Paul Simon's eighth solo studio album, "The Rhythm of the Saints," released on October 16, 1990, marked a significant shift in his musical exploration, drawing heavily from Brazilian musical traditions. This followed his previous album, "Graceland," which had been inspired by South African music. Simon's deep dive into Brazilian sounds was not a casual endeavor; it involved multiple trips to the country and a keen interest in the local music scene,
particularly the polyrhythmic percussion patterns that would become a cornerstone of the album's sound.
Discovering Brazilian Rhythms
Between 1988 and 1989, Paul Simon made five separate trips to Brazil. During these visits, he was particularly captivated by the sounds emanating from various street musicians he encountered. The inspiration for this journey was partly sparked by a conversation with Eddie Palmieri, who suggested that "the journey of the drum goes with the slave trade, from West Africa to Brazil, then up the Caribbean." This insight guided Simon's focus toward the rich, percussive heritage of Brazilian music, which has deep roots in African traditions.
His travels led him to Salvador, Bahia, a city renowned for its vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture. It was there that he came across the music ensemble Grupo Cultural Olodum. Simon learned that the group was rehearsing in the area and, after hearing their performance, was profoundly impressed. This encounter proved pivotal for the album's development, as he recorded the ensemble just two days later. These recordings were used for "The Obvious Child," which ultimately became the opening track of "The Rhythm of the Saints," setting the percussive tone for the entire album.
Crafting the Album's Sound
On "The Rhythm of the Saints," Simon made a conscious decision to construct many of the tracks around these intricate polyrhythmic percussion patterns. He explained that these rhythms were not merely background elements but actively influenced the melodies and lyrics that he later composed for the songs. This approach meant that the rhythmic foundation often dictated the harmonic and lyrical direction of the music, creating a cohesive and deeply integrated sound.
Simon also noted that the chord progressions on "The Rhythm of the Saints" were "more adventurous" compared to those on his previous album, "Graceland." This adventurousness was directly linked to his method of building chord changes around the complex Brazilian rhythms. The album's sound, while distinct, maintained a certain familiarity for fans of "Graceland," particularly in its rhythm-driven nature. The overall result was an album that, despite its rhythmic intensity, was also described as delicate and atmospherically rich, with many magical moments that resembled a collection of musical prayers.
Promotion and Release
Paul Simon began promoting "The Rhythm of the Saints" in August 1990. He invited members of the press to the recording studio, where he performed material from the upcoming album over the existing instrumentation, which was still being finalized. The initial release date for the album was set for September 1990, but Simon decided to push it back. He felt that the mixes and track sequencing were not satisfactory, making this decision less than three days before the album was scheduled for distribution to retail stores. This additional time allowed him to redo some of the vocals, as he told Billboard, "if you gave me the record for another week, I could take it up a pretty good notch." The album was eventually released on October 16, 1990, by Warner Bros., and was met with commercial success and mostly favorable critical reviews. Following its release, Simon announced on November 15, 1990, on the "Saturday Night Live" sound stage, that he would embark on his "Born At The Right Time" world tour, featuring a 17-piece touring band, starting on January 4, 1991, in Tacoma, Washington.
