See also: Albums: Spoken-Word/Lecture
Doctor Sax and the Great World Snake
Released: 2003
By: Jack Kerouac
Performed by: various artists
Label: Mint
Genre: Spoken word (dramatic reading)
This two-CD set offers a dramatic reading of Kerouac’s previously
unpublished screenplay. Carroll performs multiple roles and
is featured in almost every scene. Robert Creeley narrates.
Other readers include Graham Parker, Lawrence Ferlinghetti,
Kate Pierson (B52s), Maggie Estep, Bill Janovitz, Robert Hunter,
Ellis Paul, Jim Eppard, Kristina Wacome, Jim Sampas, John Keegan,
and Anne Emerick. Also features music by John Medeski and the
illustrated, unabridged screenplay text.
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Kerouac: Kicks Joy Darkness
Released: 1997
By: Various artists
Label: Rykop
Genre: Music and spoken word
Artists read works by Kerouac, accompanied by music; there are also
some original works. Performers include Michael Stipe, Steven Tyler,
Hunter S. Thompson, Maggie Estep, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg,
William S. Burroughs, Juliana Hatfield, Patti Smith, Matt Dillon,
and others. Carroll reads/sings Kerouac’s poem “Woman,”
accompanied by Lee Ranaldo, Lenny Kaye, and Anton Sanco.
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Home Alive: The Art of Self-Defense
Released: 1996
By: Various Artists
Label: Epic
Genre: Music and spoken word
A benefit album featuring Music and spoken-word performances
by Jello Biafra, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, 7 Year Bitch, Lydia Lunch,
Mia Zapata, The Presidents of the United States of America,
and others. Carroll reads “Nightclubbing,” from The Book of Nods.
Home Alive is a Seattle based anti-violence nonprofit organization that offers affordable self-defense classes and provides public education and awareness. Visit the site (external link).
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Curtis’s Charm: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released: 1996
By: Mark Korven, My Brilliant Beast
Label:Rabid Dog Productions
Genre: Film soundtrack
Music by Mark Korven with songs by My Brilliant Beast. Carroll
reads “Curtis’s Charm,” from Fear of Dreaming.
Promotional only.
Sound Bites from the Counter Culture
Released: 1990
By: Various Artists
Label: Atlantic
Genre: Spoken word
Performers include Hunter S. Thompson, Eugene McCarthy, Bob
Guccione Jr., Timothy Leary, Abbie Hoffman, Henry Rollins, Jello
Biafra, and Danny Sugerman. Carroll reads “Guitar Voodoo” (from The Book of Nods),
with guitar accompanyment by Tamela Glenn.
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Better an Old Demon Than a New God
Released: 1984
By: The Dial-a-Poem Poets
Label: Giorno Poetry Systems
Genre: Spoken word
Artists include David Johansen, John Giorno, William S. Burroughs,
Ludia Lunch, Meredith Monk, Richard Hell, and others. Carroll
reads “A Peculiar-Looking Girl,” from Forced Entries.
Out of Print.
You’re a Hook: The 15 Year Anniversary of Dial-a-Poem
Released: 1983
By: The Dial-a-Poem Poets
Label: Giorno Poetry Systems
Genre: Spoken word
A sort of “best-of” compilation, the album includes
spoken-word selections from past Dial-a-Poem albums. Artists
include Laurie Anderson, Lenny Kaye, Patti Smith, Frank Zappa,
and others. Carroll’s selections are the same as on the 1972 Dial-a-Poem Poets album (details below).
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Life Is a Killer
Released: 1982
By: The Dial-a-Poem Poets
Label: Giorno Poetry Systems
Genre: Spoken word
The selections on this spoken-word album are from the film Poetry in Motion, and most are accompanied by music.
Artists include Imamu Amiri Baraka, William S. Burroughs, Jayne
Cortez, and others. Carroll reads “Just Visiting,”
from The Book of Nods; in contrast to the film version,
the entire piece is included on this album.
Out of Print.
One World Poetry
Released: 1981
By: Various Artists
Label: Milkway Records, Giorno Poetry Systems
Genre: Spoken word
Double album of, apparently live recordings from the fourth annual One World Poetry Festival in the Netherlands. Features 63 poets from around the globe, including the usual Giorno Poetry Systems American poets. Carroll reads “I Want the Angel,” labeled “The Angel” in the track list. Reference
Disconnected
Released: 1974
By: The Dial-a-Poem Poets
Label: Giorno Poetry Systems
Genre: Spoken word
Double album featuring spoken-word selections by John Ashbery,
Imamu Amiri Baraka, William S. Burroughs, John Cage, Allen Ginsberg,
Michael McClure, John Giorno, Diane Wakoski, John Wieners, and
others. Carroll reads a selection from The Basketball Diaries;
the piece was recorded in 1973.
Out of Print.
The Dial-a-Poem Poets
Released: 1972
By: The Dial-a-Poem Poets
Label: Giorno Poetry Systems
Genre: Spoken word
Double album featuring 30 spoken-word selections by Allen
Ginsberg, Diane Di Prima, William S. Burroughs, Anne Waldman,
John Giorno, Ted Berrigan, Frank O’Hara, Bobby Seale, and others.
Carroll reads two selections from The Basketball Diaries;
they were recorded in 1969, when he was 18 years old.
Out of Print.