{"id":10269,"date":"2025-06-06T03:29:55","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T10:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/?page_id=10269"},"modified":"2025-06-06T03:30:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T10:30:44","slug":"jim-carroll-and-richard-hell-with-groovy-religion-the-opera-house-toronto-on-20-june-1997-review-by-mary-anne-st-onge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/research\/performance-reviews\/jim-carroll-and-richard-hell-with-groovy-religion-the-opera-house-toronto-on-20-june-1997-review-by-mary-anne-st-onge\/","title":{"rendered":"The Opera House, Toronto, ON (1997)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jim Carroll and Richard Hell with Groovy Religion
The Opera House
Toronto, ON, 20 June 1997\u00a0<\/strong>
Review by\u00a0Mary-Anne St-Onge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I read over again\u00a0Cassie Carter’s article<\/a>\u00a0regarding the first time she saw Carroll live (can’t believe she was that close to him! aaaaahhh!!) and found her writing somewhat astounding in its description. Her final statement was really excellent ” . . . I’m still breathing the hot smoky stench of his velvet underground. I’m licking the dirt off the streets of New York . . . ” Absolutely excellent, I couldn’t have said it better myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Opera House was certainly not what I expected. It was really dark and dreary (a dive to say the least–by the way I’m still wondering what’s up with “Mushroom Entertainment”. I think we were all supposed to eat a few shrooms before we entered the place so that we could pretend to have seats to sit in). Richard Hell gave an interesting performance and I was really happy that the local band played “Sad” by the Velvets since I come from that “Blank Generation” myself, but (don’t tell Richard) I was really there to see Carroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was surprised at how nervous Carroll appeared up there, shaky hands and voice. But I guess that’s the way it is when all eyes are on you and watching your every move (you could hear a pin drop when Carroll came on stage–no not literally, just verbally). I was overwhelmed by the masterful way he performed his work, slipping in humour when least expected and at just the right time. He really blew me away, and yet, I felt that the tour was not dedicated enough to him, he could have had that audience on their knees begging for more. The unfortunate part for me was that the whole night seemed more dedicated to Hell than Carroll (promoting his new book I guess). Even the write up in the newspaper showed Hell, his comments, his picture, his book, etc, etc and just one small mention of Carroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An announcement was made after Hell’s performance for autograph signing (yeah, I got one) and they had his book GO NOW<\/em> as well as books of poetry and stuff for sale. I was excited about this because I was sure that Carroll would be doing the same, at least signing what some of us had brought (The Basketball Diaries<\/em> and Fear of Dreaming<\/em>). But he didn’t!! He didn’t even stick around to sign one autograph! I don’t get it???? Does he do this often? I mean did he just hate the place or something? I was dissapointed to say the least, but certainly not in his performance. I could have sat there all night listening to him, watching the energy he poured into his work. He wasn’t just up there reading lines on paper. He really expressed those words, with passion and vigor that grabbed hold of his audience and kept them glued to his every word. Words that fell like droplets; cool, clear droplets that fell silent on bare shoulders, shivers down the spine; mixing, melting, mingling with an eager, anxious embrace. We flowed, slowly flowed in those words and embraced the energy of the newly created verse;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

There will always be a poem
I will climb on top of it and come
In and out of time,
Cocking my head to the side slightly,
As I finish shaking, melting then Into its body, its soft skin <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It really was fantastic to hear that wonderful poem being read by the poet himself. I’m anxious to see him again . . . just as soon as I can and can’t wait for his new work to come out. He read from his new book, The Petting Zoo<\/em> I think it’s called. Really, really good stuff. And again, gently sprinkled with that perfectly timed humour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it is with the inspiration of Jim’s unique writing style, energy, and vigor that I end this review with a “taste” of my own poem dedicated to Jim, to that night, sitting in a dark room, in a big unfamiliar city, listening to Jim Carroll for the first time;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

DARK ROOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dark room . . .
stale with the burning odour
of nicotine
sticking to the walls
of metamorphosis, scoff the antique

feeling out of place here
in this room
strange complicated race
to get here
to this place, to this room

and me there
sitting on a cement floor
scuffed with dusty footprints
that pace, and pace, and pace
and wait . . .
and listen . . .

and listen . . .
to hear
ripples . . .
ensuing the tide
still drenched in a sea of devotion
to velvet,
soft against my cheek
rub it soft, against my cheek

I watch, and listen, and flow
slowly flow in the words
pouring out of fervent lips
igniting the spoken word
still wet from the ink

flowing through trembling fingertips
falling
in droplets . . .
soothing, clear, cool droplets
falling silent . . .
on bare shoulders, shivers down the spine
mixing, melting, mingling
with an eager, anxious embrace.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jim Carroll and Richard Hell with Groovy ReligionThe Opera HouseToronto, ON, 20 June 1997\u00a0Review by\u00a0Mary-Anne St-Onge I read over again\u00a0Cassie Carter’s article\u00a0regarding the first time she saw Carroll live (can’t believe she was that close to him! aaaaahhh!!) and found her writing somewhat astounding in its description. Her final statement was really excellent ” . … Continue reading The Opera House, Toronto, ON (1997)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3985,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"folder":[38],"class_list":["post-10269","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P9VlUH-2FD","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10259,"url":"https:\/\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/research\/performance-reviews\/jim-carroll-and-richard-hell-with-groovy-religion-the-opera-house-toronto-on-1997-review-by-cathy\/","url_meta":{"origin":10269,"position":0},"title":"The Opera House, Toronto, ON (1997)","author":"Cassie Carter","date":"June 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Jim Carroll and Richard Hell with Groovy ReligionThe Opera HouseToronto, ON, 20 June 1997\u00a0Review by\u00a0Cathy I caught the show last night and it was great. I don't know HOW someone can be so incredibly genuine every time they read. But he was and is. Jim read from his soon to\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10263,"url":"https:\/\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/research\/performance-reviews\/jim-carroll-and-richard-hell-with-groovy-religion-the-opera-house-toronto-on-1997-review-by-aaron-albert\/","url_meta":{"origin":10269,"position":1},"title":"The Opera House, Toronto (1997)","author":"Cassie Carter","date":"June 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Jim Carroll and Richard Hell with Groovy ReligionThe Opera HouseToronto, ON, 20 June 1997\u00a0Review by\u00a0Aaron Albert The poetry reading took place at the \"Opera House\" in downtown Toronto. This concert venue\/bar holds about 450. There are only a few chairs so the majority of the audience sits on the floor.\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4191,"url":"https:\/\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/research\/feature-articles\/carrolls-clean-diaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":10269,"position":2},"title":"Carroll’s clean diaries","author":"catholicboy.com","date":"January 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"By Kieran GrantToronto Sun, 19 June 1997 As the poet laureate who inspired punk rock's first generation in the late '70s, Jim Carroll brought mysticism and beauty to New York City's seamy underbelly.\u00a0The poet, author and erstwhile singer brings that sensibility to the Opera House tomorrow night for a spoken-word\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/kgrant.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4525,"url":"https:\/\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/research\/jim-carroll-cultural-context-histories\/","url_meta":{"origin":10269,"position":3},"title":"Cultural Contexts & Histories","author":"Cassie Carter","date":"January 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"These biographies, histories, and other books contain interviews with Carroll and\/or discussions of him in relation to the primary subject matter. \/\/ THIS PAGE T0 BE UPDATED \/\/ Urban Pastoral: Natural Currents in the New York SchoolPublished: U Iowa UP, 2010By: Timothy GrayDescription: Chapter 7, \"A World Without Gravity: Jim\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4635,"url":"https:\/\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/works\/jim-carroll-music-and-spoken-word\/rare-jim-carroll-albums-live-recordings-videos\/","url_meta":{"origin":10269,"position":4},"title":"Rare Jim Carroll Albums, Live Recordings, & Videos","author":"catholicboy.com","date":"January 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"This page represents some of LaVerne Kreklau's collection of primo recorded rarities and ephemera. If you have anything unusual or any audio or video tapes not listed here, please contact me! Rare Vinyl One World PoetryMilkway Records & Giorno Poetry Systems, 1981Giorno Poetry Systems Records GPS 028-029 This album seems\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"Cover Art - One World Poetry - Giorno Poetry Systems (1981)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/giorno-one-world-poetry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/giorno-one-world-poetry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/giorno-one-world-poetry.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5880,"url":"https:\/\/www.catholicboy.com\/WP\/research\/performance-reviews\/jim-carroll-and-lenny-kaye-at-cornell-university-1997\/","url_meta":{"origin":10269,"position":5},"title":"Jim Carroll and Lenny Kaye Sound Off in Statler Show","author":"Cassie Carter","date":"January 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Cornell University, 3 March 1997 Review by Jade Chang, Cornell Chronicle Musician and author Jim Carroll sings one of his self-penned rock songs, with accompaniment from guitarist Lenny Kaye, at Statler Auditorium on March 3. 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