Reads HOWL and Other Poems: Deluxe Edition (180g Red Vinyl)

Red vinyl, limited to 500 copies.

Decades after its arrival, Howl remains one of the most important poems of the mid-20th century. Its 1959 release on red translucent vinyl (reproduced here as part of the Deluxe Package), is arguably the best-known recording to feature any beat-era poet. Although the poem "Howl" itself is the centerpiece of the program, each additional reading, namely the entrancing "Footnote to Howl" and "Howl (Part One)," are born into life full of passion and equally world-weary and world-embracing totality of Ginsberg’s inherent greatness. Here, his brilliance as both poet and performer is on full display, unrivaled and unequalled on recording, his empathetic genius pouring forth as his vaudevillian delivery carries the full weight of his provocatively honest observations on life, love, spirituality, and existence.

Also included here is the opening section from "Kaddish," which had been collectively documented at Ginsberg's "Big Table" readings during the 1959 Shaw Festival in Chicago. The poem spurred a well-known 1957 obscenity trial, during which City Lights Publisher Laurence Ferlenghetti, who put out the book of poetry, won a suit brought against him by the U.S. Government that is still widely considered to be a landmark decision in free-speech protection. This deluxe vinyl box set includes the LP, a reproduction of the original City Lights reading invite, a photo of Ginsberg, a reproduction of the Pocket Poem book, as well as a booklet featuring new liner notes by Beat scholar Ann Charteris, and notes by Ann Waldman.