The Rhythm of the Saints

1990 studio album by Paul Simon

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, by 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.[1][2] 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.[3][4]

## Reception[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [5]
Blender| [6]
Chicago Sun-Times| [7]
Chicago Tribune| [8]
Entertainment Weekly| A+[9]
The Guardian| [10]
Los Angeles Times| [11]
NME| 6/10[12]
Q| [13]
Rolling Stone| [2]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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.   2. "Born at the Right Time" (acoustic demo) – 3:50
3. "Thelma" (outtake) – 4:14
4. "The Coast" (work-in-progress version) – 5:13
5. "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."[14] 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.[15]

## Personnel[edit]

* Paul Simon – vocals, guitars (1, 3, 7, 8, 9), horn arrangements (1, 2, 3, 5–10), guitar arrangements (1, 5–8), backing vocals (4)

with

Keyboards

* 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)

Guitars and bass

* 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 and Georges Seba – electric guitar and guitar arrangements (4)
* Rigo Star – guitars (5) [Liner notes erroneously credit him as "Ringo Star"]
* Raphael Rabello – classical guitar (5)
* Ray Phiri – guitars and guitar arrangements (6)
* Adrian Belew – guitar synthesizer (9), guitars (12)
* Kofi Electrik – guitars and guitar arrangements (10)
* Tommy Bilson-Ogoe – guitars (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)

Drums and percussion

* 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 and triangle (9)
* Mingo Araujo – castanets (2), talking drum (2, 4), triangle (2, 8), shaker and African bells (3), bass drum (4, 9), cymbals (4), percussion (5), congas (6, 7, 8, 12), agogo bells (7), surdo (12)
* Uakti – percussion (2, 10), percussion effects (8)
* Marco Antōnio Guimarães – basic track arrangements (2)
* Paulo Sérgio Santos and Mazzola – chicote (2)
* Remi Kabaka – talking drum (2)
* Dom Chacal – bongos (4, 6, 12), congas (5, 7), batá drum (5, 12), gourd (9)
* Madeleine Yayodele Nelson – shekere (4, 7)
* Sidinho Moreira – water bowl (4), congas (5, 6, 7, 9), bongos (5), bass drum and bottles (7), tambourine (9), surdo (12)
* Wilson das Neves – percussion (5), cowbell (6)
* Beloba, Wilson Canegal, Jorginho do Pandeiro, Marçalzinho and 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)
* Giovanni Hidalgo and Francisco Aguabella – congas (9)

Reed and brass instruments

* 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)
* Errol Ince and Clyde Mitchell – trumpet (3, 8)
* Clifton Anderson – trombone (3, 8)
* Alain Hatot – saxophones (4)
* Phillipe Slominski – trumpet (4)
* Jacques Bolognesi – trombone (4)
* Randy Brecker – trumpet (5), piccolo trumpet (6)
* Dave Bargeron – euphonium (5)

Vocals

* Briz – backing vocals (1)
* Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Karen Bernod, Kia Jeffries, Myrna Lynn Gomila – backing vocals (3)
* Charlotte Mbango, Djana'd, Elolongue Mbango Catherine, Florence Gnimagnon – backing vocals (6, 7)
* Milton Nascimento – vocals (9)

## Production[edit]

* 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

## Charts[edit]

### Weekly charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for The Rhythm of the Saints by Paul Simon  | Chart (1990–91)  | Peak
position

|

Australian ARIA Albums Chart[16] | 3
Austrian Albums Chart[17] | 4
Belgian Albums Chart[18] | 6
Canadian Albums Chart[19] | 1
Dutch Mega Albums Chart[20] | 2
European Top 100 Albums[21] | 1
Finnish Albums Chart[22] | 7
French SNEP Albums Chart[23] | 22
German Media Control Albums Chart [24] | 11
Hungarian Albums Chart[25] | 13
Japanese Oricon Albums Chart[26] | 87
Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart[27] | 6
New Zealand Albums Chart[28] | 6
Spanish Albums Chart[29] | 17
Swedish Albums Chart[30] | 8
Swiss Albums Chart[31] | 3
UK Albums Chart[32] | 1
US Billboard 200[33] | 4

### Year-end charts[edit]

Chart (1990)  | Position

|

Australian Albums Chart[34] | 36
Canadian Albums Chart[35] | 26
Dutch Albums Chart[36] | 29
European Albums Charts[37] | 94
UK Albums Chart[38] | 13
Chart (1991)  | Position

|

Canadian Albums Chart[39] | 22
U.S. Billboard 200[40] | 22

## Certifications and sales[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[41] | Platinum  | 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[42] | Gold  | 25,000*
Belgium  | —  | 25,000[43]
Canada (Music Canada)[44] | 2× Platinum  | 200,000^
Germany (BVMI)[45] | Gold  | 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[46] | Platinum  | 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[47] | Platinum  | 15,000^
South Africa (RISA)[48] | Gold  | 25,000[48]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[49] | Gold  | 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[50] | Gold  | 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] | 2× Platinum  | 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[52] | 2× Platinum  | 2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References[edit]

1. ^ DeRiso, Nick (October 22, 2015). "When Paul Simon Took a Darkly Intriguing Turn on 'Rhythm of the Saints'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
2. ^ a b McAlley, John (November 15, 1990). "The Rhythym[sic] of the Saints". Rolling Stone. New York. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
3. ^ Hunt, Dennis; Cromelin, Richard (January 9, 1992). "The 34th Annual Grammy Nominations: Grammys Get 'Religion,' Nominate R.E.M. 7 Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
4. ^ Dennis Hunt and Richard Cromelin. "Rock On The Net: 34th Annual Grammy Awards – 1992". Retrieved 2011-08-08.
5. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "The Rhythm of the Saints – Paul Simon". AllMusic. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
6. ^ Powers, Ann (November 2006). "Paul Simon: The Rhythm of the Saints". Blender. Vol. 5, no. 10\. New York.
7. ^ McLeese, Don (November 11, 1990). "Spirituality In Rock: Into The Mystic". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
8. ^ Kot, Greg (October 14, 1990). "The Evolution Of Simon's Diverse Solo Career". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
9. ^ Sandow, Greg (October 26, 1990). "The Rhythm of the Saints". Entertainment Weekly. New York. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
10. ^ Sweeting, Adam (August 6, 2004). "Paul Simon, The Rhythm of the Saints". The Guardian. London. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
11. ^ Willman, Chris (October 14, 1990). "Paul Simon, 'The Rhythm of the Saints,' Warner Bros". Los Angeles Times.
12. ^ Dalton, Stephen (October 27, 1990). "The Age of Con-Saint". NME. London. p. 38.
13. ^ Sutcliffe, Phil (December 1990). "Irresistible". Q. No. 51\. London.
14. ^ "1996 Records to die for Page 6". 29 February 1996.
15. ^ "Ask the Expert: The value of a Paul Simon vinyl jacket".
16. ^ "australian-charts.com Paul Simon – The Rhythm of the Saints". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
17. ^ "Paul Simon – The Rhythm of the Saints – austriancharts.at". Retrieved 2011-08-08.
18. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (28 December 1989). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 16 January 2017 - via Internet Archive. `{{cite book}}`: `|last=` has generic name (help)
19. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
20. ^ "dutchcharts.nl Paul Simon – The Rhythm of the Saints". dutchcharts.nl. MegaCharts. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
21. ^ "Billboard". books.google.com. 12 October 1991. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
22. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 263\. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
23. ^ "Paul Simon". infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
24. ^ "Album Search: Paul Simon" (in German). Media Control. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
25. ^ lightmedia.hu. "Kereső - előadó/cím szerint - Archívum - Hivatalos magyar slágerlisták". slagerlistak.hu. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
26. ^ "Highest position and charting weeks of The Rhythm of the Saints by Paul Simon". oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon Style. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
27. ^ "norwegiancharts.com Paul Simon – The Rhythm of the Saints". Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
28. ^ "charts.nz – Paul Simon – The Rhythm of the Saints". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
29. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
30. ^ "swedishcharts.com Paul Simon – The Rhythm of the Saints". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
31. ^ "Paul Simon – The Rhythm of the Saints – hitparade.ch". Retrieved 2011-08-08.
32. ^ "The Official Charts Company – Paul Simon – The Rhythm Of The Saints". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
33. ^ Allmusic – The Rhythm of the Saints > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums
34. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Albums 1990". aria.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
35. ^ "Top 100 Albums of 1990". RPM. December 22, 1990. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
36. ^ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1990" (ASP) (in Dutch). Retrieved April 2, 2014.
37. ^ Bakker, Machgiel (December 22, 1990). "1990 REVIEW: Music & Media Year -End Awards . European Top 100 Albums 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51\. pp. 29, 38. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
38. ^ "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 2012-05-19. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
39. ^ "RPM 100 Albums (CDs & Cassettes) of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
40. ^ "Billboard's list reveals best sellers". Houston Chronicle Archives. Billboard. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
41. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1990 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
42. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Paul Simon – The Rhythm of The Saints" (in German). IFPI Austria.
43. ^ "Platinum Rhythms" (PDF). Music & Media. July 20, 1991. p. 12. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
44. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Paul Simon – The Rhythm of The Saints". Music Canada.
45. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Paul Simon; 'Rhythm of The Saints')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
46. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Paul Simon – The Rhythm of The Saints" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 2 May 2022. Enter The Rhythm of The Saints  in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1991 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
47. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Paul Simon – The Rhythm of The Saints". Recorded Music NZ.
48. ^ a b "South Africa Bound: Protest Swirls Around Paul Simon's Scheduled Shows" (PDF). Billboard. January 18, 1992. p. 26. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
49. ^ Solo Exitos 1959-2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1979-1990. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. 2005. ISBN 8480486392.
50. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('The Rhythm of The Saints')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
51. ^ "British album certifications – Paul Simon – The Rhythm of The Saints". British Phonographic Industry.
52. ^ "American album certifications – Paul Simon – The Rhythm of The Saints". Recording Industry Association of America.

* v
* t
* e

Paul Simon

* Discography
* Songs recorded
* Songs written

Studio albums|

* The Paul Simon Songbook (1966)
* Paul Simon (1972)
* There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973)
* Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)
* One-Trick Pony (1980)
* Hearts and Bones (1983)
* Graceland (1986)
* The Rhythm of the Saints (1990)
* Songs from The Capeman (1997)
* You're the One (2000)
* Surprise (2006)
* So Beautiful or So What (2011)
* Stranger to Stranger (2016)
* In the Blue Light (2018)
* Seven Psalms (2023)

Live albums|

* Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'
* Paul Simon's Concert in the Park

Compilations|

* Greatest Hits, Etc.
* Negotiations and Love Songs
* The Paul Simon Anthology
* Paul Simon 1964/1993
* Greatest Hits: Shining Like a National Guitar
* Recorded as Jerry Landis
* The Essential Paul Simon
* This Better Be Good
* Over the Bridge of Time
* The Ultimate Collection

Film and theater|

* The Paul Simon Special (1977)
* One-Trick Pony (1980)
* Paul Simon in Concert (1981)
* The All-Star Gospel Session (1987)
* Graceland: The African Concert (1987)
* Paul Simon's Concert in the Park (1991)
* Born at the Right Time (1992)
* Classic Albums: Graceland (1997)
* The Capeman (theater, 1998)
* You're The One - In Concert (2000)
* Live at the Tower Theatre 2003
* Paul Simon and Friends: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song (2009)
* So Beautiful or So What (Deluxe Limited Edition) (2011)
* Live in New York City (2012)
* Paul Simon's Graceland Journey: Under African Skies (2012)
* The Concert in Hyde Park (2017)
* In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon (2023)

Tours|

* One-Trick Pony Tour 1980
* Never Ending Tour 1999
* On Stage Together Tour

Related|

* Simon & Garfunkel
* Edie Brickell (wife)
* Harper Simon (son)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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