Charles Bukowski Albums (7)
'The Life and Hazardous Times of Charles Bukowski: Neither Bought for Gold, Nor to the D'
Release Date 3/29/2005
Tracks 8
Label Chrome Dreams
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What The Critics Say
There's a major strike against this recording of a September 14, 1972, reading in San Francisco that has nothing to do with the performance or the contents of the readings: the fidelity is poor, sounding as if it was made on a cheap portable tape player from the audience. That makes this more of archival historical value than something that might endure as a document of Charles Bukowski at his best in a live setting. Setting the sound quality aside, the author is reasonably effective in this 40-minute set, which is not so much poems -- or what many average listeners might conceive of as poetry, at any rate -- as vignettes and observations. In keeping with the tone of much of Bukowski's work, these tend toward laconic portraits of life's dark side that avoid moralizing. They're laced with references to explicit sexual practices, abuse, poverty, and bodily excretions that still retain their capacity to shock, and won't be well received by the easily offended. Still, they have their value as unflinching reflections of harsh experience, occasionally lightened by some morbid humor. Sometimes individual lines of the pieces are striking, as when he notes "it's darker than hell, and twice as expensive" in "The Shoelace." And sometimes, the wit, sex, bodily excretions, and zest for pushing the limits of acceptable taste all come together, particularly in the concluding ode to anal sex, "The Best Love Poem." Bukowski also lives up to some aspects of his legend with some self-deprecating unflattering comments about his own character, occasionally burping into the mike as if to remind us (as if any reminder was necessary) that he was an uncouth drinker without conventional respect for social etiquette. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
'Solid Citizen'
Release Date 2/17/2004
Tracks 23
Label United States Dist
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What The Critics Say
After several decades out of print -- during which time copies traded hands amongst enthusiasts on the bootleg market -- author Charles Bukowski's infamous Poems and Insults (1975) has been issued on the Grey Matter label. In addition to being a particularly inspired [read: loose] reading, this set from the City Lights in San Francisco in September of 1973 is all the more consequential. Although his stark uncensored text and deadpan inebriated manner are certainly not for everyone, inclined parties will find few documents that so capture his self-deprecating wit, uninhibited narrative observations and unconventional aliterary delivery. Bukowski's unabashed aversion to general decorum or social ability stemmed from his poverty-stricken and abuse-filled childhood and adolescence. Worse still, he was plagued with a severe case of acne that further isolated him from his peers and family. His therapy came in the form of fusing the abnormality into his craft and in this way, Bukowski was able to transmute his pain into a highly original form of communication that was either despised or revered, but rarely ignored. His base morality suggests a perspective epitomizing the crass and decadent nature of modern Western civilization. His ability to connect with an audience is evident throughout this lo-fidelity recording, which seethes an appropriate level of discomfort, yielding an unsettling feeling of maculation. The subject matter deals in deviants of all stripes, including but certainly not limited to bodily functions ("Piss and Shit") to maladies ranging from the irony of sexually psychotic behavior ("Sex Fiends") to oral sodomy ("The Best Love Poem I Can Write at the Moment") and hitting on practically all derivations. His recitations, which are more akin to vignettes than standard poetry, also deal with omniscient themes such as "Death," "Love" and "Law," yet at the center are the series of core Freudian thoughts and revelations -- punctuated by Bukowski's belches and methodical delivery. Supplementing the track list are "A Report Upon the Consumption of Myself" and "Something for the Touts, The Nuns, The Grocery Clerks and You," both contributions from the hard-to-find Cold Turkey Press Special (1972) various-artists platter. While there should be fair warning to the easily offended, those who can stomach, if not enjoy Bukowski's irreverently honest attitudes, opinions and expressions are encouraged to indulge themselves on Poems and Insults (1975), as it remains a conscious-opening experience. Potential consumers should note that a considerably truncated edition surfaced as Reads His Poetry (2004) with less than half the contents. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
"Tonight will be a very dignified reading," intones Charles Bukowski at the outset of this public performance. "I will read dignified poetry in a dignified manner." Of course, this sends the audience into stitches, knowing that Bukowski will soon plunge into his poems, which seem more like anecdotes of gleeful depravity, packed full of prostitutes, horse racing, and displays of drunken candor. One piece finds Bukowski a guest speaker at a pristine private college, feeling under the weather after a night of fierce drinking. ("I think I was in the state of Nebraska or Illinois or Ohio.") In his nausea, he sits mutely before the class of wide-eyed students. When asked questions about his craft, he responds tersely, answering such innocent queries as "What do you think of Norman Mailer?" with "I don't think of Norman Mailer" (or "Who are your three favorite writers?" with "Charles Bukowski, Charles Bukowski, and Charles Bukowski"). While the poet is typically crude throughout the performance -- even in his interaction with the audience -- a couple of surprising things come to light when one hears Bukowski in a live setting: 1) how sweet and reasonable he can sound, and 2) how dead-on his comic timing is. Hostage is essential listening for anyone interested in the mythic Charles Bukowski. This is a highly entertaining recording. ~ Erik Hage, All Music Guide
