The Story Behind Paul Simon’s Unexpected Masterpiece
Track Star*
10,403 views
Music historian Ashley Kahn and bassist Bakithi Kumalo join Jack on the Track Star Podcast to explore the music, people, and stories behind Paul Simon’s Graceland. Drawing on Kahn’s new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland, the conversation traces the album’s South African roots and the collaborations that helped shape its unmistakable sound.
Bakithi shares his perspective from inside the studio and on the road, recalling his first meeting with Simon, his experience on the Graceland tour, and what it meant to perform alongside South African legends. Together, Ashley and Bakithi bring the album’s history to life through personal memories and the music that connects it all, from the sounds that inspired Graceland to the influence it continues to have today.
This Episode's Track List:
00:00 - Intro
00:13 - Gumboots (with Boyoyo Boys) - Paul Simon
26:33 - The Boy In The Bubble - Paul Simon
37:53 - Graceland - Paul Simon
43:48 - You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
51:23 - Pata Pata - Miriam Makeba
57:24 - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes - Paul Simon
Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQ...
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every week. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-th...
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxo...
20 Comments
And thank you Bakithi & Ashley for this beautiful interview. Can’t wait to read the book and listen to the album….for the 1,000th time!
In ‘86 I graduated with a music degree while the controversy raged over aparthied & Simon’s use of African musicians. Like any sane person I agreed with the sanctions against the corrupt, racist regime, but I couldn’t understand how folks failed to see that this musical collaboration was a force for peace & justice.
Seeing the Graceland tour at Radio City Music Hall in 1987 is on my top 10 live music shows in 55 years of concert going.
No matter the subject actually. I love music. I love introspection, philosophy and whatnot.
But curiosity in anything can be triggered by that combination I guess....
The Story Behind Paul Simon’s Unexpected Masterpiece
Track Star*
10,403 views
Music historian Ashley Kahn and bassist Bakithi Kumalo join Jack on the Track Star Podcast to explore the music, people, and stories behind Paul Simon’s Graceland. Drawing on Kahn’s new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland, the conversation traces the album’s South African roots and the collaborations that helped shape its unmistakable sound.
Bakithi shares his perspective from inside the studio and on the road, recalling his first meeting with Simon, his experience on the Graceland tour, and what it meant to perform alongside South African legends. Together, Ashley and Bakithi bring the album’s history to life through personal memories and the music that connects it all, from the sounds that inspired Graceland to the influence it continues to have today.
This Episode's Track List:
00:00 - Intro
00:13 - Gumboots (with Boyoyo Boys) - Paul Simon
26:33 - The Boy In The Bubble - Paul Simon
37:53 - Graceland - Paul Simon
43:48 - You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
51:23 - Pata Pata - Miriam Makeba
57:24 - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes - Paul Simon
Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQ...
New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every week. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-th...
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxo...