U2 Feedback - The Joshua Tree Files: Allen Ginsberg, Rock Star*

Sponsor: Your Source for Sold Out U2 Shows - TotalTickets.com

INTERFERENCE.COM U2 Fans, 'Zine, and More
U2 Tour Photos U2 News \| U2 Shop \| U2 Tickets \| Chat \| Forum \| Lyrics \| Tabs \| Gatherings \| Links \| Write for Us! \| @U2Email.com U2 Tour \| Register \| Contact Us \| Invite Friends \| User CP \| F.A.Q./Rules \| Search \| Members \| Journals \| Logout

U2 Feedback » 'Zine » Content » The Joshua Tree Files: Allen Ginsberg, Rock Star*

*Information for - "The Joshua Tree Files: Allen Ginsberg, Rock Star"**
You can:		Print thread	Email thread	Last Thread Next Thread
Thread Statistics:	1789 views	1 replies
Thread tracking:	You are not subscribed to this thread.		Subscribe with PM, e-mail or Control Panel notification. Or unsubscribe

Author

Thread

The Joshua Tree Files: Allen Ginsberg, Rock Star*

By Andy Smith, Editor
2007.11

While the deluxe edition of the Joshua Tree may be the first introduction for some U2 fans to the poetry of Allen Ginsberg (featured on the track “Drunk Chicken/America”), Bono has long been a fan of Ginsberg’s work, and Ginsberg has long been a friend of rock and roll.

Bono’s tributes to the late Beat poet, practicing Buddhist, and part-time punk rock rapper include an interview segment on a recent Ginsberg DVD and verbal props in his litany of great Americans listed in the Liberty Medal acceptance speech.

Tucked away at the backend of a rarities disc and clocking in at less than two minutes, “Drunk Chicken/America” begs more than the casual listen and deserves better than the reputation as a throwaway track of spoken word spewed over a studio prank.

That said, it’s not the stellar standout for either U2 or Ginsberg that we might have hoped for. U2 have better experimental tracks and many more powerful renditions of the poem “America” are in circulation. Even still, the sweet collaboration conveys the enigmatic spirit of what makes both artists enigmatic.

Before this, one of Ginsberg’s more impressive poetic offerings on a rock album arrived with the Clash’s Combat Rock. There, Ginsberg lends verse the track “Ghetto Defendant” where in one line he references the poet Arthur Rimbaud as “the ghetto prince of gutter poets.”

U2 are not alone among rock stars who have worked with the counterculture bard or admired Ginsberg’s contribution to American culture. Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Phillip Glass, and Sonic Youth are among his admirers.

Born in June 1926 and with us until April 1997, Ginsberg lives on in his words. His repuration as a great American writer has only grown in the decade since his passing.

For more information about the legacy of Allen Ginsberg, visit the Allen Ginsberg trust at (LINK HERE: To view this link you must Register. If you're already a member, Login Here!)

Published on 11-21-2007 at 10:26 PM

Reader Comments:

dj_tranquility
The Fly

Location: MA
Local time:
05-18-2008 02:34 AM
Registered: Jan 2003
Posts: 62

Buddy Listed by...

12-16-2007 04:31 PM -

Ginsberg came to my college in 1995, and I feel privileged to have had the chance to hear him. Truly amazing.

Edit Your Sig | Sig Edit (Staff) | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged | Link to this post

Offline

Click here to Send dj_tranquility a Private Message

All times are GMT. The time now is 02:34 AM.

Last Thread Next Thread

Forum Jump:

Rate This Thread:

U2 Feedback » 'Zine » Content » The Joshua Tree Files: Allen Ginsberg, Rock Star*

Forum Rules:

You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

HTML code is OFF
vB code is ON
Smilies are ON
[IMG] code is ON

If this is your first time here then please take the time to register. Registration is FREE and afterwards you can take advantage of the great features this site has to offer!
Register to avoid this message in the future.
If you're already a member, Login Here!
(This window will self close in 10 seconds)

< Contact Us - Interference.com >

U2 Shop | Other Artists: REM | Radiohead