Following the success of 1986's Graceland, on which he worked principally with South African musicians, Simon broadened his interests in diverse forms of music from around the world. He turned to Latin America for the musicians and rhythms which characterize much of this album, partnering with Afro-Brazilian superstars Grupo Cultural Olodum, masters of the Bahia style of samba (called Samba-Afro). The group's drumming is featured on the opening song and first single, "The Obvious Child". Brazilian singer-songwriter Milton Nascimento co-wrote "Spirit Voices" and contributed some vocals. Guest appearances were also made by mandolin- and "guitarra baiana" master Armandinho, another Bahia musician, and by Afro-Cuban drummer Francisco Aguabella, and Puerto Rican-born drummer Giovanni Hidalgo. Another collaborator was jazz percussionist and master of the berimbau, Naná Vasconcelos; jazz guitarist Rafael Rabelo also played on the album, along with many other Brazilian musicians.
The musical styles on The Rhythm of the Saints are, however, not uniformly Brazilian. Ringo Starr contributes drums on "Further to Fly"; US saxophonist Michael Brecker and other horn players also contribute as session musicians (for example, on "Proof"), as well as American roots rock guitarist J. J. Cale, R&B keyboards player Greg Phillinganes and jazz drummer Steve Gadd. Art rock guitarist and synth player Adrian Belew, who played on Graceland, is credited on "Spirit Voices". There are also many backing vocals on The Rhythm of the Saints, such as "She Moves On", a duet with Charlotte Mbango.
The album is characterized by impressionistic lyrics (referencing the Chernobyl incident in "Can't Run But" and the state of the world in "The Cool, Cool River"), with slower tempos than Graceland and an atmospheric flow. Along with Latin rhythms, the prime influence on the album was West African and Central African music. Cameroonian jazz composer Andre Manga plays bass, and The Rhythm of the Saints also marks Simon's first collaboration with Cameroonian guitarist Vincent Nguini, a member of his band since. Nguini is credited as cowriter on "The Coast", one of the more upbeat songs, which also features the return of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the South African vocal group who had a key role in the popularity of Graceland. Malawian-born guitarist Ray Phiri, who also collaborated on Graceland, plays on much of the album, while famed trumpeter and worldbeat bandleader Hugh Masekela is credited with playing flugelhorn on one song.
The Rhythm of the Saints peaked at #4 on the US album chart, while Graceland had peaked at #3, both among Simon's most commercially successful albums. The album was also commercially successful across the Atlantic, reaching #1 on the UK album chart. However, with the exception of "The Obvious Child", none of its singles charted or received substantial radio play ("Proof" and "Born at the Right Time" were released as well). "The Obvious Child" also failed to reach the US top 40, although it came in at #15 in the UK. In the end, the album was certified multi-platinum.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Paul Simon; except where indicated
"The Obvious Child"
"Can't Run But"
"The Coast" (Simon, Vincent Nguini)
"Proof"
"Further to Fly"
"She Moves On"
"Born at the Right Time"
"The Cool, Cool River"
"Spirit Voices" (Simon, Milton Nascimento)
"The Rhythm of the Saints"
Alternate listing
According to an article published in Stereophile magazine, Simon's original
track sequence was changed when "the boys in Warners' front office insisted
the album's lead single, 'The Obvious Child' be given pride of place."
To hear Simon's preferred track order, the current release would have to be
re-sequenced as 3-6-4-7-8-1-2-9-5-10 (see below).
"The Coast"
"She Moves On"
"Proof"
"Born at the Right Time"
"The Cool, Cool River"
"The Obvious Child"
"Can't Run But"
"Spirit Voices"
"Further To Fly"
"The Rhythm of the Saints"
2004 reissue
In 2004, the album was remastered by Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot. It was reissued
with the same track order as the original release, along with four previously
unreleased bonus tracks:
"Born at the Right Time" [acoustic demo]
"Thelma" [outtake]
"The Coast" [work-in-progress version]
"Spirit Voices" [work-in-progress version]
Central Park concert
Simon and his fellow musicians performed live versions of many of the songs
from the album at a concert in Central Park, New York City in 1991, which was
recorded and later released.
Personnel
Paul Simon - vocals, guitar
Clifton Chenier - accordion
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - background vocals
Milton Nascimento - vocals
Naná Vasconcelos - percussion, conga, triangle, berimbau, gourd
Adrian Belew - synthesizer
J.J. Cale - guitar
Ringo Starr - drums
Michael Brecker - saxophone
Hugh Masekela - flugelhorn
Giovanni Hidalgo - conga
Kim Wilson - harmonica, olodum
Clifton Anderson - trombone
Francisco Aguabella - conga
Artur Andres - percussion
Mingo Araujo - percussion, castanets, conga, cymbals, drums, triangle, shaker,
African bells, go go bell, casinette
Isaak Asante - percussion
Martin Atangana - electric guitar
Dave Bargeron - euphonium, horn
Karen Bernod - background vocals
Jude Bethel - tenor saxophone
Jacques Bolognesi - trombone
Randy Brecker - piccolo trumpet
Briz - background vocals
Anthony Carrillo - bongos
Elolongue Mbango Catherine - background vocals
Don Chacal - bongos, conga, bata, gourd
C.J. Chenier - accordion
Wilson DasNeves - percussion, cowbell
Djana'd - background vocals
Charles Doherty - tenor & alto saxophone
Steve Gadd - drums
Florence Gnimagnon - background vocals
Myrna Lynn Gomila - background vocals
Gordinho - sordu
Grupo Cultural - drums
Alain Hatot - saxophone
Errol Ince - trumpet
Kia Jeffries - background vocals
Remi Kabaka - percussion
Bakithi Khumalo - bass
Armand Sabal-Lecco - bass
Charlotte M'bango - background vocals
Andre Manga - bass
Mazzola - percussion, chicote
Jimmy McDonald - accordion
Clyde Mitchell - trumpet
Madeleine Yayodele Nelson - chekere, bass
Vincent Nguini - bass, guitar, clavinet
Greg Phillinganes - synthesizer
Ray Phiri - guitar
Raphael Rabello - guitar
Decio Ramos - drums
Felix Sabal-Lecco - drums
Paul Santos - percussion
Paulo Sérgio Santos - chicote
George Seba - electric guitar
Phillipe Slominski - trumpet
Pedro Sorongo - percussion, scraper
Justin Tchounou - synthesizer
Antonio Luis Alves de Souza - director
Remy Kabocka - drums
Beloba - percussion
Marçalzinho - percussion
Armandinho - guitar
Canegal - percussion
Asante - drums
Sidinho Moreira - bongos, conga, drums, bottle, water bowl
Yo Yo De La Nelson - chakeire
Jorge Ferreira da Silva - percussion
Kofi Electrik - guitar