We’ve been tracking for some time now the Ginsberg meme – quotable quotes that don’t actually have an accurate source (but are far too seductive to give up), viral replicators (the internet is, as is well-known, full of them). We have already had to do detective work on “Follow your inner moonlight, don’t hide the madness”. Michael Schumacher helpfully came to our aid with that. We were wondering if this quote, above, worthy tho’ it may be, needs, likewise, a dose of caution or qualification. The occasion for such musings, earlier this week, esteemed historian and Middle East specialist, Juan Cole trotted it out on his blog. Someone in the Comments section queried (as we do) its origins. It’s variously been attributed to Allen and Jim Morrison. Anyone know it’s true source?
Bob Dylan’s new album, Tempest, has just been announced (for a September 11 release date), “ten new and original Bob Dylan songs”, causing, of course, much speculation and anticipation. That title?, could it be, perhaps, in reference to Shakespeare’s final masterpiece? – “..this rough magic/ I here abjure; and when I have required/ Some heavenly music, – which even now I do, -/ to work mine end upon their senses..” – Allen’s observations on that famous text (“..really right-on for a study of someone dealing with his own powers..”) can usefully be perused here.
Update: Rolling Stone provides a few more tantalizing early details about the record. Seems that the “Tempest” referred to is more the sinking of the Titanic – and James Cameron’s Titantic, possibly! – oh well!
Gordon Ball’s Ginsberg memoir profiled earlier this year – East Hill Farm – Seasons with Allen Ginsberg remains a recommended summer read. Not sure if we mentioned it before but there’s an interesting interview with Gordon talking about the book on local station, WMRA – the interview can be listened to here.
Marc Olmsted, another figure featured on the Ginsberg Project, continues the serialization of his personal memoirs on the Rusty Truck blog. This week’s episode is on the “seminal (and at the same time..(confessedly)..obscure”, “Wichita Vortex” Beat legend, Robert Branaman.
Marc will be developing this in a piece upcoming for Beat Scene – “Mapping the Wichita Vortex – Conversations with Robert Branaman, Michael McClure and Charles Plymell“. Hats off to Kevin Ring and the extraordinary indefatigable Beat Scene. For more from that invaluable resource, click here.