Posted on Nov 6, 2015
Paul Simon, South Africa, and Graceland. Do you think he did that because of or despite the issues in South Africa during that time ?
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Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
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Because of. And "Graceland" is his finest solo album. I was also thrilled when he teamed up with Ladysmith Black Mombazo, a group I had followed for years prior and still love greatly.
Let me add: Paul was not ignorant of the life and death struggles nor all political issues in SA. But at the time of his Concert, and others during Apartheid, he had to "sing" a very fine line to keep from "upsetting the political apple cart." I don't think he was in real danger, but he had to watch his "Ps and Qs." He did so, and the result became his finest concert ever, IMHO. But I am, and have been, a Simon and Garfunkel devotee since the mid-Twentieth Century!!!!!!!!!!
Let me add: Paul was not ignorant of the life and death struggles nor all political issues in SA. But at the time of his Concert, and others during Apartheid, he had to "sing" a very fine line to keep from "upsetting the political apple cart." I don't think he was in real danger, but he had to watch his "Ps and Qs." He did so, and the result became his finest concert ever, IMHO. But I am, and have been, a Simon and Garfunkel devotee since the mid-Twentieth Century!!!!!!!!!!
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SGT (Join to see)
I watched an interview between him and the leader of the African opposition of that time, and Paul Simon seemed to run around the questions regarding his view on the cons of his actions. Have you seen it or anything that would give you an opinion on that one way or the other?
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Well Paul Simon seemed to be socially conscious and blended his songs with some humor SGT (Join to see). I do not think he would have intentionally exploited the situation in South Africa.
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LTC Stephen F.
SGT (Join to see) - ignorance is much better than complicity in my opinion.
There were many groups in South Africa at that time who wanted to leverage their "power" in whatever the future might hold for South Africa. Some were corrupt while others were naive and some did their best to hold the middle ground - that is typical of situations of political upheaval which has affected many of the nations in Africa last century.
Hopefully the current century will be more peaceful in Africa - however Central Africa and Kenya/Somalia and the Sahel region have more than enough turmoil unfortunately.
There were many groups in South Africa at that time who wanted to leverage their "power" in whatever the future might hold for South Africa. Some were corrupt while others were naive and some did their best to hold the middle ground - that is typical of situations of political upheaval which has affected many of the nations in Africa last century.
Hopefully the current century will be more peaceful in Africa - however Central Africa and Kenya/Somalia and the Sahel region have more than enough turmoil unfortunately.
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SGT (Join to see)
That's intersting to hear. I knew nothing of these "other" organizations looking to overthrow the system. Thanks for sharing, sir.
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LTC Stephen F.
SGT (Join to see) for a couple decades the African National Congress (ANC) was considered a terrorist organization by the USA and UK for decades based on their violent past.
In 1959 a group within the ANC broke away and formed the Pan African Congress (PAC). After Sharpeville the ANC and the PAC began to rethink their approach in the anti-apartheid struggle. The military wing of the ANC was known as MK with the military wing of the Pan African Congress known as Poqo.
The MK fighting with the Inkatha Freedom Party caused at least 5,000 civilian deaths between 1985 and 1989 for example. MK attacks continued until roughly 1990.
Other groups which shared power at time with ANC after the end of apartheid include the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions.
Unfortunately political violence played a significant part in South Africa throughout the 20th century from the Boer Wars on to the end of apartheid.
In 1959 a group within the ANC broke away and formed the Pan African Congress (PAC). After Sharpeville the ANC and the PAC began to rethink their approach in the anti-apartheid struggle. The military wing of the ANC was known as MK with the military wing of the Pan African Congress known as Poqo.
The MK fighting with the Inkatha Freedom Party caused at least 5,000 civilian deaths between 1985 and 1989 for example. MK attacks continued until roughly 1990.
Other groups which shared power at time with ANC after the end of apartheid include the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions.
Unfortunately political violence played a significant part in South Africa throughout the 20th century from the Boer Wars on to the end of apartheid.
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SGT (Join to see)
I liked plenty of what I heard, too. I think I'd like more of it had it been more balanced, but it IS Simon's album. Meh.
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