QUICK TAKES - April 17, 2009

He never sang to the feds, but it turns out Al Capone had a song in his heart. All it took was a stint in Alcatraz to bring it out.

Now, more than 70 years later, the tender love song that the ruthless crime boss penned while sitting in the pen is being recorded and released on CD. And an inscribed copy of the music and lyrics to “Madonna Mia” is up for sale at $65,000.

“It’s a beautiful song, a tear-jerker,” said Rich Larsen of Caponefanclub.com. For the last eight months or so, Larsen and a producer have been recording the song, with two singers backed by a mandolin, accordion, violin, piano and stand-up bass. Larsen said the CD should be on sale next month.

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Associated Press