'Like most politicians, she was driven by psychological angels and demons', writes US-based musician and artist David Byrne of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady ofthe Philippines. 'Sometimes one side would win, and sometimes the other.' Byrne visits both angels and demons in Here Lies Love, a concept album 'musical' about Imelda Marcos' life.
From the outset, Byrne runs the risk of deifying a monster. He presents a largely upbeat package of songs, and this would seem to conflict with the historical reality. According to human rights groups, more than 1000 people were assassinated without trial, and up to 35,000 were tortured, under martial law instigated during the Marcos reign. Imelda's infamous 3000 pairs of shoes were only the most benign symbol of the regime's excesses.
But Byrne is aware of the inherent ironies. The glorious title track (performed by Florence Welch) has Imelda recalling her early life from a modern-day dance floor. The phrase repeated during the anthemic chorus, 'Here lies love', is the epitaph Imelda famously wanted inscribed upon her grave stone. Immediately the album conflates themes of death and celebration. This is ostensibly a rags-to-riches story but, in Byrne's fable, ambition and excess are the hallmarks of the fatally flawed.
Byrne distills historical record, quotes and his own insights into 22 vignettes that signpost the significant events in Imelda's life and career. With English DJ and producer Fatboy Slim he has created songs that evoke the disco, funk and soul music of the 1970s (Imelda was, importantly, something of a disco junkie) while being thoroughly modern, even otherworldly in their theatricality.
We witness Imelda's troubled childhood, her friendship with housekeeper Estrella, her rejection by youthful beau Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, and her success as a local beauty queen. We are shown her marriage to future president Ferdinand Marcos, the early beneficence of their leadership, the eventual corruption of their regime, and the country's descent into chaos under martial law and the notorious Order 1081 established in 1972.
By casting a different performer for each song, the album caricatures the different emotional and psychological states of its characters at different stages in the story. Martha Wainwright croons Disney-like as young Imelda preparing to go out and face the world ('The Rose of Tacloban'). Santigold strikes a coquettish sneer as Imelda the 'champagne diplomat', drinking and dancing with world leaders as a means of forwarding Filipino interests ('Please Don't).
At times the casting is vital. 'The Whole