ROBERT HILBURN : ‘GRACELAND’ WINS IN POP CRITICS’ POLL

Paul Simon can take another bow.

After having seen his “Graceland” LP declared album of the year at Tuesday night’s Grammy Awards ceremony, the veteran singer-songwriter completes a rare sweep this week by receiving the endorsement of the nation’s pop and rock critics.

“Graceland” was the landslide winner in the Village Voice’s annual poll of 224 newspaper and magazine critics. The LP registered 1,131 points in the Voice’s scoring system--almost 400 points more than the runner-up album, Elvis Costello’s “King of America.”

The victory marked only the second time in the 13-year history of the poll that the critics and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences members--who vote on the Grammys--have agreed on the best album. The other double winner: Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” in 1976.

But the impact of the “Graceland” sweep goes even deeper than those statistics. By focusing attention on South African music, the LP deserves an assist for another album making the critics’ Top 10.

“The Indestructible Beat of Soweto,” which finished tied for 9th in the poll, is a sampler of mbaqanga dance music--one of the styles featured on “Graceland.” The sampler, released by Shanachie Records, features 12 selections that were recorded between 1981 and 1984 by various South African artists.

The Voice survey, the closest thing in the pop world to the critical overview given by such groups as the National Society of Film Critics, invites each critic to divide 100 points among their 10 favorite albums--giving no album more than 30 or less than 5.

The biggest surprise was the showing by young blues singer-guitarist Robert Cray, whose “Strong Persuader” album finished third, ahead of the Bruce Springsteen live set and Peter Gabriel’s “So” album. The latter edged out “Graceland” to win The Times’ year-end poll of 18 of its pop contributors.

This year’s Village Voice poll results, including the number of points each album received:

1. Paul Simon’s “Graceland” (1,131 points).

2. Elvis Costello’s “King of America” (746).

3. Robert Cray’s “Strong Persuader” (592).

4. Bruce Springsteen’s “Live/1975-85” (540).

5. Run-D.M.C.’s “Raising Hell” (537).

6. Beastie Boys’ “Licensed to Ill” (517).

7. Peter Gabriel’s “So” (459).

8. R.E.M.’s “Lifes Rich Pageant” (433).

9. (tie) Elvis Costello’s “Blood and Chocolate” and the “Indestructible Beat of Soweto” sampler (both 419).

The second 10, in order: Janet Jackson’s “Control” (373), Husker Du’s “Candy Apple Grey” (372), Steve Earle’s “Guitar Town” (330), the Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Psychocandy” (308), Mekons’ “The Edge of the World” (303), Peter Case’s “Peter Case” (287), Billy Bragg’s “Talking With the Taxman About Poetry” (276), the Pogues’ “Rum, Sodomy and the Lash” (269), Pat Metheny and Ornette Coleman’s “Song X” (248) and the Feelies’ “The Good Earth” (242).

In the singles category, Run-D.M.C’s rap ‘n’ metal sensation “Walk This Way” was the favorite of the pop critics. In this competition, critics were simply asked to vote for the 10 favorites. “Walk This Way” was cited on 78 ballots, 10 more than the runner-up, Cameo’s “Word Up.”

The rest of the Top 10, in order: Prince’s “Kiss,” Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer,” a three-way tie between Billy Bragg’s “Levi Stubbs’ Tears,” R.E.M.’s “Fall on Me” and Timbuk 3’s “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades,” then Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” (the Grammy winner for best single) and another tie: Public Image Ltd.’s “Rise” and Talking Heads’ “Wild Wild Life.”

In other categories, Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” was judged the year’s best video, while Rhino Records’ Neville Brothers collection, “Treacherous,” was voted the best reissue.

CD DIGEST I: Columbia Records is coming out with a budget-priced CD line in late March, but don’t look for best-sellers by the Boss or the Beastie Boys. The line, designed to sell for $10 or less, features items from w-a-y back in the catalogue. Among the artists featured in greatest hits packages: Lynn Anderson, the Brothers Four, Doris Day, Dion, Percy Faith, Frankie Laine, Mitch Miller and Patti Page. Several other labels are also expected to announce $10 lines shortly.

CD DIGEST II: Motown’s timing is ideal in releasing two compact discs by Duane Eddy, whose twangy, deep-toned guitar style was one of the most appealing and influential sounds in early rock. Among his dozen Top 40 hits in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s: “Rebel Rouser,” “Forty Miles of Bad Road” and “Peter Gunn.” Eddy was reintroduced to rock audiences last year when the British trio Art of Noise invited him to play guitar on its remake of “Peter Gunn.” The record won a Grammy on Tuesday night as the year’s best rock instrumental. Motown offers a choice of Eddy’s “21 Greatest Hits,” a 44-minute package that includes all his hits on Jamie Records, or two of Eddy’s old Jamie albums in a single 70-minute CD package. Warning: Eddy’s great sound was frequently wasted on corny material, including a spinoff of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” and “Dixie.”

CD DIGEST III: Besides the first four Beatles albums, new CD releases include the Beastie Boys’ “Licensed to Ill,” Alice Cooper’s “Billion Dollar Babies,” Pink Floyd’s “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,” Genesis’ “Wind and Wuthering,” Don McLean’s “American Pie,” Miles Davis’ “Bitches Brew” and “Sketches of Spain,” the Waterboys’ “This Is the Sea” and Barbra Streisand’s “People.”

LIVE ACTION: Eric Clapton, with a band featuring Phil Collins on drums, and Robert Cray will be at the Pacific Amphitheatre on April 13 and at the Forum on April 14. Tickets for both shows go on sale Sunday. . . . Tickets will also be available Sunday for the Ratt and Poison bill scheduled for April 10 at the Long Beach Arena. . . . Stryper headlines April 25 at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre. . . . Freddie Jackson has added a third show (March 14) to his Universal Amphitheatre engagement. . . . Chris Isaak will be at the Roxy on March 31. . . . The Wailers will make a rare local appearances, Wednesday at the Country Club and March 8 at the Roxy.”