Ian Brennan
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
I returned to Parchman Prison because there had been such a strong, positive response to their debut record. The administration has made great improvements there at the prison. The men were very proud of their success, and we were granted more time together this time. and many of them had prepared original songs. And there were also new people there that had not been there previously.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
We had 12 men participated for this album. They ranged in age from 23 to 74. Four of them were serving life sentences. The album was recorded in the chapel. I was alone with the men for three or four hours on a Sunday, and we just made music together the entire time. Archman Prison has quite a history. It houses the death row for Mississippi. It's rich in history, the area, musically.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
Muddy Waters was raised nearby. Sam Cooke and Ike Turner were born in the neighboring town. But a lot of that history is very dark, as most prisons are. And so to see... Something beautiful come out of an area that has had such misery is something that I think is a testimony to the human spirit.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
One of the tracks that I think is a standout is a rap, which is by Jay Robinson, who's 34 years old. The song is entitled MC Hammer, and it's quite a song because it makes MC Hammer seem almost cool again. The spirit all in me, I feel it. Holy Spirit dancing like MC Hammer. All it is is him and a beatbox provided by another prisoner.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
And it has groove and it has such believability and texture and toughness, but also tenderness. One of the most striking ones was the song, Let It Rain, which was sung by Mr. Hemphill. And he's 67 years old. He's been there almost his entire life. And if you listen to that voice, that shows that somebody can be redeemed, and he has.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
And as he was singing the song, Let It Rain, it began to rain.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
The statistics show that by the system at large, they are unfairly treated. America now leads the world in the total number of people in prison and African-Americans are incarcerated at five times the rate of white Americans.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
Very serious crimes. And that's something to be taken very seriously and not forgotten. This is not to ever heroise the people that are involved. It's to humanise them. The lead-off song for the record is called Parchment Prison Blues. It was the last song that we recorded that day.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
And these six men huddled together and non-verbally expressed their emotion with one another and their pain and their longing. And I think it's something that transcends language. And to hear them express it so vulnerably and so openly is amazing. Such a moving thing.
Global News Podcast
Millions hit by huge winter storm in US
To see something beautiful come out of an area that has had such misery is something that I think is a testimony to the human spirit.