African & White

 

 Paul Simon - Graceland [88691914721 USA 2012 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC]

Following on from mainstream Tuesday is an album which I last ripped from my original 1986 pressing a few years back. Whilst eighties WEA Germany pressings can always be considered as excellent quality, I thought I would do some research and seek out what is regarded as the very best modern pressing of Graceland. 

In Europe, we only have the anonymously mastered Record Industry pressing which has been pressed from the 2015 Music On Vinyl metalwork. The Ryan K. Smith RSD2012 AAA cut from the original master tapes, pressed at RTI, has remained in-print in the USA for the last ten years and I was lucky enough to happen across a copy to rip. Here are the results. 

Boosted by a worldwide hit single, You Can Call Me Al (with more than a little help from Chevy Chase). Graceland was also Paul Simon's biggest selling album since he parted ways with Art Garf - it also followed his aborted marriage to Princess Leia. He was the harmless little musician with the gentle voice that your mum liked, but following his sanctions busting trip to South Africa, his influence and sales grew exponentially such that suddenly Surrey housewives and polyester-suited travelling salesmen were listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo and zydeco. 

Back in the day, I sold lorry loads of this record (also on cassette and compact disc) and am still tarnished by memories of being hemmed in behind the sales counter of my employer as it seemed like every customer in the lengthy queues wanted a copy. 

Now I can vouch that the Ryan K. Smith - Sterling Sound 2012 cut is the best sounding pressing of Graceland on vinyl. Enjoy.

A1  The Boy In The Bubble

A2  Graceland

A3  I Know What I Know

A4  Gumboots

A5  Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes

B1  You Can Call Me Al

B2  Under African Skies

B3  Homeless

B4  Crazy Love, Vol II

B5  That Was Your Mother

B6  All Around The World Or The Myth Of Fingerprints