TCA's Collection
Charles Manson ??/??/1982
Chales Manson's Cell @ Vacaville Prison, Vacaville, CA
| Media | SHN 1 disc |
| Tech Notes | An album of the music of Charles Manson, Commemorating Sixty Years... was secretly recorded between 1982 and 1985 in Vacaville prison. Charles Manson sings and plays guitar on his own original songs in a minimalistic yet powerful style of blues. The echos of prison walls give this recording a feeling of awesome authenticity. Despite the primitive setup, the recording quality is excellent. The image of Manson as a wild-eyed, murderous maniac has been pounded into public consciousness and accepted without question by millions of people. This media-created persona has been recycled and regurgitated so many times that Charlie has ascended to icon status in our culture. But he is not the acid-freaked-out monster of Helter Skelter. He is a real, thinking, feeling human being who is the victim of a cruel punishment far out of proportion to his alleged crimes. But rather than spend this time setting the record straight on Charlie, I will instead focus on his music. This music is absolutely the last thing most people would expect to hear from Charles Manson. It is not the music of a gibbering madman. It is original, heartfelt blues played straight from the Soul. It is not music of hate, it is music of hope. Sure, at times Manson is cynical and angry, but he can also be tender and poignant, as when he describes the lonely death of a Hobo in Hobo's Lament. He is a surprisingly skilled musician, someone to whom music is more than just a passing fancy, it is life itself. The album is varied, with rockin tunes, slow songs, down-home blues, and some serious words from The Man himself. The overriding message is of life and survival. Manson is at his most defiant when he taunts the system that imprisons him in the final track I'm Free Now: "You couldn't get me killed, you motherfucking dogs!" Commemorating Sixty Years... is an incredible album. Forget everything you think you know about Charles Manson. This record is the personal statement in music of a man who has been more maligned than any other person in the 20th century. Manson's music is fascinating. It is raw. It is honest. It is a stunning example of the resistance of the human spirit and its will to survive. Discover the real Charles Manson through his music. |
| Trades Allowed | Yes |
| Ratings | Show: B38 Sound: B38 |
Owned by TCA
· Last Updated May 23, 2023
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