Rolling Stone (11/89) - Ranked #5 in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Best Albums Of The Eighties."
Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.116) - Ranked #81 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...Simon created an album about isolation and redemption that transcended 'world music' to become the whole world's soundtrack..."
Personnel includes: Paul Simon (vocals, guitar); Linda Ronstadt, The Everly Brothers, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, General M.D. Shirinda, The Gaza Sisters, Joseph Shabalala (vocals); Adrian Belew (guitar, syntesizer guitar); Chikapa "Ray" Phiri, Daniel Xilakazi (guitar); Demola Adepoju (pedal steel); Forere Motloheloa, Jonhjon Mikhalali (accordion); Alex Foster (alto sax); Lenny Pickett (tenor sax); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Earl Gardner, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Lew Soloff, Alan Rubin (trumpet); Rob Mounsey (synthesizer); Baghiti Khumalo (bass); Vusi Khumalo (drums); Lulu Masilela (tambourine); Youssou N'Dour, Makhaya Mahlangu Ralph McDonald, Babacar Faye, Assane Thiam (percussion).
Los Lobos: Cesar Rosas (vocals, guitar); David Hildago (vocals, guitar, accordion); Steve Berlin (saxophone); Conrad Lozano (bass); Louie Perez, Steve Gadd (drums).
Engineers include: Roy Halee, Peter Thwaites, Mark Cobrin.
Includes three previously unreleased bonus tracks.
Personnel include: Paul Simon (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, Synclavier, 6-string bass); Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Everly Brothers, Linda Ronstadt (vocals); Los Lobos, The Boyoyo Boys (various instruments); Ray Phiri (guitar); Demola Adepoju (pedal steel guitar); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone, bass saxophone); Jon Faddis, Alan Rubin (trumpet); Adrian Belew (synthesizer, guitar synthesizer); Bakithi Kumalo (bass guitar); Steve Gadd (drums); Youssou N'Dour (percussion).
Recording information: 1986.
Through the mist of subsequent pale imitations, it is difficult now to recall the enormous impact of this trans-cultural album. The mould-breaking blend of rock and African rhythms is exemplified by "Homeless," an exquisitely melancholic evocation of African beauty and desolation. The stirring harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo illuminate "Homeless" and "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes." The element of humour in the latter is echoed in "You Can Call Me Al," a hit single. The lyrics are finely crafted and the result is a structure of impeccable proportions. There are angels in the architecture.
