Paul Simon - Songs from The Capeman (1997)

This is a collection of songs written by Paul Simon and Derek Walcott for their Broadway Musical, "The Capeman." When Paul Simon released GRACELAND, it seemed like the apex of an already impressive career. A few years later, he compounded expectations by extending both his reach and his grasp with the Brazilian-tinged RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS. Continuing his tradition of raising the aesthetic bar, Simon explores new vistas yet again with SONGS FROM THE CAPEMAN. The album features his versions of the songs he wrote with poet Derek Walcott for the play THE CAPEMAN. Based on the exploits of a street gang character of the same name, THE CAPEMAN incorporates several different musical styles into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts (a method to which Simon is no stranger). In the songs that make up the bulk of the storyline, there's street-corner doowop (one of Simon's early loves), Latin music and of course the sophisticated harmonic sensibilities that mark THE CAPEMAN indelibly as a Paul Simon project. Recorded at The Hit Factory, New York, New York. Paul Simon (vocals, acoustic & hi string guitars); Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony, Ednita Nazario, Frank Negron, Myrna Gomila, Teana Rodriguez, Sara Ramirez (vocals); Arlen Roth (acoustic & electric guitars); Vincent Nguini, Steve Cropper (guitar); Oriente Lopez (flute, Fender Rhodes piano, organ); David Rodriguez, Ray Vega (trumpet); Oscar Hernadez (piano, celeste, synthesizer, vibraphone, glockenspiel); John Beal (bass); Robby Ameen, Richard Crooks (drums); Milton Cardona (congas, bongos, maracas, clave, guira); Marc Quinones (timbales, congas, cua); Bobby Allende (bongos, cymbal, bell tree); Briz, Myrna Gomila, Karen Gernod, Renee Connell-Adams, DeWayne Snype, Kia Jeffries, Ed Vasquez, Derrick James, Danny Rivera (background vocals).Rolling Stone (11/27/97, pp.106-107) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...terrifically satisfying. Simon has found a surprisingly effective musical voice--intermingling doo-wop, traditional Latin styles and art-song sophistication..." Entertainment Weekly (11/21/97, p.131) - "...it's a complex and subtly exuberant piece of work....For all its Eisenhower-era harmonizing and crime-story characters, SONGS FROM THE CAPEMAN ultimately feels like an old-fangled Paul Simon album, which may be its most endearing quality..."- Rating: A- (CD-Universe)



Tracks:

1. Paul Simon - Adios Hermanos (4:42)
2. Paul Simon - Born In Puerto Rico (5:03)
3. Paul Simon - Satin Summer Nights (5:45)
4. Paul Simon - Bernadette (3:34)
5. Paul Simon - The Vampires (5:14)
6. Paul Simon - Quality (4:18)
7. Paul Simon - Can I Forgive Him (6:02)
8. Paul Simon - Sunday Afternoon (3:25)
9. Paul Simon - Killer Wants To Go To College (1:51)
10. Paul Simon - Time Is An Ocean (5:23)
11. Paul Simon - Virgil (2:49)
12. Paul Simon - Killer Wants To Go To College II (2:09)
13. Paul Simon - Trailways Bus (5:15)