Artists
Album Info
Release Date: 2020-03-11Label: Kaliyuga Clearing House
'Bring Me The Head Of F.W. Murnau: A Ghost Story in Six Acts,' was inspired by news reports on July 15, 2015, that the director's head had been stolen from his grave:"That day, as I learned of this odd occurrence, I hearkened back to my 1990 recording 'Bring Me The Head Of Geraldo Rivera,' under the auspices of my former band Radio Werewolf. The calling to create a similarly titled sequel seemed obvious." --Zeena Schreck
The tone poems in this recording are sonic necromancy, reflecting the transition from the end of Murnau's worldly life to what his disembodied consciousness may have experienced in the afterlife. Many of the intricate sounds heard in these tracks were captured in filed recordings at Murnau's former residence in Berlin and at his grave site in Stahnsdorf, Germany.
The presence of the cinematic Master is perceived most effectively when listening to the tracks altogether, in sequential order, preferably with eyes closed and/or lights out.
All music and vocals composed and performed by Zeena Schreck, with the exception of drums by Hisham A. Bharoocha on track 4, “Tabu”.
Lyrics
“Letter to Mother,” excerpted and adapted from Murnau's letter to his mother written in Tahiti during the filming of his last film, Tabu.
“Tabu” excerpted and adapted from scrolls of the same-titled film.
“The Phantom Bridge,” excerpted and adapted intertitles from Murnau's most famous film, Nosferatu, starring Max Schreck in the title role.
“Endlich daheim,” original lyrics by Zeena Schreck.
Cover art: Original mixed media painting created especially for this sound art project by Ben Vaughn Zeitlin; concept by Zeena Schreck.
Photos: Zeena Schreck at F.W. Murnau's grave by Lance Anderson.
All other photos by Zeena Schreck.
Mixed and mastered in Berlin, Germany;
Made in the Black Forest, Germany