🎸 TREE 133: Paul Simon in knee high black socks
Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ album started in South Africa with South African musicians. When he left the routines of his home to create with artists in a politically volatile area of the world (apartheid was tragically alive and well), he seemed to go as a musical tourist. He wasn’t there to impart a rigid vision, but to learn from others that approached music much differently than he did.
When I listen to Graceland, I don’t hear a cool kid on holiday trying to blend in with the locals. I hear a curious tourist complete with knee high socks and SPF50 sunblock, thrilled to be somewhere new.
The title song in other hands could have turned into a predictable ho-down, but the fingerprints of these remarkable musicians are all over the place. It is a joyful surprise.
Where can you be a tourist today that is within a 10 minute walk or drive from where you are right this moment?
This week’s guest author is Steven Lee Tracy, Producer/Engineer/Mixer/Composer/Owner of Saint Cecelia Studios in Tucson, Arizona.
It’s midweek. I’d love to know how you plan to put these first three ideas into practice.
Grow slowly
Jeff
