Between 1969 and 1971, Beat poet Allen Ginsberg took the poems of William Blake and set them to music - with musicians as diverse as Don Cherry, Elvin Jones, and Arthur Russell - Ginsberg recorded (with himself on lead vocals) dozens of these songs, some of which leaked out via an album on MGM in 1970 (making him label mates with the Velvet Underground). However, none of them have been properly issued on CD until now - and many have never been released in any form.
On behalf of the Ginsberg Estate, Omnivore Recordings releases a 2-CD set titled The Complete Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake, Tuned by Allen Ginsberg on June 23.
The Ginsberg Estate has supplied Aquarium Drunkard with an exclusive animated video of one of the songs - which is a feast for the eyes and ears - plus an excerpt of reissue producer Pat Thomas' liner notes to give you a taste of the wealth of influence. Everyone from Van Morrison to the Beatles to Jimmy Page was a fan of Ginsberg!
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