You Can Call Me Al

Music appearing in this episode:Paul Simon - "You Can Call Me Al" (1986)Paul Simon - "Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes (Alternate Unreleased Version)" (2012)Bakithi Kumalo - unknown titles (2019)Stimela - "Say Say No" (1984)Talking Heads - "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)" (1980)Mickey Hart ft. Jerry Garcia - "The Eliminators" (1990)Mpharanyana and The Cannibals - "Hlotse" (1978)Ladysmith Black Mambazo - "Nomathemba" (1973)Lemmy "Special" Mabaso - "Tsamaea" (1962)Grover Washington Jr. feat. Bill Withers - "Just the Two of Us" (1980)Paul Simon - "You Can Call Me Al (Demo Version)" (2012)Alicia Witt - "You Can Call Me Al" (2009)Bakithi Kumalo demonstrates the bassline(s) in "You Can Call Me Al", and also justifiably expresses some bitterness that Paul Simon mimes his part in the video.Charles DeVillers helpfully transcribed several basslines on Graceland.I quote extensively from Louise Meintjes' classic 1990 article, "Paul Simon's Graceland, South Africa, and the Mediation of Musical Meaning".I also quote from "Paul Simon vs the World" by Steven Hyden.I learned the concept of songs versus tracks from Albin Zak's book The Poetics of Rock: Cutting Tracks, Making Records.Here's some helpful backstory on South African music by DJ Henri.The Kleptones' attempted reconstruction of Accordion Jive Hits Volume II is a worthwhile listen.For some critical context, I recommend Homeward Bound: The Life of Paul Simon by Peter Ames Carlin.I also recommend the documentary Under African Skies, which had Paul Simon's involvement but which is reasonably even-handed. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe