Cheap Paul Simon - Graceland (The African Concert) (DVD) (Paul Simon) Price

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Customer Reviews of Paul Simon - Graceland (The African Concert)

This video is well worth owning. I watch it often, and enjoy it every time. I have noticed comments regarding poor sound quality in other reviews. Personally, I did not find that to be a problem in the overall quality of this film; after all, this concert took place in South Africa, not Central Park.

Watching Paul's performance during this concert, it was hard to believe that he was at a very low point in his career at the time. Performances by all other artists involved were equally good, and the obvious respect between Paul Simon and the South African artists--particularly Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo--was moving.

I also enjoyed seeing footage of South Africa at various points in the film. I felt it added to the "being there" feeling of the film itself. The singing of the National Anthem of South Africa at the end of the concert was a perfect ending.

I would recommend this to all world music fans, not just Paul Simon fans.

great music under adverse conditions
First of all, the songs and musicianship are all excellent, as one would expect, and that's the most important thing. Yes, the bass needs a little boosting which can be done through any stereo...this seems to be a common DVD problem, not just this video. But let's remember the situation. In 1987, Apartheid was brutally oppressing South African blacks, as it had for many many years, with no sign of how long it would continue. Nelson Mandela was in prison where he had been for over 20 years. There was an international embargo, which Paul Simon had braved and taken some heat for daring to work with South African musicians. This concert featured exiled South Africans Hugh Masekala and Miriam Makeba performing in Zimbabwae on the border of South Africa. The situation was charged and tense, and it took strong moral courage and talent for Paul Simon to bring it all together, put himself under pressure and under criticism and perform these moving and brilliant songs for the people and for the world. If video filmed in 1987 under the blazing sun doesn't meet high tech 2000 MTV soundstage standards, so be it. To a normal person, it's just fine. This is one of the few concert videos I like to watch over and over.

Beautiful Spirit!
Having played this concert over and over,I am still moved by the freedom and presence of LadySmith Black Mambazo enhanced by the awesome Paul Simon! I was honored to have seen Lady Smith Black Mambazo in an amphitheatre in Santa Fe,NM (USA) during a heavy mountain rainstorm! They continued to play and everyone I saw STAYED, putting up umbrellas and hats ,etc. MESMERIZING music and spiritual honesty in song!!