We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Witch Hunt - history told in music, sound, and story - Episode V - Examinations

by Brian O'Connell

/

about

Episode 5 - Examinations

The three suspected witches are now in custody in Salem Village and are publicly examined by colonial magistrates at the Meeting House. The first two suspects, local beggar woman Sarah Good and the scandalous but frail Sarah Osborn, deny being witches and blame others. The third suspect, Rev. Parris' Native American slave Tituba, begins like the others by denying the charges. However she soon changes her story and weaves a kaleidoscopic narrative full of fantastic characters that enthralls the village. Everyone is amazed with wonder but also struck with fear at the potential size of the witch conspiracy, which now seems much larger than the usual small handful of suspects that New Englanders are used to.

The actual 1692 written accounts of these three examinations are used as the primary source for the examination portion of this episode. This is as close as we can possible get to what was actually said that day.

All music written by Brian O'Connell - www.brianvoconnell.com

Episode 5 Parts:

Part I - Gathering Storm
Part II - Witches Teats, Magistrates Arrive, Meeting House
Part III - Examination of Sarah Good
Part IV - Examination of Sarah Osborn
Part V - Examination of Sarah Tituba
Part VI - The Familiars
Part VII - The storm begins to spread (Gathering Storm Reprise)

Brian O'Connell - voice, guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, keyboards, synthesizers

Milo - screams

Recorded at Studio Vinniechops
Mixed, Edited, Mastered by Brian O'Connell


History Sources

“The Salem Witch Trials – A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege” by Marilynne K. Roach, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2002

"A Storm of Witchcraft - The Salem Witch Trials and the American Experience“ by Emerson W. Baker, Oxford University Press, 2015

"In the Devil's Snare - The Salem Witchcraft Crisis" by Mary Beth Norton, Vintage Books, 2002

Salem Witch Trials - Documentary Archive and Transcription Project - University of Virginia - salem.lib.virginia.edu/n125.html

credits

released March 21, 2024
All music and story written by Brian O'Connell

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Brian O'Connell image

Brian O'Connell Massachusetts

Widely known for his inventive and kinetic bass and touch guitar playing with Arukah, Uncle Sammy, Gordon Stone, Gary Backstrom, Dave Brunyak, and Dead Man's Waltz. O'Connell also has a strong compositional approach that is featured in his rock opera and original bands. His most recent solo project is a podcast-rock opera about the Salem Witch Trials called Witch Hunt. www.brianvoconnell.com ... more

contact / help

Contact Brian O'Connell

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Brian O'Connell, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now