New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Internationally revered as a Beat Generation spokesman, Allen Ginsberg is an iconic part of the counterculture. His 1956 epic poem �Howl� inspired the songwriting of Bob Dylan. Hippies and punk rockers alike claimed him as an influence; he even recorded with the Clash, on Combat Rock.
In 1971, Ginsberg called on Dylan to record a slew of songs: some political, some gay-themed, and some just plain wacky! Along for the ride were fellow poet Anne Waldman; the eclectic composer
David Amram (Jack Kerouac�s musical partner, among other claims to fame); folk artist Happy Traum; and a young avant-garde cellist, Arthur Russell. Ginsberg himself was lyricist, composer, and lead vocalist.
These 1971 recordings remained dormant until 1983 when they were released as First Blues, which also included 1976 sessions produced by Columbia Records exec John Hammond, and some 1981 sessions. Along the way, Beat Generation legend
Peter Orlovsky and Rolling
Thunder Revue sideman
David Mansfield joined the festivities.
Omnivore Recordings is proud to reissue the cult classic, plus much more, as The Last Word on First Blues. A deluxe package, this 3-CD set contains the original double LP, plus 11 previously unissued songs from 1971 and 1981 sessions, and demos and live recordings including Dylan and/or Russell and even a cameo by trumpeter Don Cherry - on kazoo!
The release includes a full color 28-page booklet of rare photos, writings and drawings from Ginsberg�s archives and an essay from set producer Pat
Thomas featuring interviews with original participants. Longtime Ginsberg-music aficionado
Thomas was given full access to the poet�s tape archive at Stanford University and spent several years pouring over hundreds of hours of recordings.
Mastering and restoration was handled by Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves.
Upon the album�s 1983 release, John Hammond stated, �I recorded Allen in 1976 but Columbia Records refused to issue the results, considering the songs obscene and disrespectful. I am thrilled to finally be able to present Allen � I will present �disrespectful� music like this as often as possible.�
While today�s political right try to limit artistic expression, here is the pioneer of �free speech� � the mystic Beat poet � doing what many forgot he ever did: singing with the most acclaimed songwriter of the rock era, Bob Dylan, as well as mentoring the work of the late Arthur Russell.
The Last Word on First Blues is not only a definitive cultural artifact, it will destroy the best minds of those who hear it.
On the weekend of June 3-5, during celebrations for what would have been Ginsberg�s 90th birthday,
Thomas will host a round-table discussion about the First Blues recordings in Manhattan with the musicians who played on it, including Amram and Mansfield, to be followed by a one-off reunion of these musicians performing this material that evening. Exact details to be confirmed.
Track listing:
Disc One:
1.Going To San Diego
2.Vomit Express
3.Jimmy Berman (Gay Lib Rag)
4.Ny Youth Call Annunciation
5.Cia Dope Calypso
6.Put Down Yr Cigarette Rag
7.Sickness Blues
8.Broken Bone Blues
9.Stay Away From The White House
10.Hardon Blues
11. Guru Blues
Disc Two:
1. Everybody Sing
2. Gospel Nobel Truths
3. Bus Ride To Suva
4. Prayer Blues
5. Love Forgiven
6. Father Death Blues
7. Dope Fiend Blues
8. Tyger
9. You Are My Dildo
10. Old Pond
11. No Reason
12. My Pretty Rose Tree
13. Capitol Air
Bonus Disc:
More Rags, Ballads, And Blues 1971-1984
All Recordings Previously Unissued
1. Nurses Song
2.
Spring (Merrily Welcome)
3.
September On Jessore Road
4. Lay Down Yr Mountain
5. Slack Key Guitar
6. Reef Mantra
7. NY Blues
8. Come Along Vietnam (Rehearsal)
9. Airplane Blues (Live At Folk City)
10. Feeding Them Raspberries To Grow (Live At Folk City)
11. Do The Meditation Rock
