Paul Simon’s landmark album Graceland is being celebrated with a variety of special events, releases and broadcasts.
Paul Simon Graceland 25
Graceland, released in 1986, sold over 14 million copies worldwide and won huge critical praise, going on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1987 and Song of the Year for the title track in 1988. Simon toured behind the album, with South African musicians who were part of the original recording, for almost five years.
Up first will be the broadcast premier of the documentary Under African Skies this Spring on A&E. Directed by Joe Berlinger, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has played at a number of other festivals throughout the country, including SXSW. Along with the A&E presentation, the film will continue to tour the festival circuit.
Legacy Recordings will then be releasing the album in a number of different versions on June 5:
Special Graceland 25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Box Set – a 2 CD/2 DVD set which including the remastered original album, the Under African Skies documentary film extended interviews, the original 1987 “African Concert” from Zimbabwe, three original music videos and the iconic Saturday Night Live performance of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. The box set also features the audio narrative The Story of Graceland as told by Paul Simon, replicas of an original Graceland poster and a handwritten lyrics pad, plus a deluxe 80-page book featuring new and archival photos and interviews with Paul Simon. The box set also includes a special short audio documentary of Simon discussing the making of the record.
The official Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition CD/DVD – an exclusive two disc set featuring the remastered original album with five bonus tracks and audio documentary, and Under African Skies film with bonus features, three original music videos and Saturday Night Live performance of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.
Under African Skies Blu-ray Disc – the feature documentary in state-of-the-art 5.1 sound with bonus extended interviews.
Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Vinyl – This audiophile edition is remastered on 180-gram 12″ vinyl and includes an art-quality collectible Graceland poster and a download card with the full album plus three bonus tracks. It will be available beginning Saturday, April 21 at independent retailers worldwide participating in Record Store Day.
An ultra-deluxe Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Box Set package – The ultimate Graceland set includes the boxed set, the 180-gram 12″ vinyl and a signed and numbered autographed commemorative poster–will be available direct-to-consumers during a limited time exclusive offer on the official Paul Simon website (www.paulsimon.com).
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