Kit Ream – “All That I Am” LP (1978)
If I woke up one night to a burning house and only had time to grab a handful or records, I would be making a beeline for this one, partly because it’s worth a few bucks and partly because I simply never tire of listening to this record. A few minutes into the LP, it becomes apparent to the listener that drugs were not kind to Mr. Ream and, while this record has some psychedelic qualities, there is nothing really hip about what he’s laying down on this thing—this is a guy who bleeds for his “art” and the somewhat pretentious title of the LP is actually fairly accurate, as the man is baring all on this baby with somewhat nightmarish, yet entertaining results. This is an honest testimony of a dude who did enough pot, acid, booze, smack and women to talk to God and return to earth with “The Answer” and is kind enough to share it with us on this mind-bending one-of-a-kind record.
For those who read what Jello Biafra had to say about this record in his interview in “Incredibly Strange Music Vol. 2”, allow me to set the record straight because he was partially mistaken. Kit Ream, indeed, was an heir to the Nabisco cookie fortune but the bit about him being in a cult is bull. It didn’t happen. The record was part of his rehab and was recorded at his own house with hired local musicians when he was 26. As far as I know, he is still alive and lives outside of San Diego.
SAMPLE TRACKS:
INTROUNIVERSAL JAM + DON’T BE SO HOLY POLY OVER MY SOULY
Download Entire Masterpiece HERE
Dude, I love this record. I even spoke with the man and taped the interview! Don’t be bashin’ Mr. Ream–the man is a fucking saint!
Don’t get me wrong,I love this kinda stuff too.I’ve had this recording for a few years,from some other blog.Interview? I’d like to hear that! I ain’t bashin’ ol’ Kit ,I think he rules,but he is indeed acid-addled! G O D
I had lost the thing for years and recently found it, but I’m sitting on it. The dude was pretty ate up. I did think to ask who Jason Slash was, however!
I was at a treatment center in texas with Kit
back in 1967 & 68
he just starting to really his head into someplace else
this is really a surprise to find
What were you being treated for?
hello Mr poopy
we were in a place called deverux they still have this chain of schools but not the one we were at i was 14 and 15 then kit was one or two years older i was taking alot of acid and just did not fit well into normel life this was not a mental hospital . but almost look up tim o’connor hitch hiking poet also was there and you might like his music . can i ask how ago you saw Kit
Never saw him–I spoke with him on the phone. I was unemployed and toying with the idea of becoming a private investigator. I had a fascination with the LP, so I figured I’d sharpen my skills by tracking the man down. It was actually quite easy, but I won’t do it again. He lived in a wealthy area outside of San Diego.
Drugs can be ugly. I did more than my fair share as a lad and got taken for a ride a few times but, for the most part I could just take it or leave it. Other guys I knew weren’t so lucky. I believe all drugs should be legalized but it ain’t all fun and games. Some guys go for a ride and never come back. I think Kit Ream was one of those dudes who had his mind permanently fucked by that stuff. Did you listen to the record?
i still have pics from this place it was not a mental hospital . i was being treated for drugs i was only 14 then so i guess i might have seemed a little off this place was called deverux they still have them but not the one we were at i live near temecula calif so i have a year book with pics of Kit when he was 17
I have this web tv but i am getting a real computer then i can download it no i have never heard it.
and i want to so bad
at the time we were very good friends. i dont know why he was at this place think his parents put him there
he left before me and came back there once last time i ever saw him . and he was well on his way to the outer limits
i agree with you about drugs i was lucky to get away from all that . I was talking to some one else who knew him so i punched up his name and found your cite which is very nice thanks alot
where the hell is Kit?? I am one of his oldest buddies…we grew up in la jolla together and I almost married his sister! He was in fact NUTS! he called me to tell me why he murdered his good friend on his dad’s boat. he heard voices telling him he would burn if he didn’t kill him “skitzie”
Jay L.
Last I knew he was living outside of San Diego. I tracked the guy down about ten years ago and spoke to him, but I’m not at liberty to reveal how I did it at the moment.
So, with that out of the way, please continue! He killed a guy? That’s the first I’ve heard of that one! He swore up and down the whole rumor about there being a “cult” was a lie, so I really don’t know what to believe about the guy. He sounded pretty fried on the phone and pretty annoyed to be hearing from me, as well. He also said he was working on a second LP!!!
when he was about 17-18 years old he stole his fathers yacht and took a trip into mexico with a friend he had met at the hospital he had been in. he was found on the yacht with crusifix markings in blood along with the friend he had stabbed almost 34-37 times that was DOA when found. after that I completely turned our relationship off and tryed to keep him far from family and friends. His parents being mega rich always paid to have actuall body guards with him at all times back then due to his mental condition. now that we are both in our 60′s I figured it might be interesting to talk with him and find out what happened to his sister as we were very close also.
Check your email.
checked it, thanx….his brother was actually a cop but might be retired by now. his family owned nabisco cookies and all 3 kids were adopted. he was always a little crazy but in the 60′s with all the drugs I think we all were…he was just a little bit more on the fence then the rest of us. as far as musical talent goes, his money alowed him to play with a facet of life that really wasn’t meant to be. no talent, nothing actully except the fact that he was an heir to the nabisco fortune. it seems he used my stage name in a few of his songs “jason slash”. I was a street musician for many years and taped quite a few blues sessions back then, but drugs screwed up my chances so I went into other things.
So you’re the former “young wino” that he refers to? I actually tried asking who you were, but he blew it off. The LP in this post has a cult following and it’s nice to hear some straight facts about what went on behind it. Talented or not, that disc is a wild ride. Can you elaborate on the “cult” allegations? The story I originally heard was that he was involved with some sort of new age cult or something. He swore up and down he wasn’t. Perhaps the story I heard was an exaggeration of sorts?
the only thing he was into was scientology…his parents sent him to these meetings to try to help steer him from the strange path he was on. I think the acid he took was a little to much for him mentally and it brought out his mental illness to the point of total alienation with all of his friends. After he killed one of his friends every one basicly disowned him. He was in prison for a few years in Mexico where his parents money and a female shrink finally got him out. I also think he ended up getting married to the shrink that got him out of jail. He was actually a very cool guy until his mentall issues arose. I don’t think he was ever really musicly inclined although he liked to party!
Sometimes honesty trumps talent and his record gives insight into one man’s madness. The man obviously had no serious talent, but that record is insane. You can’t fake that stuff. Any idea what the deal was with the female singer on “Cool Water”? Did he write that song for her?
I was just trying to find him to say Hi after all these years. couldn’t find him which is probably a good thing. I might have been opening pandoras box due to his insanity. This is where I check out. Good luck in your endeavors to follow some one of absolutely no importance…my last foot note: the rolling stones were always our strongest influence along with the doors, now there is real talent!
I’d say you very likely dodged a bullet. As far as the record goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Thanks for your input.
finally talked with the man after 40 years! He sounds totally normal and it was really cool talking with him. He seems to be into art now. I hope himself and all of his family keep doing well and stay healthy. I never got the chance to talk with his sister and hope she gets a hold of me someday.
JL
Good to hear it. Glad you found what you were looking for.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-that-i-am/id650005479
now on itunes..
Is nothing sacred? Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I have half a mind to download it and see if it is an LP rip. It has to be.
This guy is off his fuckin’ rocker!Holy poly souly? Fuckin sounds like that dead midget Sonny Bono,on acid casualty mode.I just started a new band named,”Boner Pills”,soon to be posted at:
http://sluggisha.blogspot.com
G O D