Pete Seeger (Short Overview)

-Having attained the reputation of one of the most controversial and powerful artists in American Music History, Pete Seeger, at age 90, has never ceased to amaze society and inspire change. Countless artists, including the rock and roll sensation Bruce Springsteen, have attested that Pete Seeger is, and will always be, the most inspirational artist of all time and has served as a role model to countless musicians. Throughout his lifetime Seeger has been awarded a plethora of accolades including The Grammy Lifetime Achievemnt Award, The National Medal of Arts, and The Havard Arts Medal; however, Pete Seeger never considered these honors to be his motivation for his continuing work but rather his faith in the power of song. His music preached for equity, peace, and environmental awareness across not only the country but the world as well. Seeger is most famous for his songs “If I had a Hammer”, “Turn, Turn, Turn”, and “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?”
+To learn more about Pete Seeger visit:
- http://www.peteseeger.net/biograph.htm

Tracy Chapman (Short Overview)

-Even though she is only 45, Tracy Chapman has made an impact on the world with her music that continues to shock her listeners. Fighting through poverty during her childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, Chapman dreamt of escaping the obstacle that she called her life. Tracy’s ambition and love for music enabled her to reach extraordinary feats with nothing but her voice, a ukulele, guitar, and a few dollars to her name. After getting her music career underway she released her most powerful song, “Fast Car”. The song did win the Grammy Best Female Pop Vocal Performance but more importantly this song told the story of the hardships she faced and the dreams she had. It is because of this song that people can recognize and appreciate how far ambition and the power of music took Tracy Chapman but also shows how these aspects of life have no bias and no prejudice to race, religion, or social status.

+Lyrics from “Fast Car” (First Three Verses)

-“You got a fast car I want a ticket to anywhere Maybe we make a deal Maybe together we can get somewhere Anyplace is better Starting from zero got nothing to lose Maybe we'll make something But me myself I got nothing to prove You got a fast car And I got a plan to get us out of here I been working at the convenience store Managed to save just a little bit of money We won't have to drive too far Just 'cross the border and into the city You and I can both get jobs And finally see what it means to be living”

+To learn more about Tracy Chapman visit:
-http://www.tracychapman.com/

Graceland(General Info.)

-Released in 1986. The album made its way to the top of the charts in the United Kingdom and reached as far as the number three in the United States charts. Graceland was nominated for and won the Album of the Year Grammy Award in 1986 and the song “Graceland” went on to win Record of the Year the following year. For the most part the album was recorded in South Africa and in turn has many featuring artists and bands from South Africa. Simon intended to make an album that would have a combination of all different styles of music. Simon was successful in doing so when Graceland featured all kinds of music such as: pop, rock, a cappella, isicathamiya (form of a cappella), and mbaqanga (South African style music originated from the rural Zulu).
+Track Listing
-“The Boy in the Bubble”
-“Graceland”
-“I Know What I Know”
-“Gumboots”
-“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”
-“You Can Call Me Al”
-“Under African Skies”
-“Homeless”
-“Crazy Love, Vol. II”
-“That Was Your Mother”
-“All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints”

Apartheid(Short Overview)

-From the years 1948 to 1994 South Africa was under the influence of a legal system of racial segregation. This system was enacted, practiced, and enforced by the National Party government in South Africa. This system and time period became known as the “Apartheid” which is defined literally as separateness. Under this system of segregation known as the Apartheid the rights of black citizens (the majority in South Africa) were heavily restricted thus enabling the “whites” to maintain rule and power.

Paul Simon(Short Overview)

-Having received countless awards across his career, including twelve Grammy awards, Paul Simon is easily one of the most decorated and respected musicians of all time. His innovation and talent led him to be inducted to both “The Songwriters Hall of Fame” and the “Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.” After branching off from his group Simon and Garfunkel, Simon became a solo artist and quickly became one of the hottest artists of his time. Simon was not just a musician but a philanthropist as well. As a co-founder of The Children’s Health Fund (CHF), Simon demonstrated his ability to influence and help others apart from his music career. It was a result of Simon’s artistic and philanthropic ways that he was lead to South Africa and was inspired to make his most famous album Graceland. In 2007, Simon was awarded the first annual Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

+For more information on the CHF visit:
-http://www.childrenshealthfund.org/
+For more information on the Gershwin Award visit:
- http://www.loc.gov/about/awardshonors/

Abstract from "Paul Simons Graceland and its Social and Political Statements on the Apartheid"

"Paul Simon's Graceland album is one of the most controversial rock-and roll albums in history beacue of its strong connection with South Africa during the apartheid. Simon's interest in South African music led him to record the album, which became a collaboration between South African popular music and American rock-and-roll music. Through the album, Simon makes a social statement, but because of the political issues within South Africa during the release of Graceland, many believe the album also makes a political statement. Graceland not only makes the strong social statement Simon intended, but also provides an important political statement on apartheid in South Africa."