Jaime Brockett - Legend of the USS Titanic (FULL)

1970 Capitol ST678 reissue of the Oracle Records release.

In the late 1960s, the exploding popularity of underground FM radio allowed for the broadcast of songs of a length that had been previously unimaginable in rock (and, for the most part, folk) music. Arlo Guthrie's 18-minute "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" (more popularly known simply as "Alice's Restaurant") may have been the most renowned of these, following a loose talking folk-blues format to relay an amusing shaggy dog of a tale. Somewhat less remembered, though likewise a big FM favorite in its time, is Jaime Brockett's 13-minute "Legend of the U.S.S. Titanic." Like "Alice's Restaurant," it too followed a talking folk-blues format, and also threw in knowing countercultural references, albeit with a mania that seemed like Brockett was going to jump right off the grooves and into a straitjacket. Unlike Guthrie, however, Brockett was unable to build upon his marathon monologue to sustain a long-running career as a recording artist. Indeed, "Legend of the U.S.S. Titanic" wasn't even too typical of his work, the rest of his debut album leaning toward introspective folk ballads. It was "Legend of the U.S.S. Titanic," however, that most listeners bought the LP for, and which would come to overshadow not only the rest of the album, but Brockett's entire career.

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[Chase Law]

First off the titanic sank in 1912 and titanic was Called R.M.S Titanic

[EggsZachtly]

Second off you don't understand parody

[DarkMoonRisingProduc]

perhaps if You told them who did the original ! i can't remember His name. i believe it was done in the 20s or 30s ?

[EggsZachtly]

Jaime wrote this version, but the "chorus" was based on a Leadbelly tune.

[John Karen Hanney]

EXCELLENT!!!! I heard this on WAAF in the early 70's, ran out & bought the album then found out my older sister knew the guy, i guess he's from or associated with Worcester or central Mass. If WVM doesn't like the vid, don't watch it! I love it, the only criticism i have is the first mate, maybe Chong or George Carlin? I 'dabble' with the guitar and tried to change the lyrics to be more historically correct (England to America) but i could never get it to sound good, LOL. Thank You! J & K

[EggsZachtly]

Hi John. Thanks for the comments! I like the idea of Chong or Carlin playing the first mate. However, what you see in the vid *is* the Titanic's actual first mate. The photographs of the Titanic, both inside and out, are also actual Titanic photos that have survived the decades. =)

[EggsZachtly]

"Corny and annoying" was just what I was going for. Get over it.

[Al Whitaker]

Hadn't heard this in more than 40 years. 

[lou50rp]

Great tune. Jaime Brockett was great.

[beaconmike]

"Clyde Clifford"

[David Heston]

Still have the LP



[george klavins]

You gotta let it out, cap'n !!

[Bella Sinister]

O M G I heard this on KAAY outta Little Rock way back in the day.... I swear, you tube has everyfuckingthing!

[TheAmboydude]

Used To Smoke Weed & Listen To This Way Back When....Looks Like I Need To Light One Up Again.....Great Visuals, Ha Ha!

[NewburgCityLimits]

I remember Clyde Clifford playing this on Beaker Street in its later years on KZ95 out of Little Rock.

[9hotrod2]

Dr. Demento!!!