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Guide Picks - New Poetry CDs
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Want to discover new poetry with your ears? We've selected the best recently issued CD collections by individual poets here. (Although they are numbered, we have not ranked these choices by “quality” or any other criterion. We will rotate new CDs onto the list as we review them. Browse our Poetry Bookstore for the comprehensive list of all the books & CDs we've reviewed.)
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1) Michael Franti - Live at the Baobob
(Boo Boo Records, 2001) Franti is the genius bridge between poetry and hiphop (as if there’s any difference!) and this book, I mean CD, is the best yet to present the naked word as rhythmic truth. Poems interspersed with musical cuts guaranteed to have you dancing and popping. The audience at this live recording sho’ nuff was. You’ll listen to this CD till it wears out - a model.
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2) Michael Franti & Spearhead - Stay Human
(Six Degrees/Boo Boo Records, 2001) If the live recording above ain’t enough (or if you can't locate a copy for sale), then double up with the great Stay Human. That's all we have to say. Listen to this man.
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3) David Thomas & Two Pale Boys - Surf's Up
(Thirsty Ear Recordings, 2001) More poetry from the indefatigable head of Pere Ubu. Check out “Night Driving,” a new chapter from On the Road, and “Surf's Up” -- only Thomas could cover this 8-minute Brian Wilson pocket opera.
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4) Taylor Mali - Poems from the Like Free Zone
(PoetCD.com, 2000) Straightforward production & drop dead funny poems from the Slam vet, voice-over king, grade school teacher... “Listen... and you learn How to Read with your Ears.”
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5) Joy Harjo & Poetic Justice - Letter from the End of the 20th Century
(Silver Wave, 1997) Joy Harjo is a great poet & it's pure pleasure to experience her poems off the page. These recordings enrich her words with multifarious musics -- the melancholy wail of saxophone, Native American drum sounds, jazz, reggae & rock guitars -- the extra oomph of life in the performances.
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6) Eric Mingus - Um... Er... Uh...
(Some Records, 2000) Eric Mingus is Charles' son, but he makes his own poetic music here, speaking resonant musings over funky, jazzy, bluesy bass & beats -- totally cool storytelling.
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7) John Trudell - Blue Indians
(E Squared, 1999) This is John Trudell’s best ever. His band, Bad Dog, rocks the garage, John speaks the truth of rhythm unbending to melody yet complementing perfectly, and over the mountain of meaning the swoon obligato of traditional singer Quiltman. Brilliant.
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