The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and all but one by hanging, making them the deadliest witch hunt in the history of colonial North America. The trials began in Salem Village (present-day Danvers, Massachusetts) in the Puritan colony of Massachusetts Bay, and quickly spread throughout the region. To date, historians have identified a total of 29 people who were formally accused of witchcraft, while over 200 were accused, arrested, and imprisoned throughout the course of the trials. The episode is one of Colonial America's most notorious cases of mass hysteria. The story of the Salem witch trials began in January 1692, when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft.
That the first Fall album in a near endless stream would not only not sound very punk at all but would be a downright pleasant listen (thanks to Yvonne Pawlett's electric piano on "Frightened") seems perfectly in keeping with Mark E. Smith's endlessly contrary mind. His inimitable drawl/moan and general vision of the universe (idiots are everywhere and idiotic things are rampant) similarly sprawl all over the music -- there's no question who this is or whose band it is, either. That said, most of Live at the Witch Trials is co-written with Martin Bramah, whose guitar work here is noticeably much more inclined to chime and ring instead of brutally scratch away like Craig Scanlon's awesome work would soon do. Bramah's not just here to sound tuneful, though, and the killer Marc Riley/Karl Burns rhythm section both keeps up the energy and provides surprising grooves. On chugging tracks like "Two Steps Back," it's not hard to tell that Smith's Krautrock fandom is coming into play. With Pawlett's keyboards providing a pretty garage kick on top of it all, the result is an all-around treat. Brilliantly scabrous tracks are everywhere, one of the most memorable being "Rebellious Jukebox," simultaneously one of the most tuneful and aggressive songs from the early lineup, Smith pouring it on along with the band. The driving funk of "Music Scene," meanwhile, redefines misanthropy (and more) with a particularly central Smith target in mind. "No Xmas for John Quays," meanwhile, almost establishes the Fall formula on its own: Smith chanting and yelling over a quick, semi-rockabilly shamble and attack punctuated by unexpected stops and starts.
The eight months separating the release of the two albums saw a huge lineup change, setting the pattern of perpetual upheaval that would become the Fall s constant. Smith s lyrics include his unique commentary on the music business Music Scene , poorly paid jobs Industrial Estate and drugs No Xmas For John Quays , Like To Blow , Frightened , Underground Medecin.
The story of the Salem witch trials began in January 1692, when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. The accusations quickly escalated, spreading throughout the community and resulting in the arrest and imprisonment of many individuals. The hearings were conducted by local magistrates, and they relied heavily on spectral evidence, which is testimony that a witch's spirit or specter appeared to someone.
The Fall: Live At The Witch Trials, 3CD Boxset
Fall (The)
The 3CD version comes housed in a clamshell boxset. Alongside the full album is a disc of b-sides and session tracks and a live show from Mr Pickwick’s in Liverpool 1978. The boxset also features a booklet of new sleeve notes by Daryl Easlea and has been remastered by long-term Fall engineer Andy Pearce.
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- Additional information
- Tracklist
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• The Fall’s first studio album, reissued as a 3CD clamshell box-set (Also available as a limited edition red coloured vinyl LP).
• Founded by its only constant member, Mark E. Smith, The Fall formed in Manchester in 1976 and were one of the most prominent post-punk groups in the world. Musically, there may have been several stylistic changes over the years, but it was often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, always underpinned by Smith’s distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.
• “They are always different; they are always the same…” John Peel
• Live At The Witch Trials is the debut studio album – released 16th March 1979 – these editions celebrate the fortieth anniversary of this seminal album.
• Originally released through record label Step-Forward, it was recorded in a single day and mixed by producer Bob Sargeant.
• Mark E. Smith’s lyrics include his unique commentary on the music business (‘Music Scene’), poorly paid jobs (‘Industrial Estate’) and drugs (‘No Xmas For John Quays’, ‘Like To Blow’, ‘Frightened’, ‘Underground Medecin’).
• Sounds magazine reviewer Dave McCullough gave it five stars at the time of release, writing: “an album of staggeringly rich, mature music, inner questioning hand in hand with rock and roll at its fiercest, its finest, its most honest, rock and roll at its naked, most stimulating”.
• Featuring the one and only Mark E. Smith alongside Martin Bramah, Marc Riley, Karl Burns and Yvonne Pawlett.
• This is first release in Cherry Red’s new series of deluxe Fall reissues: “Fall Sound Archive”.
• The 3CD version comes housed in a clamshell boxset. Alongside the full album is a disc of b-sides and session tracks and a live show from Mr Pickwick’s in Liverpool 1978. The boxset also features a booklet of new sleeve notes by Daryl Easlea and has been remastered by long-term Fall engineer Andy Pearce.
DISC ONE: CD
LIVE AT THE WITCH TRIALS
1. FRIGHTENED
2. CRAP RAP 2/LIKE TO BLOW
3. REBELLIOUS JUKEBOX
4. NO XMAS FOR JOHN QUAYS
5. MOTHER-SISTER!
6. INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
7. UNDERGROUND MEDECIN
8. TWO STEPS BACK
9. LIVE AT THE WITCH TRIALS
10. FUTURES AND PASTS
11. MUSIC SCENE
DISC TWO: CD
B-SIDES & SESSIONS
1. BINGO MASTER’S BREAK-OUT!
(BINGO MASTER’S BREAK-OUT! SINGLE)
2. PSYCHO MAFIA
(BINGO MASTER’S BREAK-OUT! SINGLE)
3. REPETITION
(BINGO MASTER’S BREAK-OUT! SINGLE)
4. IT’S THE NEW THING
(IT’S THE NEW THING SINGLE)
5. VARIOUS TIMES
(EXTENDED VERSION OF THE B-SIDE OF
IT’S THE NEW THING SINGLE)
6. DRESDEN DOLLS (HOME REHEARSALS FROM DRESDEN DOLLS BOOTLEG SINGLE)
7. PSYCHO MAFIA (HOME REHEARSALS FROM DRESDEN DOLLS BOOTLEG SINGLE)
8. INDUSTRIAL ESTATE (HOME REHEARSALS FROM DRESDEN DOLLS BOOTLEG SINGLE)
9. STEPPING OUT (LIVE FROM SHORT CIRCUIT: LIVE AT THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS)
10. LAST ORDERS (LIVE FROM SHORT CIRCUIT: LIVE AT THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS)
11. REBELLIOUS JUKEBOX
(JOHN PEEL SESSION)
12. MOTHER – SISTER!
(JOHN PEEL SESSION)
13. INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
(JOHN PEEL SESSION)
14. FUTURES AND PASTS
(JOHN PEEL SESSION)
15. PUT AWAY
(JOHN PEEL SESSION)
16. MESS OF MY
(JOHN PEEL SESSION)
17. NO XMAS FOR JOHN KEY
(JOHN PEEL SESSION)
18. LIKE TO BLOW
(JOHN PEEL SESSION)
DISC THREE: CD
MR PICKWICK’S LIVERPOOL
22 AUGUST 1978
1. LIKE TO BLOW
2. STEPPING OUT
3. TWO STEPS BACK
4. MESS OF MY
5. IT’S THE NEW THING
6. VARIOUS TIMES
7. BINGO-MASTER’S BREAK-OUT!
8. FRIGHTENED
9. INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
10. PSYCHO MAFIA
11. MUSIC SCENE
12. MOTHER-SISTER!
This type of evidence was problematic, as it was based on subjective and often hysterical testimony and was easily manipulated or exaggerated. The trials were marked by a high level of hysteria and paranoia. People were encouraged to come forward and accuse others of witchcraft, leading to a climate of fear and suspicion. The accused were often socially marginalized individuals, such as older women or those who challenged the traditional gender roles of the time. They were subjected to harsh interrogations, torture, and often forced to confess to being witches. In the end, 20 people were executed for witchcraft, while others died in jail or experienced other forms of punishment. The trials came to an end in May 1693, when Governor William Phips banned the use of spectral evidence and disbanded the Court of Oyer and Terminer, the court responsible for the trials. The Salem witch trials have been the subject of much speculation and academic study. Many theories have been put forth to explain the hysteria and the accusations, ranging from religious fervor and social tensions to infectious disease outbreaks or mass poisoning. In popular culture, the Salem witch trials have been the inspiration for numerous works of literature, theater, and film. The events have come to symbolize the dangers of intolerance and the power of mass hysteria. The trials also serve as a reminder of the importance of due process and the dangers of relying on subjective and unsubstantiated evidence..
Reviews for "Reflecting on the Past: Attend the Witch Trials Live"
1. Emily - 2 stars - The live performance at the witch trials was a big disappointment for me. The band seemed unprepared and off-key throughout the entire show. Their energy level was low, and the crowd seemed disengaged as a result. The sound quality was also subpar, making it difficult to enjoy the music. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and would not recommend attending one of their live performances based on this experience.
2. Mike - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the live show at the witch trials. The band lacked stage presence and seemed disinterested in performing. The lead singer's vocals were off-pitch and sounded strained at times. The sound mixing was poor, making it difficult to hear the lyrics clearly. The lack of enthusiasm from the band made the entire show feel dull and lackluster. I would not recommend wasting your time and money on this live performance.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the live performance at the witch trials, but unfortunately, it fell short. The band seemed unenthusiastic and disconnected from the audience. The sound quality was below average, with instruments overpowering the vocals. The overall performance lacked energy and passion, leaving me feeling disappointed. I had hoped for a memorable experience, but this live show didn't live up to the hype for me.
4. Jason - 2 stars - The live performance at the witch trials was a letdown. The band's performance felt uninspired, and their interactions with the audience were minimal. The sound mixing was subpar, with the vocals often drowned out by the instruments. The energy level of the show was low, and the lack of engaging stage presence made it difficult to stay interested. Overall, I was expecting a more captivating live performance, and I left feeling unsatisfied.