MP3:
1. The Blind Kids - Track 1 (3:41)
2. The Blind Kids - Track 2 (3:59)
3. The Blind Kids - Track 3 (41:25)
4. The Blind Kids - Track 4 (1:41)
I first heard these tracks in Austin, Texas, back in the early 1990s. They were part of a series of recordings by some kids at the Texas School for the Blind and/or the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, recorded with the assistance of members of Texas bands Crust and Cherubs, and distributed to friends on cassette. John Hawkins of Crust is the only person I am certain was involved, and all attempts to reach him have been futile. I've known John for many years, but from what I gather he doesn't use email, so if any of you know how to get in touch with him please see what you can do about helping to identify the people heard on these recordings.
The third track is a 40+ minute rant by an unnamed student who appears to be deeply resentful of a number of folks, and also his dog, Lily. No one is called out specifically (aside from the dog), though one might assume that the list includes Tonya Harding and Selena's assassin, Yolanda Saldivar. In addition to innumerable stern remonstrances, his soliloquy is laced with screaming fits of anger. Also, there are several increasingly humorous references to "Gretchen's house," which admittedly begins to sound a bit like Hell on Earth. The angry student also appears on the first song, which seems to be a synthesis of some of his more arresting complaints set to music. One of the kids is possibly named T.J., who may be the young man singing on the second song, a lively number concerning Reba McEntire, beer, robots, dinosaurs, Dracula, murder, and Arsenio Hall, and who (according to the angry guy) was viciously assaulted by someone, possibly Lily. Well, that about does it. Happy listening!
- Contributed by: Clayton Counts
Um, by the time the Star Spangled Banner rolls around, it's pretty devastating. Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Louisville Dan | June 29, 2007 at 09:30 AM
I downloaded the 41+minute rant, and it turned out only to be 11.5 minutes long. My sadness cannot be properly expressed in words. Other than that, this is GREAT! Is the whole of the rant about Tonya Harding, or just the beginning? It certainly is fun to imagine Tonya Harding sitting on the toilet and wrapping her up like a mummy.
Posted by: Chucky Destructo | June 29, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Hey Chucky, I don't know what's going on with the track. If you are still having trouble, you can download it from my blog.
Posted by: Clayton | June 29, 2007 at 06:47 PM
I quite like the first track, strange as it is: "I told you not to kill Selena...but you did!" I don't imagine I could listen to the entire 41 minute rant.
Posted by: Harry M Mollusc | July 13, 2007 at 05:00 AM
Hey Harry, I don't blame you for not listening to the rant, although you may be surprised at how easy it is. The frustrated countdown to Gretchen's house is particularly amusing.
Posted by: Clayton | July 13, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Well, I finally got around to listening to the rant. My favourite part is when he apologises...to his dog Lily, for hurting her feelings.
Posted by: Harry M Mollusc | February 26, 2008 at 10:03 AM