CITYist

Photo by Michael Wilson

Call it bizarre, but when it involves David Byrne of the Talking Heads, you may as well call it brilliant as well. Byrne is back with a 22-song double-disc CD and a 114-page clothbound book all about the life of, strangely, former Philippines First Lady Imelda Marcos—and signing the set in person next week at MOMA.

Called “Here Lies Love,” the music was composed by Byrne and British DJ Fatboy Slim (remember “The Rockafeller Skank?”). They made the affair a musical collaboration, with appearances by Cyndi Lauper, St. Vincent, Tori Amos, Santigold and the B-52’s Kate Pierson, to name a few. The album recounts the life of Imelda, which, famously, includes the fact that she reportedly owned 3,000 pairs of shoes.

The book portion of the project consists of essays, song lyrics and photos. Byrne also plans on rolling out a theatrical version in the U.S., reflecting the disco-feel of the album, which is an homage to Imelda’s former haunts like Studio 54.

Don’t miss your chance to meet and greet Byrne at the Museum of Modern Art next Tuesday, April 13th, from 5-6:30—and don’t forget to pick up a copy of “Here Lies Love” while you’re at it.