Various Artists
Big Ego (2LP)
LabelGiorno Poetry SystemsGenreSound Art
Out of stock
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The seventh in the Dial-a-Poem Poets LP series. Iconic cover featuring Giorno posing with Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, and two children in a park. It also features Robert Ashley's “Interiors with Flash” a study for what would become 'Automatic Writing' "Yet another fine album title from Giorno Poetry Systems, which could apply to any organisation or person applying any form of censorship on the already dead forms of media in the internet age. We've been done up like a kipper, as 'real' cockney Dick Van Dyke would have said in a Disney movie set in victorian London.I'm not even sure this is me writing this, that's how confused they've got us. I use the word 'They' advisedly, from the much peddled paranoia angle that 'They' or 'Us' have unleashed on the information portals. The most likely culprit, as ever, is ourselves....."We've dunnit to oowr selves Mawry", said Dick Van Dyke as 'Bert' the jolly chimmney sweep with a heart of gold.......cue a bakers dozen of Clog wearing cocker-ney pearly Kings and Queens having a jolly-old knees-up, singing the Oscar winning tune penned by Oscar winning songsmith Sir Elton John called 'We Dunnit To Ouwrselves Guv'nr (Cor Strike-a-light)"
In fact this is Sir Elton John writing this confused bullshit for you all, aided by award-winning lyricist, Bernie Taupin,as I can't read or write.......Oh Yeah, and 'Queen of Hearts', Princess Diana, is hiding in my cellar after faking her own death to escape the paparazzi and MI5......honest Guv'nr.
Now I'll revert to my real music luvin' alter-ego of Reg Dwight(Who isn't knighted) to tell you how ruddy marvellous all that poetry stuff is, and about this allegedly 'uncensored' collection of left-field poets.
Of course It's got yet more of W.S. Burroughs'(The guy who predicted this information vacuum) greatest hits, enhanced by the odd gem, like "Cheerless Junkie Song" by Scottish actress,and unlikely junkie, Helen Adam, and Charles Stein's "Seed Poem".Cage is also worth the entrance money as always, but we do have to endure John Giorno again, doing his over-used multivoiced delay style once more. Probably a device employed so we can't hear the words and find out what a shite poet he really was; 'performance poet'and self publicist is a more accurate description of Mr Giono's talents,or lack of, therein. Very talented at hanging out with famous artists however,i'll grant him that;but,If it wasn't on his own label I doubt he'd be on this album.......what d'you think Lady Diana?..wot?..No, there's no Duran Duran on there, mores the pity?
Altogether now......
"Lets 'ave a jolly 'oliday wiv Mauryyyyy"...sung to the tune of "The Union Of The Snake"(subtitled 'Is it me or is everything SHIT!), as penned by the Bard of Brum, Simon Le Bon,or 'Lob On' as we call him. Oh go on then Diana, tell the non-english public what a 'Lob-On' is. Princess Di: "Its an Erect prick Sir Elton sir,I repeat....an eeeerect prrrriccccck-uh!.".....close in a small drop of drool running along Sir Eltons quvering lower lip.
"David Darling, rush and get me a hanky, and a nice bottle of Chianti"....(i dunno how to spell,phonetically, that sound Hannibal Lecter made in the 'Silence Of The Lambs'.....but ,I, Sir Elton John, just did it then).......pS this is all TRUE!." Die or D.I.Y
A1 - Gary Snyder: From "Turtle Island" – Anasazi; The Wild Mushroom; Avocado; One Should Not Speak To A Skilled Hunter; No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 29, 1975)
A2 - John Giorno: Excerpt from Subduing Demons In America (ZBS Media, Fort Edward, New York, January 6, 1975)
A3 - William S. Burroughs: From "The Wild Boys" – A Top Level Conference Is In Progress (St. Mark’s Church, New York, April 24, 1974)
A4 - Charles Olson: Maximus Of Gloucester (Only My Written Work) (SUNY at Cortland, New York, October 20, 1967)
A5 - Ted Berrigan: Excerpts from Memorial Day (Scottish Arts Council, Glasgow, Scotland, March 24, 1974)
A6 - Ed Sanders: The Struggle (St. Mark’s Church, New York, Jnauary 1, 1975)
B1 - Edwin Denby: The Shoulder; The Subway; Over Manhattan Island; Disorder Mental Strikes Me; Suppose There's A Cranky Woman Inside Me (GPS, December 11, 1974)
B2 - Helen Adam: Cheerless Junkie Song (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 1, 1975)
B3 - Diane Di Prima: Ave (Naropa Institute, Boulder, Colorado, July 30, 1974)
B4 - John Wieners: In Public (SUNY at Buffalo, New York, March 19, 1968)
B5 - John Cage: Mureau (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 1, 1975)
B6 - Robert Duncan: To Speak My Mind, We Convivial In What Is Ours (Dharma Festival, Veterans Auditorium, San Francisco, October 1974)
B7 - Denise Levertov: Life At War (NET-TV, Poetry: U.S.A. 1966)
B8 - Frank O'Hara: Having A Coke With You from "The Love Poems" (NET-TV, Poetry: U.S.A. 1966)
B9 - Kenneth Koch: Spring (NET-TV, Poetry: U.S.A. 1966)
B10 - John Ashbery: A Blessing In Disguise (NET-TV, Poetry: U.S.A. 1966)
B11 - Charles Stein: Seed Poem (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 1, 1975)
This edition
Original copies of this rarity. Factory sealed. Few copies available
Format
The publication of this LP has been made possible in part by a grant from The Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines, which it has made through funds recieved from The National Endowment for the Arts.
Engineering by ZBS MEDIA, Fort Edwards, New York.
Produced by Giorno Poetry Systems Records.
Track A1 from "Turtle Island", recorded at St. Mark's Church, New York, Jan 29, 1975.
Track A2 recorded ZBS Media, Fort Edwards, New York, Jan 6, 1975.
Track A3 from "The Wild Boys", recorded at St. Marks Church, New York, April 24, 1974.
Track A4 recorded SUNY at Cortland, New York, October 20, 1967.
Track A5 recorded Scottish Arts Council, Glasgow, Scotland, March 24, 1974.
Track A6 recorded St. Mark's Church, New York, Jan 1, 1975.
Track B1 recorded GPS, December 11, 1974.
Track B2 recorded at St. Marks Church, New York, Jan. 1, 1975.
Track B3 recorded Naropa Institute, Boulder, Colorado, July 30, 1974.
Track B4 recorded SUNY at Buffalo, New York, March 19, 1968.
Track B5 recorded at St. Marks Church, New York, Jan. 1, 1975.
Track B6 recorded Dharma Festival, Veterans Auditorium, San Francisco, October, 1974.
Track B7 recorded NET-TV, Poetry: U.S.A., 1966.
Track B8 recorded NET-TV, Poetry: U.S.A., 1966.
Track B9 recorded NET-TV, Poetry: U.S.A., 1966.
Track B10 recorded NET-TV, Poetry: U.S.A., 1966.
Track B11 Recorded St. Mark's Church, New York, Jan. 1, 1975.
Release notes
Comes in a gatefold-sleeve. Subtitle is "The Dial-A-Poem Poets LP" Engineered at ZBS Media. A1 and A5 recorded at St. Marks Church, New York, Jan.1, 1975. A2 recorded at Big Apple Studios, New York, Apr.29, 1977. A3 recorded at ZBS Media, Fort Edward, New York, Jun.9, 1978. A4 recorded at ZBS Media, Fort Edward, New York, Feb. 1978. B1 recorded at WBAI, New York, May 15, 1976. B2 recorded at St. Marks Church, New York, Jan.18, 1978. B3 recorded at St. Marks Church, New York,…
| A1 | The Histories Of The Universe | 7:46 | |
| A2 | A Secret Solo | 2:17 | |
| A3 | Grasping At Emptiness | 9:45 | |
| A4 | Three Expediences | 3:00 | |
| A5 | A Letter To Queen Victoria: The Sundance Kid Is Beautiful (Excerpt) | 8:00 | |
| B1 | Education Of The Girlchild, 1972: Biography | 8:00 | |
| B2 | All Of The Above (Excerpt) | 6:17 | |
| B3 | Ulysses & Circe (Excerpt) | 9:40 | |
| B4 | How To Cook A Duck | 4:44 | |
| B5 | Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | 2:27 | |
| C1 | The Fugs: A Monologue | 2:12 | |
| C2 | Naked Lunch: The Laboratory Has Been Locked For Three Hours Solid (Excerpt) | 2:14 | |
| C3 | 15 Years Passes / Dollar Bill | 1:45 | |
| C4 | Boneless Chicken | 1:43 | |
| C5 | Cities, This City | 2:45 | |
| C6 | Saran Wrap | 1:15 | |
| C7 | June Was / Panodramdra | 1:15 | |
| C8 | Homage To Pavese: Woman Alone | 3:33 | |
| C9 | Friends | 2:08 | |
| C10 | Hisnia & Hernia | 4:44 | |
| C11 | Snow White | 1:03 | |
| C12 | Homeward Bound | 1:52 | |
| C13 | Interiors With Flash | 3:07 | |
| D1 | Tuesday Brightness | 0:50 | |
| D2 | Apartment On Twin Peaks | 5:42 | |
| D3 | Light & Shadow | 6:10 | |
| D4 | Fly Ho | 0:37 | |
| D5 | Wonders | 1:50 | |
| D6 | Sky Diving | 2:19 | |
| D7 | The Woolworth Song | 2:30 | |
| D8 | The Sacred Wood Of Art: The Last Supper Of Mona DaVinci (Excerpt) | 2:50 | |
| D9 | Canal Street No. 19 | 2:25 | |
| D10 | Promise | 3:25 | |
| D11 | Poem / Poem | 1:45 | |
| D12 | No Title | 1:28 |
- Les Levine
- Artwork, Photography By
- Bobby Bielecki
- Engineer
- Catherine Levine
- Producer































































