BURROUGHS, WILLIAM S. / JOHN GIORNO - A D'Arc Press Selection

Original 1975 LP. Factory-sealed.

"American label set up in 1972 by the poet John Giorno. Mostly credited on releases as Giorno Poetry Systems records, Giorno Poetry Systems tapes and Giorno Poetry Systems video.
The earliest releases were exclusively poetry collections of the "Dial-A-Poets" (John Giorno, William S Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Allen Ginsberg, John Cage etc.): "In 1961 I was a young poet who hung out with young artists like Andy Warhol, Bob Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns, as well as with members of the Judson Dance Theatre. The use of modern mass media and technologies by these artists made me realize that poetry was 75 years behind painting and sculpture, dance and music. And I thought, if they can do it, why can't I do it for poetry. Why not try to connect with an audience using all the entertainments of ordinary life: television, the telephone, record albums, etc? It was the poet's job to invent new venues and make fresh contact with the audience. This inspiration gave rise to Giorno Poetry Systems" - Giorno Poetry Systems

"Since 1962, John Giorno has been disseminating his streetwise, pioneering poetry to audiences worldwide. He lifts his poems off the page, delivering them through rhythmic performances; paintings, prints, and installations; and in LPs, mixed with music. Among his most iconic works is his “Dial-A-Poem” project (begun 1968), in which a telephone number leads to short readings by a host of writers, artists, and activists, among them Allen Ginsburg and John Cage. Giorno forged his art in 1960s New York, and was associated with numerous important figures from that period, including Andy Warhol, the Beat writers, and avant-garde performers—who all influenced his generous, democratic work. Describing his relationship with his audience, he states: “I'm giving out energy, and I'm holding up a mirror to their minds. It's not me they're looking at—it's into their own minds. That's what a great poem is.” - John Giorno/Artsy

Tracklist:

A1 – William S. Burroughs: From "The Wild Boys", The Chief Smiles (6:50)

A2 – William S. Burroughs: From "The Wild Boys", The Green Nun (3:32)

A3 – William S. Burroughs: From "Ah Pook Is Here" (12:00)

A4 – William S. Burroughs: From "Cities Of The Red Night" (10:00)

B1 – William S. Burroughs: From "Junkie", 103rd Street Boys (7:29)

B2 – William S. Burroughs: From "Naked Lunch" (20:28)

B3 – William S. Burroughs: From "Exterminator", From Here To Eternity (3:40)

C1 – John Giorno: Suicide Sutra (10:29)

C2 – John Giorno: Eating Human Meat (18:57)

D – John Giorno: Subduing Demons In America (30:51)