Customer Reviews

Dead City Radio

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4 star:		(2)
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"Ah Pook the Destroyer," with its gravelly pronunciation of the names of a Mayan pantheon intoned over the most sugary strings, is almost as funny as Oscar Brand's "We Set Sail." Too much. We listen to the sardonic "Thanksgiving Prayer" in lieu of saying grace every year before Thanksgiving dinner. The younguns are embarrased to a one as we recite along with WSB ("mean, bitter, evil, church-goin' women"). They think we are insane and might be right. But the wife and I are still very much in love after all these years, a blessing the credit for which we tend to give to our never having joined the PTA and to this CD. Spices up the old Johnson, no less.

If you've never read Burroughs, or if it has been awhile and you would like to refresh your acquaintance, then this recording is what you are looking for. The old magician gives readings from a variety of sources including _Naked Lunch_, _Interzone_, and _The Western Lands_. He invokes his vision in the name of Pan, god of panic; Ah Pook, the destroyer; and even Jesu the Christ. "Invoke" is the proper word, for this is a work of magic. Burroughs is weaving a vision. He wants us to peek through the chinks and see the monsters that lie behind the machine- behind the great shining lies. His objective is no less than a basic disruption of reality itself. This is art as magic, artist as magician.

Remember: 1)Control is controlled by the need to control- just like a junky on junk, 2)Everything is permitted BECAUSE nothing is true, and It's the little touches that make a future solid enough to destroy.

A somnambulant, mood-swifting mindtrip into the world of William S. Burroughs...and what better than to hear arrousing and exciting tales of moral decadence, science fiction atroscities, the convictions of racism and prejudice, flowing dream imagery, political ideas & warnings, and frequent contradictions resulting in poetic tales that defy explanation and expand yr. conciousness. After being told in his deadpan spooky and signature voice to tape, they are adapted to an eclectic arrangement of classical orchestra, John Cale's keyboard weirdness, Sonic Youth's cataclysimc subway noise, and various other contributions that work well with the stories...

Some of the best are hard to pick out, but there are highlights: the reading of a particularly hanuting excerpt from Naked Lunch involving The Black Market Cafe done to shadowy chamber music will send chills down yr. spine, the short story Where He WAs Going which flows along at a snail's pace pulling you into the mind of a worried bank robber knowing death is creeping around the corner (and this one has great ending, plus organ music, and the overall effect will leave a mark on yr. mind), the readings of the Bible are amusing and not meant to be taken seriously, but the best prize here is his nearly 10 minute telling of the Apocalypse done to some sweeping mixes...basically sums up all his post apocalyptic desires in one amazing track.

The rest are just as interesting, his political theories are expressed in "No More Stalins, No More Hitlers" and the classic sardonic peice "A THanksgiving Prayer" which since Burroughs is neither a Christian or celebrates that holiday you can guess the idea. "Bryon Gysin's All-Purpose Bedtime Story" includes some great short philosophies: "Control is controlled by it's need to control." and the idea that this universe is a glob of spit on it's way to the floor...SPLAT! "Love Your Enemies" will send jollies down yr. loins and laughing devices if nothing else...when he says love your enemies, he means it in a different light. "Kill THe Badger" is just plain sad, "A New way To Measure..." is unsettling somewhat, and that German song he sings at the end is simply odd.

Basically, this is Burroughs' mind done to music. It's tour de force...whiter and redder than life.

I really love this cd. William Burroughs is one of my favorite writers of the beat movement. Not only is his strange, monotone voice recorded very well on this cd, there's a great soundtrack to accompany him. He reads selections from the Naked Lunch and many of his other works, with background effects and music that is dark and twisted enough to match his strange awesome writings. Each track is interesting, from his surreal 'cut-up' style to dialogues on dictators and poems about the apocalypse. This whole cd is just great. I recommend this to any fan of Burroughs, or someone who just wants a really strange cd to put on when under the influence of certain plants and chemicals.

Some elderly people can't be thought to have a past as a teenage hood or anything. William S. Burroughs isn't like that. He has seen it all as a real person, not another "old person". His words change anyone. This cd lets you hear the words of the genius himself. It is a must buy.

This is what Burroughs asks in his opening statement. Do we really know why we're here? This recording of Burroughs narrating his own work is truly monumental. He adds new life to his Naked Lunch exerpts. He adds an extra element of sobriety to the Sermons on The Mount and The Lord's Prayer. Music is added into the background to add an extra sinister element, and amplify the dark overtones. This is an excellent buy for any fan of counterculture literature, especially the work of William S. Burroughs.

I love Burroughs. he is and always has been my favorite author. I really love this album. It is just so eerie and powerful to hear this ex-junkie read these cryptic poems, messages, invitations, chapters, and songs. They just push the borders of recording genius. This man is the master of the English language!!!

One of my favorite albums and I own thousands. Possibly the best setting of Burrough's words to music. Love the vintage TV orchestral cuts. Caution: I have bought this album for several friends who have never said a word about it! "What are we here for?"

When beat writer William S. Burroughs reads his doom soaked Dead City prose over dense orchestrations, the combination is powerful.


Slow, nasal, articulate, surreal, Burroughs voice and prose make for an amazing contrast over the Bernard Herman-esque composition, and Dead City Radio comes off as noir on acid.

You can listen to the excellent visual prose for meaning, or just as sound. Either way, this is excellent in music, sound, and literature.

Its great to lay down and listin to this CD at night and just listin to the ramblings of an old man. Dead Radio City is hard to put into a certain category because it touches them all. Burroughs goes from disturbing revelations to dark comedies to simple life findings. The music backing his voice in this album is pretty good even though it sometimes eclipses his voice at times. Burroughs has a great monotonic voice on this album which creates a great atmosphere and really drills home his jaded,disgruntled, and sarcastic message. All in All every song on here is not a winner but most of the album is pure nirvana.