Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Beausoleil Explains his "Orkustra" Project
I had recently arrived in San Francisco when, in the fall of 1965, I conceived of assembling what I described then as “the first electrified symphony orchestra.” My 18th birthday had just passed and I possessed only modest abilities as a musician, but, being prone to such crazy notions, the concept seemed perfectly reasonable-this was the Haight-Ashbury of the mid-sixties, after all! A few months later a stable musical ensemble somewhat resembling my original conception had come into existence.

What I had imagined would be an “orchestra” of a dozen-or-so musicians proved in practice to be unmanageable. Instead, a coalition of five instrumentalists from various musical traditions (rock, classical, jazz, folk and blues) emerged as the core group. For what was essentially a reconceived rock band, the instrumentation was extremely unusual, comprising some combination of violin, oboe, standup bass, guitar, bouzouki, flute, organ, drums and percussion. All of the melodic instruments were modified for electric amplification.

The Orkustra’s brief day in the sun did not allow an opportunity to record a formal album. However, some recordings of the band’s practice sessions and live performances were made. These precious few artifacts have been carefully restored and compiled by Mexican Summer into a comprehensive double LP album.

Bobby BeauSoleil
Summer 2009
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Side 1:
Flash Gordon
Bombay Calling
Punjab's Barber

Side 2:
Gypsy Odyssey (Performed Live at St. John's Church Christmas Eve, 1966)

Side 3:
Bouzouki Blues Experiment
Hungarian Stomp
Flash Gordon (A Practice Session)
Freeform Improvisation (While Watching An Experimental Underground Film)

Side 4:
Flute Player Audition (Practice Jam Session)
Dancing In The Park
Gypsy Odyssey (Practice Session)
Submitted by Kimchi.  Thanks Kimchi!

9 comments:

Kimchi said...

Hi Bobby -

I have no insight about Bobby's website, only a guess...maybe something to do with that movie he's credited with "consultant"...maybe part of the deal was removing comments, history, etc...from the public until after the film is made...who knows..one can only guess...

Haha... still reading the book...yeah, I'm slow :)

I'll comment soon about the book...you're a good listener!!!

LynyrdSkynyrdBand said...

Hi Bob.

Here's the movie Kimchi is referring to (link below):

Bobby is listed as "Script Research Consultant".

http://www.lsb3.com/2011/12/bobby-beausoleil-to-be-script-research.html

LynyrdSkynyrdBand said...

Bob...

I have no "inside information" as to why Beausoleil decided to remove much content... including interviews... from his website.

I do however, have an opinion... which is this:

Bobby HAS to be thinking at this point... (if he's EVER going to be paroled at all)... the time has GOT to be nearing.
If not now... when?

I mean...
I have no idea what the average "time served" actually is for murder (in terms of years spent in jail)... but, my guess, is that... at 40+ years... Bobby HAS to be at the top side of that statistic.

Does anyone have figures on what the average length of incarceration is, for a murder conviction (carrying "possibility of parole") nationwide?
I would be astounded, if that figure were 50+ years.

Anyway... in light of that thought...

I believe Bobby has come to the realization that having all that content on his website... is not beneficial to him, in terms of a parole bid.
The content (formerly on his website) may not have hurt him... but, it certainly wasn't helpful (to him) by any means.
So... the question becomes:
Why bother?

The further Bobby can distance himself from the history of his crime... and "Manson"... the better.

Obscurity is certainly not possible in Bobby's situation... but... working towards that goal... no matter how miniscule, can only benefit him.

Let's bear in mind:
Bobby has told a few versions of the "events" regarding Hinman's death over the years.
Having the general public pouring over his old interviews... which include references to "Manson"... is nothing that should interest Bobby.
It may be interesting to us.
But, how does Bobby benefit?

Bottom line:
I think Bobby has decided... that although interesting to others... reminding the public of his asociation with Manson... and his several "versions of the story"... is not in his best interest.
I have to agree with him.

I've always said:
"Once Manson is dead... all these folks will have a better chance at parole, with each passing year".

Let's face it...

I have no idea what the average 'time served" is for murder... but, if Bobby murdered a black gas station attendant in South Dakota in the late 60's... he'd probably be released by now.
It's the "Manson" stigma which keeps Beausoleil in jail.

I'm not a big Manson or Beausoleil supporter... OR, a big fan of the catch phrase "political prisoner"... but in Bobby's case... from a purely statistical standpoint... it's simply the truth.
He's remains in jail, because of "association".

All the stuff that was on his website, only perpetuates that "association"... and hence (I believe)... is to his detriment.
(I believe) any lawyer worth his salt, would tell him to shitcan that stuff. LOL

My humble opinion...

LynyrdSkynyrdBand said...

I want to apologize to everyone for my absence recently.
I've been "under the weather" for days.
In plain english... "feeling like shit". LOL

It's some kind of miserable cold/flu thing that just won't go away.
The gift that just keeps giving...

leary7 said...

Yours is a humble opinion but also solid and logical Lynyrd. You know how they have 'jury consultants' for trials, I wonder if there are parole consultants. I suppose the lawyer fills that role but it would be interesting to see a parole effort run like a political campaign.
Someone should have that stat about the average length of time served for murder in U.S. but I want to guess it is something like 17 years, allot less than one might think.
Funny to think how if TLB had happened up in Vancouver for example all the killers most likely would be out by now. Even Tex the asshole. Dem Canadians are just to damn nice.

leary7 said...

I don't want to be a parole consultant, but I did find out last night from my friend Michelle who decorates cakes that there is a call for professional cake cutters. I can't let eight years of college and grad school go to waste, sign me up. I always wanted to be a crouton critic but pro cake cutter sounds cool too.

Bing said...

leary7 said...
Funny to think how if TLB had happened up in Vancouver for example all the killers most likely would be out by now. Even Tex the asshole. Dem Canadians are just to damn nice.


I dont know what you base that statment on because anyone convicted of first degree murder in Canada is sententenced to life-25.meaning u have to serve a minimum of 25 years before even becoming eligible for parole.

Kimchi said...

Good comment Lynyrd...

I guess until we know (which is unlikely)what happened at his last parole hearing, we can only speculate what his thoughts or reasons (really his wife's)for taking the stuff off his blog...

But like Lynyrd said, the denial, etc., seems to center around the Manson association. We can only speculate, I don't know how to get the parole hearing transcripts (from Oregon)and I don't know anyone that has. Maybe they are public record...I don't know.

All this came about around the same time.. his last parole hearing, then the consultant thing, then taking down the website (per se)...

katie8753 said...

Lynyrd I hope you get to feeling better. :)

Old-fashioned remedy: 2 shots of Jack Daniels and under the covers for the night. You'll wake up feeling fine tomorrow. LOL.

I'll send you that thread we discussed tomorrow. I think I'll just chill tonight....