Customer Reviews

Holy Soul Jelly Roll: Poems & Songs

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sometimes the sound quality lacks. Ginsberg doesn't always give the best read of his work. But this collection represents an important time in American modern literature and history. The beat generation gave way to the hip/flower/psychodelic generation of the 60's. Ginsberg was a big influence on Bob Dylan, and where would the 60's and 70's be without Dylan. I would strongly suggest you read "Dharma Lion" in conjunction with these discs. It will help you understand Ginsberg and his times (I have a review on this Ginsberg biography, if you should like to learn more about the book, an excellent biography on a fascinating man/poet). Ginsberg and his poetry are well worth the money it will cost you to listen to him speak. I didn't give this five stars, not because the contents were in any way lacking but, rather, because the sound quality can sometimes be annoying.

The value of Ginsberg to American Poetry cannot be overestimated. He brought back life to a dead form. Eliot trying to be an Englishman is a tombstone for the death of American Poetry. Ginsberg and other experimenters were able to give it CPR. (Complete Poetic Restoration).This set is worth far more than the listed price just for his reading of "Kaddish." Howl lives up to its name, but it is "Kaddish" which sends chills into your soul and opens it up like a flower. The horror of the poem becomes a black orchid. Ginsberg wanted to be a musician. As a musician he was average and I am probably too kind. I would like to hear "Father Death Blues" by someone else. It may be the great song I think it could be. Yet, it is the poetry that sings, that releases the tones that make us want to sing. Ginsberg works is great to read, but to hear it read by him is devine.

This box set truly captures the essence of the whole movement and brings it to life.