Composer Paul Leonard-Morgan provides a pulse-quickening backdrop to his latest project, Netflix’s documentary Chaos: The Manson Murders. His score weaves swirling orchestral instrumentation and rock elements with throbbing synthetic beats and drones that punctuate the intrigue of conspiracy unraveled in the film. We spoke to Paul in 2020 and since then, he’s been super busy. When we say he’s done a lot, we mean A LOT!
His work always impresses us, and this one is a high point for sure. Like most features, providing music for a documentary is a task that should be careful not to crowd or overwhelm the dialogue. Yet with this project, director Errol Morris wanted Paul to really amp up the sound. So the nearly 70 minutes of music (as varied as it is inventive) was dirty, pensive, complex and also incorporated music written and performed by Manson.
Leonard-Morgan is an innovative composer and, as luck would have it, found himself in possession of a pump organ that once belonged to Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. Wilson was publicly known to have shared a friendship and musical relationship with Manson in the years leading up to the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders. Note: that is a very interesting part of the doc and a huge catalyst for much of the infamous real-life events.
For his score, Paul had the pump organ refurbished and used it in the recording of the documentary’s music, providing a tangible connection between the score and the atrocities that the film explores.
Today we did a speed run through the experiences scoring Chaos: The Manson Murders for Morris and Netflix. Paul is an absolute delight, and we had a powder keg of awesome fun that you won’t want to miss! You can find out more about Paul and his wiiide range of musical projects at his official site. But for now, check out this episode of The GoSeeTalk Podcast Experience!
Directed by Errol Morris, CHAOS: The Manson Murders untangles a web of conspiracy involving the CIA, LSD, Jack Ruby, the Manson Family, and Vincent Bugliosi, casting doubt on the official story of the 1960s’ most infamous killing spree.
Chaos: The Manson Murders debuted on Netflix on Friday, March 7.
