Songs From The Capeman

This album proves how much Paul Simon is in control of his music. The previous album, Rhythm of the Saints, had very few 'tunes' and relied more on feel (not that there's anything wrong with that). But when he decided to write songs for a show, you can almost hear him say 'They've got to be commercial tunes, so I'll write an albumful of them!' And that's what he's done! Songs like Bernadette, Quality, Crosstown Bus, even Killer Wants To Go To College - songs which are easy to remember, and enjoyable to listen to. The only pity are the lyrics, which of course all have to have the same subject. Maybe he could re-record the songs with lyrics appropriate to each tune? No hope, which is a shame. Also a shame was that this is the only album that didn't feature in his recent tour - again, a song like Bernadette would have been great to hear, and would prove (as if he needs to!) that he's not ashamed of the album. Buy it and enjoy!

The Capeman on Broadway was labelled a troubled production long before it opened onto the stage. Six years and millions of dollars in the making, the critics slated it, the punters stayed away, and the show eventually closed after only 10 weeks and 68 performances. The wave of controversy and hysteria that ensued can only be attributed to the very real horror that is the root of this album. Nevertheless, 'Songs from the Capeman' is a wonderfully musical, and ultimately perplexing album. Complex in its compositions, it is every bit as adventurous as any Paul Simon project to date, and deserves close examination in order to be fully appreciated. The Capeman tells the true story of a sixteen-year-old Puerto Rican child, Salvador Agron, convicted of a horrific double murder in 1959. Branded as the 'Capeman' by an unforgiving press, Agron was the youngest member of a gang calling themselves 'The vampires' from the upper west side of New York, his name derived from the black cape he wore on the day of the murders. Agron became a symbol of evil in the eyes of the public. Apparently remorseless, he appeared to reflect all that the public didn't want to see within a society with its values in tatters. He became the youngest person ever to be sentenced to death in the electric chair, but was pardoned just six days before the scheduled execution. Salvador Agron died of a heart attack in 1986, whilst living with his mother and sister in the Bronx. This album is a disturbingly warm narrative, lending itself to a mixture of emotions one would not readily associate with the facts of the story. However, Simons writing effectively steers the listener away from the hatred of the case, and places them firmly inside the life of a young man who's life consisted largely of persecution, prejudice and violence. The public said that the musical glorified murder, without fully appreciating what the lyrics were trying to say. They speak of love (Bernadette), hatred (The Vampires), guilt, remorse and forgiveness (Can I Forgive Him). They result in the listener travelling the same emotional path that public of 1959 did, but reaching one step further, and forgiving Agron for his crime. In many ways The Capeman is simply a vehicle for Simon to express his views on society and convey his message. Associated Press described the show as 'Underdeveloped', by the New York Daily Times as 'skimpy', and as a 'mortally wounded animal' by the New York Times, yet the reality of this album is quite different. The all too crucial factor is that we hold The Capeman as an accomplished work in its own right, and keep the distinction between the crime and the message in sharp focus. Paul Simons' music should be applauded in every respect, and one wonders where his next source of inspiration will lie. For now, though, enjoy this album, listen and appreciate it for what it really is. Paul Simon stated, "It was a privilege for me to work in this way and do this". It's also a privilege for us to listen. It is most definitely the work of a person who still has a great deal to say. If wonderful creativity, culture and intelligent writing are your thing, go out and buy this album. If not, you're missing out.

The first time I heard this I wasn't wild about it, but upon repeated listenings it has become one of my favorites. The songs are as good as any Paul Simon has ever written. Listen to the samples yourself. Attention fans of Latin singer Marc Anthony: he also sings on this CD. I also have the original Broadway cast CD (one of the 900 promotional copies that were ever distributed), and this Paul Simon CD is a good introduction until the OBC is released.