First Blues: Rags, Ballads and Harmonium Songs

First Blues: Rags, Ballads and Harmonium Songs

composed by Allen Ginsberg, 1926-1997; produced by Samuel Barclay Charters, 1929-2015 and Ann Charters, 1936- (Folkways Records, 1981), 52 mins

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Details

Field of Interest
World Music
Composer
Allen Ginsberg, 1926-1997
Description

Legendary Beat poet Allen Ginsberg explores the fusion of poetry and music in this rare 1970s recording. Called a "venerated bard of resistance" Ginsberg sought "how the raw mind actually works" through poetry. This collection of fun ditties spouts against capitalism, among other things, and is an amusing and enjoyable listen. Ginsberg accompanies himself with a small hand-pumped harmonium from India, occasionally adding his own guttural rhythms reminiscent of Dadaist sound-poetry (see for example "Put Down Your Cigarette Rag" and "Prayer Blues"), while other songs, such as "Bus Ride Ballad Road to Suva", echo folk ballads from yesteryear. Ginsberg prefaces each song himself. Liner notes include an introduction from Ginsberg.

Content Type
Music recording
Duration
52 mins
Format
Audio
Sub Genre
Poetry, American Folk
Label
Folkways Records
Producer
Samuel Barclay Charters, 1929-2015, Ann Charters, 1936-
Release Date
1981
Subject
World Music, American Music, Music & Performing Arts, American Studies, United States and Canada, Estados Unidos y Canadá, Estados Unidos e Canadá, United States
Keywords and Translated Subjects
Estados Unidos y Canadá, Estados Unidos e Canadá

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