V/A - The Dial-A-Poem Poets: Big Ego

Original 1978 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

Side One
1. Patti Smith – The Histories of the Universe (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 1, 1975)
2. Philip Glass – A Secret Solo (Big Apple Studios, New York, April 29, 1977)
3. John Giorno – Grasping at Emptiness (ZBS Media, Fort Edward, New York, June 9, 1978)
4. Laurie Anderson – Three Expediences (ZBS Media, Fort Edward, New York, February 1978)
5. Robert Wilson & Christopher Knowles – Excerpt from "A Letter To Queen Victoria: The Sundance Kid Is Beautiful" (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 1, 1975)

Side Two
1. Meredith Monk – Biography from "Education Of The Girlchild," 1972 (WBAI, New York, May 15, 1976)
2. Michael Lally – Excerpt from "All of the Above" (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 18, 1978)
3. Robert Lowell – Excerpt from "Ulysses & Circe" (St. Mark’s Church, New York, February 23, 1977)
4. Larry Wendt – How To Cook A Duck (San Jose, California, June 1976)
5. Jackie Curtis – Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Town Hall, New York, November 9, 1976)

Side Three
1. Ed Sanders – “A Monologue” from The Fugs (The Fillmore East, New York, June 1, 1968)
2. William S. Burroughs – Excerpt from "Naked Lunch: The Laboratory Has Been Locked For Three Hours Solid" (St. Mark’s Church, New York, April 9, 1977)
3. Harris Schiff – 15 Years Passes; Dollar Bill (St. Mark’s Church, New York, May 18, 1977)
4. Otis Brown – Boneless Chicken (St. Mark’s Church, New York, October 26, 1977)
5. Joel Oppenheimer – Cities, This City (St. Mark’s Church, New York, October 6, 1976)
6. The Fugs – “Saran Wrap” by Ed Sanders (New York, 1965)
7. Claes Oldenburg – June Was; Panodramdra (Museum of Modern Art, New York, April 19, 1976)
8. Denise Levertov – Woman Alone; Homage to Pavese (St. Mark’s Church, New York, April 20, 1977)
9. Ted Greenwald – Friends (St. Mark’s Church, New York, April 27, 1977)
10. Anthony J. Gnazzo – Hisnia & Hernia (Oakland, California, January 1975)
11. Steve Tropp & Gloria Tropp – Snow White (WBAI, New York, December 1977)
12. Jim Brodey – “Homeward Bound” with Colin Wolcott on sitar (St. Mark’s Church, New York, March 31, 1976)
13. Robert Ashley – Interiors With Flash (Mills College, Oakland, California, May 14, 1978)

Side Four
1. Eileen Myles – Tuesday Brightness (St. Mark’s Church, New York, December 7, 1977)
2. Helen Adam – Apartment on Twin Peaks (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 5, 1977)
3. Anne Waldman – Light & Shadow (Naropa Institute, Boulder, Colorado, July 30, 1974)
4. Joe Johnson – Fly Ho (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 29, 1977)
5. Lorenzo Thomas – Wonders (St. Mark’s Church, New York, March 2, 1977)
6. Ishmael Reed – Sky Diving (St. Mark’s Church, New York, January 29, 1977)
7. Kenward Elmslie – The Woolworth Song (WBAI, New York, January 29, 1978)
8. Mona DaVinci – Excerpt from "The Sacred Wood Of Art: The Last Supper Of Mona DaVinci" (Bloomfield, New Jersey and St. Mark’s Church, New York, October 9, 1974)
9. Bernard Heidsieck – Canal Street No. 19 (Text 1973, registered 1976, Paris, France)
10. Steve Hamilton – Promise (St. Mark’s Church, New York, December 22, 1976)
11. Frank O'Hara – Poem; Poem (Eugene Brooks & Jerry Newman, New York, September 1963)
12. Ron Padgett – No Title (St. Mark’s Church, New York, February 8, 1978)