The Gonzo Tapes
The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed for Coffeerooms by Ry Pepper
"The Gonzo Tapes - The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson" is a 5-disc box set of Hunter's recordings. Listening to these is like having a fly-on-the-wall dream come true or breaking open the lock on someone's diary. It's an uncensored look into what was the every day for Hunter.
"Hunter loved the tape recorder - particularly his portable Norelco. He used it like a big game hunter uses a gun - always ready to point the microphone at unsuspecting subjects."
"But it wasn't just for 'interviews'; Hunter took it out to record the sounds of the places he went. And sometimes, like a tripped-out Edward R. Murrow, he would use the Norelco to create a running commentary about what was going on around him, from a Hell's Angels gangbang to Saigon falling." - excerpt from the box set booklet
I have been a fan of Hunter since the moment I first picked up "Fear & Loathing" and when I heard these recordings were available, I knew I had to have them. In my opinion, every budding journalist, unconventional writer and artist, or just a big fan, needs a copy of this set. Hearing how Hunter spoke, interacted and even what music he listened to while driving in the "white Cadillac with the top down" really puts you right where he was. Not to say his writing doesn't already do that.
The set includes a fantastic 42 page booklet with stories, clippings and photographs to go with the discs. Discs are as follows:
- Hells Angels
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
- More Fear and Loating in Las Vegas
- Gonzo Gridlock 1973-1974
- Fear and Loathing in Saigon