The Original Freak Folk
April 13, 2007
Charles Manson, known more so for his murderous direction of his followers, than for his musical career and connection to The Beach Boys Dennis Wilson. What finer a day than Friday the 13th to put on your favorite Manson Family album? Today I have two tracks from his now infamous demo tape recorded in 1968 by Phil Kaufman and more commonly known as Lie. What’s most unsettling about them I think occurs after one listens to them. The songs have a sense of hope and sincerity to them and without knowing what was to follow their recording, one could easily mistake them for any other endearing folk artist. Play them for a friend without first telling them who they’re by and I’m sure you’d be hard pressed to find someone that didn’t think they have nice melodies to them. Having read about the Manson Family murders beforehand, it actually took me a little bit of time before I worked up enough courage to listen to them and once I did I was (begrudgingly) pleasantly surprised. I would never try to make light of the murders he was involved with but try to cast all of that aside for just a moment to give the songs a listen. I find the psychological aspects and deep history to it all fascinating. It’s difficult to say what would of happened if he had been signed instead of rejected by the music industry. To read more about Charles Manson before - and after “The Manson Family” head over to CharlieManson.com. Check out these two tracks from Charles Manson’s album Lie: The Love & Terror Cult
