Archie Shepp – Attica Blues/Steam
Archie Shepp – Blues For Brother George Jackson
When earlier this week Troy Davis was executed in Georgia, despite some serious doubts in his case, I knew that I would be starting off this week’s show with a comment about it and some songs in honor of Troy and others who remain on Death Row despite the distinct possibility of their innocence. Without even having to go through my records, this one immediately came to mind (in fact, this record was unshelved in a pile of records by my shelfs, and the record in front of it had fallen down, as if the record itself wanted to draw my attention to it). Archie Shepp recorded Attica Blues in 1972 in the wake of one of the darkest periods in the history of the American penal system, the Attica Prison Riots of 1971. The song remains an indictment of not simply the prison system, but more particularly the injustices that arise from inequality in the larger society, something that is most reflected in the people we incarcerate and execute, who are disproportionately poor and men of color. Musically, “Attica Blues” is perhaps the closest thing to a “riot” in sound that’s ever been recorded, the heavy rhythm churns out from the start, strings add this almost spine-tingling tension, and then when the voices, horns and percussion join together, it sounds literally like an explosion. Thrilling, enthralling and almost frightening all at the same time, the song sounds like nothing else I can think of, truly unique.
In addition to the music and the beyond passionate vocals from Henry Hull, Joshie Armstead and Albetine Robinson, there is a short recitation that follows the chorus from much revered lawyer William Kunstler, perhaps best known as one of the lawyers from the Chicago 8.
Only when Nature doesn’t take it’s natural toll, am I worried with the Human Soul,
Some people think that they are in their rights, when on command they take a black man’s life,
Well, let me give a rundown on how I feel, if it ain’t natural, then it ain’t real,
I wish I were better…
Something about that “I wish I were better” line has always haunted to me, in light of Troy Davis’ execution it makes me think of the legal system and the zeal with which so many Americans still seem to suport the death penalty, even though, as appears to be the case here, we have undoubtedly put to death innocent people…for them and for Mr. Davis, I wish we were better…
“Attica Blues” is mixed on the album to flow directly into “Steam” a song that, lyrically, perplexed me for a long time, until I found out that Archie Shepp’s brother’s nickname was “Steam”. The song is dedicated to him, a victim of violence, and I’d rank it as one of the most beautiful compositions of Shepp’s career as well as one of the most touching tributes I’ve ever heard.
Also included is a tribute to “Soledad Brother” George Jackson (born 70 years ago today), who’s killing in August of 1971 sparked the riots at Attica a month later. “Blues for Brother Jackson” is a 20+ strong big band instrumental with a fiercely funky backdrop provided by Beaver Harris (drums), Walter Davis (piano) and Roland Wilson (bass). Along with the other material on the album, much of it written by Cal Massey along with Shepp & Harris, it serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done in order to make sure that “every man [can] walk this earth on equal conditions, [and] every child could do more than just dream of the stars.”
Peace be with you all,
Michael
