I Want Burning [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Coleman Barks (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

Why is a 700-year-old mystic named Jelaluddin Rumi the #1-selling poet in America? The answer to that question is simple: Coleman Barks. From his immensely popular translations of Rumi to his featured appearances on public television, this award-winning poet has almost single-handedly brought ecstatic Sufi poetry into the mainstream of English-language readers. On I Want Burning, listeners will join Coleman Barks in an inspired evening featuring three literary legends of the 14th-century Middle East: Jelaluddin Rumi; Hafiz (the all-time favorite poet of the Persian world); and Lalla, the astonishing Kashmiri woman poet, singer, and dancer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Coleman Barks was born on April 23, 1937, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of North Carolina and the University of California at Berkeley. Since 1972 he has taught English at the University of Georgia at Athens. Barks received the New England/Breadloaf Quarterly Narrative Poem Prize and the Southern Poetry Review's Guy Owen Award. His collections of poetry include The Juice and Gourd Seed. Barks is perhaps better known as a translator of the poet Rumi, a thirteenth century Mystic. Rumi is cpnsidered the greatest mystic of the Sufi religion and wrote extensively in Farsi, the language of Iran.

From AudioFile

A translator of Rumi, Hafiz, and Lalla brings their words to life in an electric performance at a small club. The room is filled with awe for these thirteen- and fourteenth-century poets as the breathy, in-your-face narrator, Coleman Barks, holds his audience's attention in a death grip for the entire 74 minutes. The accompanying exotic music is as rough and interesting as the author's blue-collar voice--music so erotic and intrusive that for most listeners it will be either a fascinating listening focus or a huge distraction. The editor's sparse introductions are marvelously unpretentious. He seems to respect the listener's openness to the poems, rather than trying too hard to orchestrate how they are comprehended. T.W. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated; Unabridged edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564558304
• ISBN-13: 978-1564558305
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Room For Rumi and Friends, March 31, 2001

By 

"bpjammin" - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Want Burning (Audio CD)

If you are an admirer of the poetry of Rumi and the translations Coleman Barks, you will love this CD collection. In addition to Rumi, there are selections from two additional poets, Hafiz and Lalla, both of which compliment the selections from Rumi. Some of the readings are accompanied by music. Mr. Barks reads his translations in a relaxed and jovial manner, which displays his genuine affection for the works read.

This recording was made before a live audience and therefore lacks the polish of a studio recording, but makes up for it with the charm of being live and alive. There is no text of the poetry with the CD and the only liner notes are a brief bio of Coleman Barks.

If you are unfamiliar with the poetry of Rumi, this CD would be a good place to start. Rumi's poetry reflects his unabashed love for God, but without the hindrance of doctrinal constraints; it is spiritual without being religious.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coleman Barks captures the spirit of Rumi, Hafiz, and Lalla, August 4, 2005

By 

Cullen Anderson (Asheville, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Want Burning (Audio CD)

Colemen Barks captures the spirit of Rumi, Hafiz, and Lalla. I enjoy the Spiritual Essence revealed in his reading so much, that I have 3 copies of this, and have sent it to several friends. I have a copy for the car, the house, and the garden. Coleman has said he Becomes what Rumi has written when he recites this wonderful poetry. Yes, and it is apparent. A shiver runs the spine at the Recognition revealed in these readings.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, Yes, Yes, February 10, 2003

By 

R. A. Piccione "RAP" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Want Burning (Audio CD)

Delicious. Uplifting. Reaffirming. Intoxicating. Necessary. (In other words: Get it, sit down, listen!)