Paul Simon’s seventh studio album still excites fans old and new alike, written in the midst of apartheid, it is arguably his most popular work. What many fans may not realise is that Graceland was inspired by Simon’s fascination with a bootleg recording of South African township music, and Simon, along with Roy Halee travelled to Johannesburg to spend two weeks recording with South African musicians. The lyrics were added on his return, and the result was Graceland. Now Graceland Live, which is currently touring the UK, tells that story, while giving us the album in its entirety.
Graceland Live fuses the music of Paul Simon with the South African Cultural Gospel Choir, who accompany YouTube Guitarist Josh Turner throughout. The first act, as Turner explains, features some of Simon’s earlier works, alongside the South African music which went on to inspire Graceland. Turner gives us snippets of information before each of the tracks he plays, and the choir wearing bright South African colours, bring uplifting and rousing choruses which delight the audience.
The first act does feel a little padded and confused, there’s not a great deal of Paul Simon, with around two thirds dedicated to the choir. It is very enjoyable, and the coming together of cultures is certainly inspiring, but there was a growing unease amongst the die hard Simon fans who were clearly there for Graceland.
Where Turner does perform in the first act, it is a tantalising teaser for what’s to come. His skillful guitar playing and silky smooth vocals are simply wonderful, and Chris Crowther’s sound design showcases Turner’s skills to the fullest. The live band, led by musical director Paul Gostling, bring a certain panache to Simon’s music, but it’s often when Turner is alone with his guitar that the room falls captivated.
While the first act may fail to satisfy the most ardent of Simon fans, the second act is exactly what we’ve all been waiting for, Graceland Live, the whole album played through with Josh Turner in complete command, supported by the band and choir, and while I’m not the biggest Paul Simon fan, I loved every second.
Josh Turner has an initial charming awkwardness to his performance, which erupts in to a frenzy of impassioned singing and guitar playing. His energy becomes infectious, and by the time he reaches ‘You Can Call Me Al’ the audience are on their feet, dancing in the aisles and generally going wild. I got the impression that Turner was genuinely surprised by his own talent, and the audience’s reactions to it.
The first half is enjoyable, and at times interesting thanks to those little nuggets of Paul Simon history, while the choir are fantastic at what they do and a pure joy to watch. But, it is in its second half that Graceland Live truly lives up to expectations, I’ve always enjoyed listening to Paul Simon, but after tonight, I absolutely love listening to Josh Turner.
Graceland Live Tour Dates:
Sunday 13 October Leicester- De Montfort Hall
Monday 14 October London – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Thursday 17 October Southend – Cliff’s Pavilion
Friday 18 October High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan
Saturday 19 October Swansea – Grand Theatre
Monday 21 October Liverpool – Philharmonic Hall
Tuesday 22 October Glasgow – Royal Concert Hall
Saturday 26 October Malvern – Festival Theatre
Sunday 27 October Manchester – Opera House
Tuesday 29 October Inverness – Eden Court Theatre
Thursday 31 October Aberdeen – Music Hall
Friday 1 November Perth – Concert Hall
Saturday 2 November Newcastle – City Hall
Sunday 3 Carlisle November – Sands Centre
Monday 4 November Edinburgh – Playhouse
