Kenneth Patchen Discography of CDs

Kenneth Patchen music CDs Two of the most brilliant poets of the beat generation, Kenneth Patchen and Lawrence Ferlinghetti performing their compelling works in a Jazz context. This edition captures the movement in poetry toward all-inclusiveness, and a belief that the language and music of the street had their own beauty, integrity and significance, rooted as they were in the experience of ordinary people. Patchen is one the most important American writers of the 20th century and Ferlinghetti wrote Coney Island Of The Mind which sold a million copies. In terms of both attitude and style, Patchen and Ferlinghetti paved the way for Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison and Captain Beefheart. El. 2008. Recording information: 1957. Personnel: Modesto Briseno (clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Fred Dutton (bassoon, contrabassoon); Frank Leal (alto saxophone); Bruce Lippincott (tenor saxophone); Robert & Gene Wilson (trumpet, percussion); Allyn Ferguson (French horn, piano, electric piano, percussion); Bill Weisjahns (piano); Tom Reynolds (drums, timpani). Liner Note Author: Christopher Evans.

Kenneth Patchen discography There are many, many -- perhaps way too many -- recordings of poets reading their work to jazz accompaniment. Some of it works, some is ok, most is horrible. But Kenneth Patchen in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's studios reading with a young Canadian jazz quartet led by pianist Al Neil in 1958, is something else. Something so much bigger that the very idea of that collaboration is what's on display here. Originally released by Folkways in 1959, it is now issued by the fine Locust label on compact disc. This set of ten pieces read by the poet elegantly, with near crazy, divine inspiration is something wholly other. Patchen wrote in an astonishing array of styles and has been all but forgotten by the academy and the Philistine Poetry Slam scene that owes its entire existence to him showing how it could be done. After all, Patchen had been working with music since he appeared with John Cage on the radio in New York in 1949. His affinity for the jazz idiom, his understanding of the blues and of Charlie Parker's innovations in bop is cellular, in his DNA, and his forceful, raggedly elegant performance (occurring only hours after major dental surgery) lifts ...