Mel Smith as Paul Simon in 'Alas Smith and Jones' (Series 4, Show 7 - 26 November 1987). Peter Brewis' marvellous 'Graceland' parody, presented here without the audience track.
First section is mainly 'I Know What I Know' (a song which even includes a line about a "cinematographer's party"). Then into 'Boy In The Bubble', and 'You Can Call Me Al', via all those brilliant Ladysmith Black Mambazo choral send-ups (Check out the song 'Homeless' for the origins of the "hopeless..." refrain) - although there are also obvious refs to Londonbeat's '9 A.M (The Comfort Zone)', and a sneaky Harry Belafonte cribbing ("Day-o") too.
I wonder if "archangels in the architraves" is a reference to Crazy Love? More likely a reference to the "angels in the architecture" from Call Me Al, though. It's a marvelous parody because on the one hand it's blatantly "dissing" Paul (always thought that "hopeless" refrain at the end was a bit harsh!) and yet they clearly had to listen to Graceland multiple times to not just write superb parody lyrics, but also get the feel of the music right. As a Simon fan, it's impossible to get offended by such an in-depth pisstake - it's simultaneously venomous and yet no more harmful than a playful nudge with the elbow. Is it me, or are we Brits better at this kind of parody than anybody else (and is it too controversial to say Phil Pope and Peter Brewis are better on that front than, say, Weird Al Yankovic?)?
The second song sounds pretty close to an actual one, can anybody clue me in? I get that it segues into a Call Me Al parody, but the beginning of it sounds specifically like something else.
It's taking the proverbial out of the whole Graceland album. It's amazing that more didn't. It truly is a condescending and unintentionally racist album.
RIP Mel Smith
This is great xD very funny.
First section is mainly 'I Know What I Know' (a song which even includes a line about a "cinematographer's party"). Then into 'Boy In The Bubble', and 'You Can Call Me Al', via all those brilliant Ladysmith Black Mambazo choral send-ups (Check out the song 'Homeless' for the origins of the "hopeless..." refrain) - although there are also obvious refs to Londonbeat's '9 A.M (The Comfort Zone)', and a sneaky Harry Belafonte cribbing ("Day-o") too.
I wonder if "archangels in the architraves" is a reference to Crazy Love? More likely a reference to the "angels in the architecture" from Call Me Al, though.
It's a marvelous parody because on the one hand it's blatantly "dissing" Paul (always thought that "hopeless" refrain at the end was a bit harsh!) and yet they clearly had to listen to Graceland multiple times to not just write superb parody lyrics, but also get the feel of the music right. As a Simon fan, it's impossible to get offended by such an in-depth pisstake - it's simultaneously venomous and yet no more harmful than a playful nudge with the elbow. Is it me, or are we Brits better at this kind of parody than anybody else (and is it too controversial to say Phil Pope and Peter Brewis are better on that front than, say, Weird Al Yankovic?)?
Peter Brewis used to have a website which included an MP3 from his original tapes - I dubbed that over the broadcast version.
I did wonder why there was no audience laughter, as I’m 100% certain there was in the original broadcast!
😂😂😂😂 excellent!!!
Very clever!
Very good 🤣
"Aren't you the guy who sings like a castrati?" :D
'The Boy In The Bubble', I believe.
Covers most of the album I think :)
Close to as good as the mocked original.
The second song sounds pretty close to an actual one, can anybody clue me in?
I get that it segues into a Call Me Al parody, but the beginning of it sounds specifically like something else.
I believe it’s The Boy In The Bubble.
It's taking the proverbial out of the whole Graceland album.
It's amazing that more didn't.
It truly is a condescending and
unintentionally racist album.