The Rhythm of the Saints

The Rhythm of the Saints
Studio album by
Paul Simon
Released October 16, 1990
Recorded December 1989 – June 1990
Genre Pop, rock, worldbeat
Length 44:49
Label Warner Bros.
Producer Paul Simon
Paul Simon chronology
Negotiations and Love Songs
(1988) 		The Rhythm of the Saints
(1990) 		Paul Simon's Concert in the Park
(1991)
Singles from The Rhythm of the Saints
  1. "The Obvious Child"
    Released: September 1990
  2. "Proof"
    Released: February 1991
  3. "Born at the Right Time"
    Released: 1991

The Rhythm of the Saints is the eighth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon, released on October 16, 1990, on Warner Bros. In much the same way that Simon's previous album, Graceland, released in 1986, drew upon South African music, this album was inspired by Brazilian musical traditions. Like its predecessor, the album was commercially successful and received mostly favorable reviews from critics.

In 1992, The Rhythm of the Saints earned two nominations for the 34th Grammy Awards – Album of the Year and Producer of the Year.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic
Blender
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Tribune
Entertainment Weekly A+
The Guardian
Los Angeles Times
NME 6/10
Q
Rolling Stone

The Rhythm of the Saints peaked at No. 4 on the US album chart, while Graceland had peaked at No. 3, ranking them both among Simon's most commercially successful albums. The album was also successful across the Atlantic, reaching No. 1 on the UK album chart. However, with the exception of "The Obvious Child", none of its three singles—including "Proof" and "Born at the Right Time"—charted or received substantial radio play. "The Obvious Child" also failed to reach the US top 40, although it reached No. 15 in the UK, becoming Simon's last major hit there. The album was certified Multi-Platinum.

Central Park concert

Alongside various musicians, Simon performed live versions of many of the songs from the album at a free concert in Central Park, New York City on August 15, 1991, in front of an audience of around 500,000 people. The performance was recorded and later released as the album Paul Simon's Concert in the Park.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Paul Simon, except "The Coast" (music by Simon and Vincent Nguini) and "Spirit Voices" (Portuguese lyrics by Milton Nascimento).

  1. "The Obvious Child" – 4:10
  2. "Can't Run But" – 3:36
  3. "The Coast" – 5:04
  4. "Proof" – 4:39
  5. "Further to Fly" – 5:36
  6. "She Moves On" – 5:03
  7. "Born at the Right Time" – 3:48
  8. "The Cool, Cool River" – 4:33
  9. "Spirit Voices" – 3:56
  10. "The Rhythm of the Saints" – 4:12

Bonus tracks (2004 reissue)

  1. "Born at the Right Time" (acoustic demo) – 3:50
  2. "Thelma" (outtake) – 4:14
  3. "The Coast" (work-in-progress version) – 5:13
  4. "Spirit Voices" (work-in-progress version) – 3:49

Notes:

  • "Thelma" previously appeared on Paul Simon 1964/1993.
  • According to Robert J. Reina of 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. At least two sleeves reflecting this track listing are known to exist.

Personnel

  • Paul Simon – vocals, guitars (1, 3, 7, 8, 9), horn arrangements (1, 2, 3, 5–10), guitar arrangements (1, 5–8), backing vocals (4)
  • Greg Phillinganes – synthesizers (3, 4, 5, 8)
  • Justin Tchounou – synthesizers (4)
  • Jimmy McDonald – accordion (4)
  • C. J. Chenier – accordion (7)
  • Joao Severo Da Silva – accordion (10)
  • J. J. Cale – guitars (2, 7)
  • Vincent Nguini – guitars (3, 5–10, 12), guitar arrangements (3, 5, 6, 8, 9), horn arrangements (4), bass (5, 8), claves (9)
  • Martin Atangana – electric guitar (4), guitar arrangements (4)
  • Georges Seba – electric guitar (4), guitar arrangements (4)
  • Rigo Star – guitars (5) [Liner notes erroneously credit him as "Ringo Star"]
  • Raphael Rabello – classical guitar (5)
  • Ray Phiri – guitars (6), guitar arrangements (6)
  • Adrian Belew – guitar synthesizer (9), guitars (12)
  • Tommy Bilson-Ogoe – guitars (10)
  • Kofi Electrik – guitars (10), guitar arrangements (10)
  • Armando Macedo – baiana (10)
  • Jerry Douglas – Dobro (12)
  • Bakithi Kumalo – bass (3, 4, 7, 9)
  • André Manga – bass (4)
  • Armand Sabal-Lecco – bass (6, 7, 9, 10, 12)
  • Grupo Cultural Olodum – drums (1)
  • Steve Gadd – drums (2, 4, 12)
  • Felix Sabal-Lecco – drums (7)
  • Naná Vasconcelos – percussion (2, 10, 12), gourd (3, 5, 8, 9), voice (3), berimbau (8), congas (9), triangle (9)
  • Uakti – percussion (2, 10), percussion effects (8)
  • Remi Kabaka – talking drum (2)
  • Mingo Araujo – castanets (2), talking drum (2, 4), triangle (2, 8), shaker (3), African bells (3), bass drum (4, 9), cymbals (4), percussion (5), congas (6, 7, 8, 12), agogo bells (7), surdo (12)
  • Mazzola – chicote (2)
  • Paulo Sérgio Santos – chicote (2)
  • Dom Chacal – bongos (4, 6, 12), congas (5, 7), batá drum (5, 12), gourd (9)
  • Madeleine Yayodele Nelson – chakeire (4, 7)
  • Sidinho Moreira – water bowl (4), bongos (5), congas (5, 6, 7, 9), bass drum (7), bottles (7), tambourine (9), surdo (12)
  • Wilson das Neves – percussion (5), cowbell (6)
  • Beloba – additional percussion effects (5)
  • Wilson Canegal – additional percussion effects (5)
  • Jorginho do Pandeiro – additional percussion effects (5)
  • Marçalzinho – additional percussion effects (5)
  • Roberto Bastros "Luna" Pinheiro – additional percussion effects (5)
  • Pedro Sorongo – additional percussion effects (5), scraper (6)
  • Antenor Marques "Gordinho" Filho – surdo (6)
  • Isaac Okyerema Asante – cajón (8)
  • Anthony Carrillo – bongos (9)
  • Francisco Aguabella – congas (9)
  • Giovanni Hidalgo – congas (9)
  • Kim Wilson – harmonica (1)
  • Michael Brecker – Akai EWI controller (1, 3, 5, 8, 12), saxophone (6)
  • Charles Doherty – alto saxophone (3, 8), tenor saxophone (8)
  • Jude Bethel – tenor saxophone (3)
  • Alain Hatot – saxophones (4)
  • Clifton Anderson – trombone (3, 8)
  • Jacques Bolognesi – trombone (4)
  • Dave Bargeron – euphonium (5)
  • Errol Ince – trumpet (3, 8)
  • Clyde Mitchell – trumpet (3, 8)
  • Phillipe Slominski – trumpet (4)
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet (5), piccolo trumpet (6)
  • Marco Antōnio Guimarães – basic track arrangements (2)
  • Briz – backing vocals (1)
  • Karen Bernod – backing vocals (3)
  • Myrna Lynn Gomila – backing vocals (3)
  • Kia Jeffries – backing vocals (3)
  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo – backing vocals (3)
  • Elolongue Mbango Catherine – backing vocals (6, 7)
  • Charlotte Mbango – backing vocals (6, 7)
  • Djana'd – backing vocals (6, 7)
  • Florence Gnimagnon – backing vocals (6, 7)
  • Milton Nascimento – vocals (9)

Production

  • Paul Simon – producer
  • Marco Mazzola – basic rhythm track production (2–10)
  • Phil Ramone – original Olodum recording supervisor (1), Transamerica sessions supervisor (2, 3, 5, 8, 10)
  • Roy Halee – engineer
  • Rich Travali – assistant engineer
  • Luiz "Mequinho" Felipe – assistant engineer (1)
  • Vanderley Loureiro – assistant engineer (2–10)
  • Geraldo Tazares – assistant engineer (2–10)
  • Bruce Keen – assistant engineer (4, 7)
  • Greg Calbi – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York)
  • Danny Harrison – album coordinator
  • Marc Silag – album coordinator
  • Dolores Lusitana – associate coordinator
  • Yolanda Cuomo – art direction, design
  • Miguel Rio Branco – front cover photography
  • Bruno Barbey – back cover photography
  • Sylvia Plachy – photograph of Paul Simon

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