The Cadre

Prychedelec Vostalgia

By Matthew Hennessey

In the world of the billion dollar major label music industry, artistic integrity is often low on the ‘formula for success’ list. Many legitimate musicians and songsmiths have lost their ability to create by having Mr. A. And. R. shove ideas down their throats, talking charts and numbers instead of words of inspiration. “You don’t follow the trends, and we won't support you! Sure we'll let you make a record (that’s cheap) but the advertising that is required and the greenbacks for the world tour...well, do it on your own.” Halifax’s Sloan found out this reality the hard way, and was one of the few that survived. In essence, it is a rarity to witness an artist that is able to combine innovation, worldwide success and a free leash from their record company; with this methodology, there is magic to be made.

Magic is something that Paul Simon has created all throughout his career, from his days in Greenwich Village coffee shops, to Monterey Pop with his one-time partner Art Garfunkel, to the solitude of the present. Simon has become a legend, without once pausing to reflect on his success or allow his reformation to push the boundaries of pop music.

In 1986, Simon recorded what some le deemed a

comeback album. His solo career, though ingenious, has somewhat faltered during the early '80s. What resurrected his career was Graceland. Named after Elvis Presley's home estate, this album became the flagship in the then underground world beat scene. It gave this form of popular music legitimacy, as it was adapted, and transformed and produced by a major superstar. Paul Simon enlisted the help and influence of African rhythms and vocal delights on the creation of Graceland, with the African group, Ladysmith Black Mombazo. This group has already gone on to bigger and better things, but their star career began with the infectious song, “Homeless.” Despite criticism about stealing other le’s musical influences, Simon had three big hits with were all his own; the title track, “You cancall me Al,” and “Diamonds on the soles of her shoes,” were mainstays on the adult contemporary, pop/rock and world beat charts. The advent of the crossover artist had begun and it was Paul Simon who told the record er and the globe that it was allowed, and encour- ag

The rest of the album is, ina word, outstanding. Linda Ronstadt helps out on “Under African skies,” we can only imagine the inspiration that they must have had on Paul Simon.

There is little debate that the boy from New York is not only a gps and musician, but he can certainly spot talent; for evidence we need look no further than Simon’s follow up album, The Rhythm of the Saints where South American beats were . And now, Paul’s gota tough job to live up to as he is expected to release a new album in early 1998.

Paul Simon Graceland (Warner Bros: 1986) the ‘in

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skies-homeless-crazy all around the world or the myth of the finger prints

East Coast Music Awards in 10th Year

The 10th anniversary of the East Coast Music Awards and Conference will begin cel- ebrating selected Atlantic art- ists from January 29, culmi-

nating threedays laterwiththe Anne

Gala to be held at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Halifax native Sarah McLachlan leads the pack of nominees with seven nomina- tions. The highly acclaimed single “Building a Mystery” off the Surfacing album looks to bring in several awards. Several other artists also have multiple nominations, includ- ing Great Big Sea, Ron Hynes, and PEI’s Lennie Gallant.

The Entertainer of the Year category will be the only one to be voted on by the general public; the ECMA mem categories. The public may vane eee location of the Atlantic eames and Atlantic SuperValu throughotu Atlantic Canada., where a di- rect, toll-free call may be placed to the ECMA ‘98 En- tertainer of the Year hotline, peas of MT&T, NBTel, Island Tel and NEWTEL.

Comedian Rick Mercer of“This Hour has 22 Minutes” hosts the Gala Awards Show, which takes place Sunday, February |, and will be broad- cast live to the nation for the first time by CBC Television and on CBC Radio Two. Some acts slated to perform at the Metro Centre show include Sloan, Ashley Maclsaac, Rita MacNeil, Lennie Gallant,

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January 13, 1998

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Male Artist of the Year J.P. Cormier

Johnny Favorite Roch Voisine Female Artist of the Year 4

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