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Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake, tuned by Allen Ginsberg

Recorded New York, December 15, 1969; Released by MGM Records in 1970

Songs of Innocence

  1. Introduction: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Peter Orlovsky (Voc); Janet Zeitz (Flt); Cyril Caster (Gtr) (1:04): Performance; Text
  2. The Shepherd: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Peter Orlovsky (Voc); Janet Zeitz (Flt); Cyril Caster (Gtr); Bob Dorough (Org) (1:06): Performance; Text
  3. The Ecchoing Green: Allen Ginsberg (Voc & Finger Cymbals); Herman Wright (Bass); Bob Dorough (Pno) (1:27): Performance; Text (part I) Text (part II)
  4. The Lamb: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Janet Zeitz (Flt); Bob Dorough (Org); Cyril Caster (Gtr) (1:13): Performance; Text
  5. The Little Black Boy: Allen Ginsberg (Voc & Harmonium); Peter Orlovsky (Voc); Jon Sholle (Gtr) (3:04): Performance; Text (part I) Text (part II)
  6. The Blossom: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Bob Dorough (Harpsichord); Don Cherry (Finger Cymbals); Janet Zeitz (Flt); Herman Wright (Bass) (1:27): Performance; Text
  7. The Chimney-Sweeper: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Peter Orlovsky (Voc); Janet Zeitz (Flt); Cyril Caster (Gtr); Bob Dorough (Pno) (2:22): Performance; Text
  8. The Little Boy Lost: Allen Ginsberg (Voc & 2nd Pno); Bob Dorough (Pno); Herman Wright (Bass) (0:33): Performance; Text
  9. The Little Boy Found: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Janet Zeitz (Flt); Bob Dorough (Pno); Herman Wright (Bass) (0:34): Performance; Text
  10. Laughing Song: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Cyril Caster (Trpt & Fr Horn); Janet Zeitz (Flt & Amp Flt); Bob Dorough (Harpsichord); Don Cherry (Sleigh Bells & Beaded Gourd); CHORUS: Allen Ginsberg; Don Cherry; Janet Zeitz; Cyril Caster; Bob Dorough; Michael Aldrich and Matt Hoffman (1:25): Performance; Text
  11. Holy Thursday: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Peter Orlovsky (Voc); Bob Dorough (Org); Don Cherry (Tmpt & Wooden Flt) (1:18): Performance; Text
  12. Night: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Cyril Caster (Tmpt); Janet Zeitz (Flt); Bob Dorough (Pno); Don Cherry (Bass Tom, Beaded Gourd, Sleigh Bells & Finger Cymbals) (3:51): Performance; Text (part I) Text (part II)

Songs of Experience

  1. Introduction: Allen Ginsberg (Voc & Harmonium); Peter Orlovsky (Voc) (2:05): Performance; Text
  2. Nurse's Song: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Peter Orlovsky (Voc); Jon Sholle (Gtr); Herman Wright (Bass) (2:08): Performance; Text
  3. The Sick Rose: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Bob Dorough (Org); Jon Sholle (Gtr) (1:40): Performance; Text
  4. Ah! Sun-Flower: Allen Ginsberg (Voc & Harmonium); Peter Orlovsky (Voc); Jon Sholle (Elec Bass) (1:14): Performance; Text
  5. The Garden of Love: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Jon Sholle (Gtr; Bass & Drms) (1:02): Performance; Text
  6. London: Allen Ginsberg (Voc & Harmonium); Jon Sholle (Autoharp & Elec Bass) (2:00): Performance; Text
  7. The Human Abstract: Allen Ginsberg (Voc & Harmonium) (2:36): Performance; Text
  8. To Tirzah: (1:47): Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Don Cherry (Harpsichord); Bob Dorough (Org); Janet Zeitz (Flt); Cyril Caster (Gtr) Performance; Text
  9. The Grey Monk: Allen Ginsberg (Voc); Peter Orlovksy (Voc); Herman Wright (Bass); Julius Watkins (Fr Horn); Elvin Jones (Drms); Bob Dorough (Pno); Jon Sholle (Gtr) (4:09): Performance; Text
  • Originally issued as LP in 1970
  • Produced by Barry Miles for Allen Ginsberg and Peter Orlovsky
  • All Selections Composed by Allen Ginsberg & William Blake & Published by Poetry Music--ASCAP

PoemTalk

PoemTalk Podcast #4: a discussion of Ginsberg's recording of "The Garden of Love," featuring Al Filreis, Charles Bernstein, Rachel Blau DuPlessis and Jessica Lowenthal: MP3

For Other Allen Ginsberg Recordings and Information:

Ginsberg Singing Blake on PennSound Daily

These sound recordings are being made available for noncommercial and educational use only. All rights to this recorded material belong to the author's estate. Used with the permission of the Allen Ginsberg Trust. © 2006 Estate of Allen Ginsberg. Distributed by PennSound