PENNY RIMBAUD
reads from
CHRIST'S REALITY ASYLUM
Spoken Word
THE VEIL OF MOTHER
THE VEIL OF FATHER
Christ's Reality Asylum was written in the Spring of 1977; Jubilee Year. I had just finished writing a book about a dear friend (Phil Russell) who as punishment for having organised the first Stonehenge Festival had been incarcerated in one of Her Majesty's psychiatric hospitals, and subsequently had died. At first I was pleased with the book but then I realised that I had written it largely in an attempt to placate my anger over Phil's death; it had failed. I plunged into an orgy of drink and destruction, and in an alchoholic haze burnt the book.
A couple of days later, bottle still in hand, I started to work on Asylum. The result was, I believe, seminal to the anarcho-punk movement which, riding on the back of Crass, was soon to evolve into an extraordinarily powerful and diverse voice of protest. From class war to the Peace Camps, few people would dispute the influence of Crass.
In retrospect, I realise that Asylum and Crass were the best way in which I could ahve avenged Phil's death. However, the battle is not over, indeed it has barely started...
Because Asylum seems as relevant today as it did 15 years ago, I decided to edit it and produce this recording. It is dedicated to all those continuing the struggle.
- Crass Records Final Release -