On August 1, 1966 at 11:48 in the morning Charles Whitman took his first shot from The University of Texas at Austin Clocktower. Earlier in the morning he murdered his mother and wife leaving a note that read:
"I imagine it appears that I brutally killed both of my loved ones. I was only trying to do a quick thorough job...If my life insurance policy is valid please pay off my debts...donate the rest anonymously to a mental health foundation. Maybe research can prevent further tragedies of this type"
Charles would eventually murder 14 people and injure 32 more before his life was taken by Sheriffs. His entire life was marked by mental problems, addiction and abuse.
Usually when musicians and artists indulge in political dialogue and encompass it into their work it reeks of stupidity and hypocrisy. I love CSN but in their political ramblings I always think of a fat, gluttonous, heroin addicted David Crosby sailing on his restored wooden yacht through the waters of Mexico. The only person who is and never was inflicted by this disease was Harry Chapin, who was not only a brilliant songwriter but a humanitarian. Harry gave everything away, one third of his concert proceeds went to charities, and even though he married a New York socialite, upon his death they were close to penniless; his widow saying:
"Harry was supporting 17 relatives, 14 associations, seven foundations and 82 charities. Harry wasn't interested in saving money. He always said, 'Money is for people,' so he gave it away."
Harry didn't die choking on his own vomit or OD'ing on junk, booze or crank; he wasn't shot by a jaded lover nor falling out of a hotel window after ripping walls apart. He was crushed and burned to death in his 1975 Volkswagen Rabbit on the FDR by a tractor trailer at age 38.
The music he left behind is a testament to emotional songwriting "Cats in the Cradle" and "Taxi" possess a sensitivity and Epictetus-like stoicism. In "Sniper" those traits are evident but they are combined with a rage rarely seen before in his performances. In this ten minute long song comprised of no less than twelve different chord progressions Harry lets loose the rage and horror of a man who senselessly murdered people in cold blood. I have always thought of it as two songs combined into one, there is the chronological narrative about the events of the day mixed in between introspective thoughts of the Sniper and those who he has known throughout his life. The narrative voice builds in intensity during those ten minutes while the thoughts serve as a conduit for reigning the escalation back into control.
The song is blunt and straightforward in its ugliness, verses such as:
"The first words he spoke took the town by surprise.
One got Mrs. Gibbons above her right eye.
It blew her through the window wedged her against the door.
Reality poured from her face, staining the floor"
Convey a true sense of not only the horror of the day but through their simplicity give a lucid display of what exactly happens when one is shot. The bullet destroys everything in its path.
This song is not a top down drive into the sun tune, nor a gin swizzling sitting at the bar night of misery anthem. This song is Dostoevsky or Bolano, you have to give it the respect and attention it deserves; if you engage it the piece will reward you in ways you never thought music could. So throw it on, it will be ten minutes of contemplation you'll thank yourself for, when it's over, throw on "Taxi" again as an aperitif to a Thomas Keller-like music experience.
