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Allen in Downtown Ambient Spacejazz Territory

Stephen Silberman | SF, CA USA | 01/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My Polish comrade below has his facts confused: none of the music on this album was written by Glass or McCartney. It is indeed a mystic wonderful album, however, produced by Hal Willner, the imaginative impresario who also created the jazz-savvy tributes "Weird Nightmare" and "Amarcord Nino Rota." This album lays moody, resonant readings of Allen's poetry into atmospheric and haunting jazz soundscapes played by NY's best and brightest: Arto Lindsay, Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell. The recording of "Kral Majales" in perhaps the best musical setting of Allen's poetry ever done -- all of this is passionate, intelligent music, with Allen's Jovian Blake voice the dark jewel at the center."

It is absolutely mystic album, possesing the whole soul.

Stephen Silberman | 04/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can not find the right words to describe my feelings, when I listen to this album. I think, that everyone who is possesed by The Beat Generation movement has to have it! The music created by Philip Glass or Paul McCartney beautifuly refer to Ginsberg's poetry. The whole album presents the long story- the road through life, full of a lot of charming events and experience. I suggest listen to Mr. Ginsberg "as he walked the Universe"- this is the howl for beauty."

Don't expect his early benchmark material

Kevin L. Nenstiel | Kearney, Nebraska | 03/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Nothing from the chapbook "Howl and Other Poems" is on this disc. Some of the tracks are forgettable, notably "C'mon Jack" and "Hum Bom," but in general it's a good way to hear the poems the way the poet wanted them heard. His few attempts at song were not very well considered. The music, in a mixed jazz format, only lends depth to the spoked word, however."