What makes Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales by William S. Burroughs notable?

This album is significant for its unique format, combining narrative storytelling with sound design, influencing the burgeoning genre of spoken word and audio art. It received critical acclaim for its innovative approach, contributing to Burroughs' status as a vital figure in avant-garde literature and culture, especially among artists exploring similar thematic territory. Released in 1993, Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales marked William S. Burroughs' return to the audio medium after a decade, following his earlier works like 1981's Dead City. It showcased his evolution into a multimedia artist, merging literary prowess with performance art and experimental soundscapes during a period when his influence was being rediscovered by younger generations.

How many songs are on Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales?

Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales has 15 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales

William S. Burroughs · 1993

47 min · 15 tracks

A surreal blend of spoken word and sound collages that captures Burroughs' dark humor and incisive social commentary.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Spare Ass Annie — The titular track serves as a centerpiece for the album, blending absurdity with sharp social commentary while showcasing Burroughs' iconic delivery style.
→
The Junky's Christmas — This lengthy narrative highlights Burroughs' ability to weave humor and pathos into stories about addiction, cementing his legacy in both literature and performance.
→
Words of Advice for Young People — In this track, Burroughs offers sardonic life lessons wrapped in wit, reflecting his philosophical views while engaging listeners with his distinct voice.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album's unique blend of spoken word and sound design creates a distinct listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features a series of interludes that separate the main spoken word pieces, creating a fragmented narrative structure.
Burroughs' delivery varies from deadpan to animated, often shifting tone within a single track, which enhances the surreal quality of the storytelling.
Sound collages incorporate ambient noise and music that interact with Burroughs' voice, adding layers of meaning and atmosphere to the spoken content.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Interlude I: Wrinkled Earlobes Are a Sign of Impending Heartattacks 0:23
2 Spare Ass Annie 4:29
3 Interlude 2: This Is Insane 0:19
4 The Last Words of Dutch Schultz (This Is Insane) 2:22
5 Interlude 3: The Vultures Are Gone and Will Never Come Back 0:16
6 Mildred Pierce Reporting (Old Sarge) 2:05
7 Dr. Benway Operates 2:44
8 Warning to Young Couples (Huntsman's Hounds) 2:13
9 Did I Ever Tell You About the Man That Taught His Asshole to Talk? 6:18
10 Last Words With Ras I. Zulu 1:02
11 A One God Universe 3:32
12 Interlude 4: Fletch Is Here 0:35
13 The Junky's Christmas 15:53
14 Words of Advice for Young People 4:41
15 Last Words With Michael Franti 0:47

What to play next

Listen next

Last Words: Qui Vivre Verra

2001

Go back to

Dead City Radio

1990

Full William S. Burroughs discography Artists like William S. Burroughs

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata