"Jesus didn't call them retards."
March 25, 2009 5:54 PM

Help me identify an old record album featuring prison inmates translating bible stories into "jive."

I have fragments of this material because it was used in the mid-90s by a Minneapolis band called Brenda. It is from an LP (lots of hiss and pop) and features several inmates, all sounding african-american, who translate common bible stories into "street" or "jive" as admonishments to their fellow inmates. The whole effect is somewhat stilted and unintentionally hilarious. My guess is the original material is from the late 60s or 70s.

Memorable quotes include:

"Take a look at the ants on the sidewalk. Think about how they work, and you'll be with it, man."

"Jesus didn't tell them how stupid they were, or call them retards. He talked to them like they were real important like."

There are also stories about a "cool cat" who gets thrown out of a gang for beating up a kid who owed him money, and woman who sings songs on the mall of a housing project.

Anybody recognize this? Bonus points if you can point me to where I can purchase or download. Thanks.
posted by werkzeuger to Media & Arts (2 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
Clarification: on the Brenda album the prison material is interspersed with lots of other stuff recorded by the band members. I'm just looking for the original prison stuff.
posted by werkzeuger at 5:59 PM on March 25, 2009


I don't know the recording, but this description sounds a lot like an amazing book I have called God Is For Real, Man.
posted by Scram at 12:29 AM on March 26, 2009


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