the early days of lift-shaft echo with Simon & Garfunkel to the reversed-bass solo in Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes.

Some say that Simon hears what he likes and then steals it for himself, but we all do that, don't we? What Simon does is add his sparkle. He makes the rhythm tell the story. He does more than augment, he transforms an original thought into a wholly new identity, unrelated to its source.

You only have to listen to the 'original' source tapes on the remastered anniversary edition of this album. They do groove but they don't 'groove'. They don't have meaning. Listen in their completed song and they will talk to you. They become something more, something new.

Close your eyes, crank up the volume, put your head back and listen.

I bet you smile.

No one else does that.

This is one of Paul Symons greatest albums

Fantastic album. Bought the extended version (14 tracks) for £3 in Tesco. No brainer. Shoved it straight onto iTunes.

If Carslberg made albums this would be it

Probably the best album written in the last thirty years bar none

I Had it on cd when it first came out truly wonderful album but then it always has been

I have owned this on Vinyl, tape ( for in car, CD and now ITunes... Quite like it!!!!

One of my favourite albums marred by only short exerpts instead of the full running time.Shame

Nothing quite like it, a resurrection of sorts, after the relative commercial failure of his "Hearts and Bones" album (H&B) It was in my personal opinion a very good album, but the title of one the tracks train in the distance foretold a greater prize in the form of the Graceland album, which contrary to popular opinion has little to do with the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, but nonetheless provides a backdrop to great music, a collaborative masterpiece which clearly defined Paul as a great artist beyond his great partnership with Art Garfunkel. PS had nothing to prove with this album, but even the harshest critics of his debut solo album H&B - I am led to believe where cementing its place in music folklore within days of its release. One reviewer here said its the best album ever. An understatement, I am sure was it not even better than that!!!

Got the original vinyl album but with a twist, a. side label Graceland b. side label George benson !!!

Have the album and saw the concert, timeless.

An incredible album made by so many incredible artists alongside Paul Simon. Happy Memories of listening to my Mum's vinyl copy many years ago. A beautiful album that is best listened to in its entirety. 🌟

Got the original vynal, thank you my wee brother, and onSunday 15th July going to see and hear Paul Simon again. Best album ever.