Paul Simon

Even though Paul Simon's excessive Broadway production The Capeman incited bloodlust among critics, the songs from the production are not without reward. The problem here is that Simon, long loved for his arching and elegant melodies, suffers from indulgent choral orchestrations and a flimsy theatrical narrative that oozes liberal guilt. Since these songs are beholden to that story, they go down with the ship, and, even though "Time is an Ocean" and "Born in Puerto Rico" are highlights, they're relatively dim amid Simon's long and distinguished career.

Songs from 'The Capeman' is a mongrel project. It isn't the score for the Broadway musical
written by Paul Simon and novelist/poet Derek Walcott, but 13 songs (out of 30-odd)
selected from the show. Simon himself, not the cast members, sings most, but not all, of
these tunes – which makes it an odd preview of a musical that won't open until January.
That said, the album is terrifically satisfying. Simon has found a surprisingly effec... More >