Tag Archives: paul simon

“Music in Mali” documentary

  October 12, 2012 - 10:42 pm | ,
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Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good: Via Afropop Worldwide, I came across information on this recently completed documentary about Malian music (filmed before the tragic fighting and repression in that great country). The film is produced by Kanaga System Krush (KSK) Records, but at this point, I don’t have any information on any screenings or its availability. I will keep tabs on it though. The embedded clip is a 14 minute preview. (Click the full-screen icon to view it properly). Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good is a feature-length documentary about the musicians, dancers and everyday people of … Continue reading →

Graceland/Under African Skies: released & reviewed

  June 12, 2012 - 8:17 am | , ,
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I’ve posted a couple of items recently about Under African Skies, the excellent documentary about Paul Simon’s groundbreaking Graceland album, released 25 years go. The documentary includes footage of original recording sessions, Simon’s first return to South Africa last year, and the international political controversy it caused from his breaking of the UN’s cultural boycott of the apartheid regime. For that 25th anniversary, a raft of packaging has now been released: CD’s, DVD’s, BluRay, deluxe box sets and more. Don’t let the marketing hype mislead you however; the music is still brilliant, and the documentary, by Joe Berlinger, is great. … Continue reading →

“Under African Skies”: Documentary on “Graceland”, 25 years on (updated)

  May 9, 2012 - 10:56 pm | , , , ,
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Update, May 24: See this page for details on the various CD/DVD/Blu-ray packages being released June 5. Update (May 18): The film will be shown on A&E (TV), May 25 at 10pm. Update (May 13): A couple of film reviews: LA Times (May 11) The Age (Australia) (May 14) And, to capture a bit of the flavour of the original album release, you can find many videos on YouTube of Simon’s original “Graceland” tour which followed the original album release. Many are from the final concert in Harare, Zimbabwe, including: “You Can Call Me Al“ “Diamonds on the Soles of … Continue reading →