The music of South Africa’s urban townships (‘mbaqanga‘) jolted Paul Simon out of his creative malaise, resulting in his seminal, kaleidoscopic, and controversial Graceland (1986) album. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the album was performed in full at this BBC Proms event, stewarded by Nu Civilisation Orchestra director Peter Edwards. The organisers pulled off quite the coup by securing the dynamic Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who performed on the record and thrilled this evening’s audience with their energetic choreography and riveting isicathamiya vocalising. The a cappella ‘Homeless’, with soulful interjections from guest vocalist Laura Mvula, was a highlight in a series of largely faithful, straightforward readings, lifted by strong musicianship and indelible audience enthusiasm. Singer-songwriter James Bay delivered ‘The Boy in the Bubble’ with the requisite rhythmic attack, even if the Royal Albert Hall’s occasionally muddy sound mix obscured some of Simon’s clever lyricism. The duo Flyte harmonised beautifully on ‘Under African Skies’, even if I was slightly disarmed by the absence of a soprano vocal a la Linda Ronstadt. I wondered whether the late advertised start of 10.15pm would limit attendance. Fear not, the hall was packed. The finale of ‘You Can Call Me Al’ brought the house down.