Album of the Week, Sept. 1, 2021: Paul Simon's Songs from The Capeman

Wed, 09/01/2021 - 4:00pm | Pieter Pastoor

Music programs are only online for two weeks after they are broadcast.

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The Capeman is a musical play with music by Paul Simon, and book and lyrics by Simon and Derek Walcott, based on the life of convicted murderer Salvador Agrón. The play opened at the Marquis Theatre in 1998 to poor reviews and ran for 68 performances. A blend of doo-wop, gospel, and Latin music, it received Tony Award nominations for Best Original Score, Best Orchestrations and Best Scenic Design. Renoly Santiago received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical. Ednita Nazario won the Theater World Award for her performance.

In 2008, Simon and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra performed The Capeman at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with some of the original cast and other well-known artists. He also devoted a section of his two-night performances at the Beacon Theatre to The Capeman. The NY Public Theater presented a concert production of the musical in summer 2010 at Central Park's Delacorte Theater, directed by Diane Paulus.

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About Frank aka Dr Doowop Fox

Born on a mountain top , no no Brooklyn Brownsville East NY, raised on Jewish , African American and Latin music from the moment my ears were aware. Founder and vocal arranger for Frankie and The Fabletones, , acappella ensembles AKA, Spirit Feel, Full House, Doo Wop after Dark. Back in the 20th, hit recordings of Unchained Melody and Gloria and novelty versions of Hello Dolly and High Noon, with Vito and The Salutations. Been singing ever since i can recall, love to sing everything but especially the blues. Singing harmony instructor since 1956- in Davis since 1983, classes at Learning Exchange Experimental College Davis Art Center, currently pursuing a new career as a KDRT DJ.

About Nancy Flagg

Nancy (Western Nan) hosted the "Cowboy Spirit" program, with Jen, in the early days of KDRT. Nancy is now back with the "Cowboy Tracks" program. She's on a mission to preserve and promote the cowboy/western music heritage and to offer western music, western swing and cowboy poetry as a healing balm for today's hectic world.

About Wayne Hagen

Wayne is a founding member of the California Jug Band Association (CJBA) and a member of its Board of Directors. In 2002 Wayne and his banjo-playing buddy Andy began the International Jug Band Festival in Sutter Creek, California. The festival has given birth to new jug band festivals as far away as Louisville, Kentucky, as well as the CJBA.

Wayne has been playing jug since 1979 and he'll pull out his jug and play with anyone. He also tries to play the mandolin and is a big fan of Vol Stevens and Yank Rachell. His passion for jug band music has turned him into a walking encyclopedia of the genre. Go ahead, ask him a question -- we dare ya. He says that getting a chance to share his love for jug band music on KDRT is a great joy.