Background
Some may remember my last docu-song Bletchley Park, this one is a continuation of that WW2 theme and is dedicated to Viktor E. Frankl and all the survivors and non-survivors of the Holocaust. Viktor, like so many German and East European Jews found himself entrapped in the Nazi network of concentration and extermination camps, but amazingly he survived and wrote an epic account of some of his experiences in the camps and the meaning behind survival. He called his book Man’s Search For Meaning.

In my opinion, this relatively small paperback which has been translated into over 20 languages and has sold over 12 million copies, should be required reading at the High School and College levels. Here are a few quotes.

With unthinkable haste, people tore off their clothes. As the time grew shorter, they became increasingly nervous and pulled clumsily at their underwear, belts and shoelaces. Then we heard the first rounds of whipping; leather straps beating down on naked bodies.

The most painful part of beatings is the insult which they imply.

Those who have not gone through a similar experience can hardly conceive of the soul-destroying mental conflict and clashes of will power which a famished man experiences.

In spite of all the enforced physical and mental primitiveness of the life in a concentration camp, it was possible for spiritual life to deepen.

Months later, after liberation, I met a friend from the old death camp. He related to me how he, as camp policeman, had searched for a piece of human flesh that was missing from a pile of corpses. He confiscated it from a pot in which he found it cooking. Cannibalism had broken out.

Fundamentally, therefore, any man can, even under such circumstances, decide what shall become of him – mentally and spiritually. He may retain his human dignity, even in a concentration camp. Dostoevski said once, “There is only one thing I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings.”

Frankel died in 1997, and it is he that won the victory, not Hitler.

Today, 5/6/24 is Holocaust Remembrance Day. The least we can do is never forget.

This is my first baby-step attempt at doing vocals; way out of my comfort zone. My only consolation is that these vocals are intended to come from beyond the grave.

Technicals
80 BPM

BiaB:
RealTracks in style: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 677:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RockBritDriving Ev 085
RealDrums in style:RockBritDrivingEv16^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Me:
Vocals: I have victory!/We have victory!

Korg Keyboard: Synths/Leads, Clarinet, Strings, Tuba(high register)

Roland Drum Pad (during the outro): Toms, Snare, Hi Hat, Cymbal

Fender: Bass Guitar

Recorded and mixed in Studio One

Victory For Viktor

https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
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For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.