Walt Whitman
www.mergepoetrymusic.com For more information visit With deep gratitude to Levon Helm and the staff of Levon Helm Studios, and the Faculty Center for Media Technologies and the Dean of Faculty, Williams College, Williamstown, MA. Art direction by Daniel Potter, Silverthreaded, Santa Barbara, CA. Original cover art by Peter Bodge (wood/linoleum print), Merrimac, MA and by Meredith Winer (letterpress design), Chicago, IL. All music © Erik Lawrence, published by Art of Hearing Publishing (BMI), except Track 6 © Allison Miller, published by Supaphine Publishing (ASCAP) and Tracks 13-16 © Rene Hart, published by Art of Hearing Publishing (BMI). All lyrics © 2006 by Cassandra Cleghorn, published by Art of Hearing Publishing (BMI). Track 1, translation of “Nuit” by Max Jacob (French, 1876-1944). Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper, Turtle Tone Studio, New York, NY. Recorded and mixed by Justin Guip at Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock, NY.
Produced by Cassandra Cleghorn and Erik Lawrence.
Miller
Cleghorn
Hart supportive music created on the spot by Erik Lawrence and members of his band Hipmotism.
If I really wanted you to hear— to remember what I’m saying,
In an era when Spoken Word has finally come to fruition, the spirit of ensemble and spontaneity that Jack Kerouac and I pioneered in NYC’s first-ever jazz poetry reading in 1957 is now reaching new plateaus.
I’d write these words in honey, in a language you don’ t yet know.
Merge is another step forward in celebrating the marriage of poetry and music.
”
Have you trace each letter with your tongue,
David Amram
September 10, 2006 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Firefly 1:42 Plan/Tearwater Tea 4:03 No Smoke, No Wires/Dashiuh 4:46 Honey 4:33 Whistle Stop 3:35 Bourrée 4:19 Owl 3:25 The Map 0:16 Matter of Time 4:28
10. Project Grizzly
4:25
11. Lines to Blow Over
1:01
12. The Leave-taking
3:07
have you swallow lesson upon lesson
The Kit 13. Box
1:56
14. Gut
3:09
15. Bow
1:46
16. Gum
2:09
17. Camino Cielo
2:44
18. Winds Blow Through Me
3:58
until you beg for a little salt. Then, all talked out, I would give you a crust brushed with tears.
Cassandra Cleghorn, Poetry / Voice Erik Lawrence, Saxophones and Flutes Rene Hart, Acoustic Bass Allison Miller, Drums Recorded at Levon Helm Studios Woodstock, New York May 29 and June 28, 2006
prod master: sales order: acct mgr: artist: bus. rel.: contact: ofa date:
Lawrence
Honey
This, this is listening.
Cassandra CLEGHORN Erik LAWRENCE Rene HART Allison MILLER
Cassandra Cleghorn May 2006
“
”
I think I will do nothing for a long time but listen, And accrue what I hear into myself.... and let sounds contribute toward me.
Merge is an exciting and highly creative new collaboration between the “intimate and innovative poetry of Cassandra Cleghorn and the brilliant