The 25th anniversary of Graceland, Paul Simon’s groundbreaking album that continues to influence and inspire generations, will be commemorated with musical and film celebrations stretching into the summer. Following its Sundance Film Festival premiere in the US, the Joe Berlinger-directed documentary “Under African Skies,” chronicling the creation and lasting influence of Graceland, will have its UK premiere at Sundance London at the end of April. The documentary has been garnering critical acclaim on the film festival circuit with screenings at SXSW 2012, where it received an Audience Award, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival. The film is slated for an early July Broadcast on BBC 1 as part the Imagine series, introduced by Alan Yentob.
To help commemorate the anniversary and celebrate the indelible musical legacy of Graceland, Sony Commercial Music Group will be offering several 25th Anniversary versions of Paul Simon’s Graceland on 4 June:
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 official Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition CD/DVD set – a two disc music and film set featuring the remastered original album with five bonus tracks and audio narrative “The Story of ‘Graceland’” as told by Paul Simon. The DVD features the “Under African Skies” film with extended interviews, 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.
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
Paul Simon will be performing Graceland in its entirety at Hard Rock Calling 2012 on Sunday 15 July. He will be joined on stage by Jimmy Cliff on songs including Harder They Come and Too Many Rivers To Cross, before Ladysmith Black Mambazo take to the stage for a Graceland reunion, a UK first since 1987.
