Paul Simon, South Africa, and Graceland. Do you think he did that because of or despite the issues in South Africa during that time ?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 23:29:26 -0500

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 6 at 2015 11:37 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 23:37:38 -0500

Well Paul Simon seemed to be socially conscious and blended his songs with some humor SGT Private RallyPoint Member. I do not think he would have intentionally exploited the situation in South Africa.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 12:38 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 12:38:30 -0500

Because of. And "Graceland" is his finest solo album. I was also thrilled when he teamed up with Ladysmith Black Mombazo, a group I had followed for years prior and still love greatly.

Let me add: Paul was not ignorant of the life and death struggles nor all political issues in SA. But at the time of his Concert, and others during Apartheid, he had to "sing" a very fine line to keep from "upsetting the political apple cart." I don't think he was in real danger, but he had to watch his "Ps and Qs." He did so, and the result became his finest concert ever, IMHO. But I am, and have been, a Simon and Garfunkel devotee since the mid-Twentieth Century!!!!!!!!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 7:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:40:49 -0500

I liked his Graceland album.

Response by SSgt Mark Lines made Feb 19 at 2016 1:03 AM

SSgt Mark Lines — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 01:03:25 -0500

Graceland it one of my favorite albums, not only for the music, but how Paul Simon handled the criticism of the album. I think he recorded it to bring not only South African Township music, but the inequities of the Apartheid system further into the world's consciousness. At the time (1986), the ANC (African National Congress), the UN, and others claimed he violated the "Cultural Boycott" of South Africa by making this album. As a result, the ANC banned him from South Africa and the UN added him to their "Blacklist". Paul Simon responded to these criticisms saying, "I'm with the artists. I didn't ask the permission of the ANC. I didn't ask permission of Buthelezi, or Desmond Tutu, or the Pretoria government. And to tell you the truth, I have a feeling that when there are radical transfers of power on either the left or the right, the artists always get screwed."

It takes a strong man to go against that kind of criticism to do what he feels it right.