Tosh Berman's Blog, page 87
June 4, 2021
"Index of Women" by Amy Gerstler (Penguin Poets) 2021
ISBN: 9780143136217Amy Gerstler is the perfect cocktail of literary essence. Her poetry is like the most delicious plate of ice cream, but it never leaves you with a stomach ache or regret for overeating. It's a perfectly placed series of images, language that plays with each other, as well as a narration (in the prose) poetry that is genuinely moving. "Letters From a Lost Doll" is based on correspondence by Kafka to a little girl who lost her doll. Kafka told the little girl that the doll is not lost but just traveling. So, he sent letters to her as if the doll was dropping communication throughout her travels. Gerstler does the same in her version, and it's a remarkable presence of an object (doll) communicating with life. "Index of Women" has no weak points. Every poem fits into the picture, and it's a beautiful puzzle.
Novi - "Novi Sing Chopin" Vinyl, LP, Album, 1971 (Polskie Nagrania Muza)
I have been looking for the vinyl of this album for quite a while now. Novi is a Jazz vocal quartet from Poland. I have two albums by them. One is Vocal Jazz From Poland 1965-75, and the other is this masterpiece recording Novi Sing Chopin. For at least two years, I have been trying to locate this album in the United States, and finally, it shows up in yesterday's mail. Since then, I have been looking at this cover, not fully believing that I got this precious item in my house. Then I put it on my turntable - pure bliss.
I love Chopin's melodies. I knew his name, of course, but in reality, I first heard his music through Serge Gainsbourg's Lemon Incest. It took me a few years to realize that Gainsbourg 'borrowed' the melody for his magnificent record. Then came Jack Nitzsche's album of Chopin music, which is also a favorite of mine. And now I have and love Novi Sing Chopin. However, there is something perverse when I only listen to Chopin through a pop or jazz context. That, I can't explain why?
My knowledge of Novi is limited. They are from Poland and were formed in Warsaw in 1964. All their recordings are from the Polish label Polskie Nagrania Muza, except for their compilation Vocal Jazz From Poland 1965-75 came out on a German record label. The four members of Novi are Bernard Kawka, Ewa Wanat, Janusz Mych, and Ryszard Szeremeta. The entire album is their four vocals, with an occasional stand-up bass, but played so lightly it's almost an ambient sound. It's really a beautiful blending of vocals with heart-wrenching melodies. There is a 20th mid-century vibe, and one can close their eyes and think of themselves in a John Lautner architectural home, with a nearby wet bar. That is a surface visual reference, but the music on the album burns the essence of the purity of the melodies. For me, a perfect album.
All 22 Episodes of Tea With Tosh on YouTube
In the 1980s I did 22 episodes of "Tea With Tosh." I imagine myself being a combination of William F. Buckley and Dick Cavett. But geared for housewives in the afternoon. That was my mind set at the time. I interviewed everyone from Philip Glass to Bruce Conner to Russ Tamblyn, people from Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center to Tom Recchion and beyond. I also interviewed my future wife Lun*na Menoh. Basically this is how we met.
You can see all 22 episodes of "Tea With Tosh" here:
June 3, 2021
Tosh Berman on Sgt Pepper Album Cover in Memoir TOSH as well as June 1, 2014
wrote about the image down below in my memoir TOSH: Growing Up in Wallace Berman's World, as well as a separate piece called "June 1, 2014." You can purchase the limited edition, hand-made chapbook on eBay as well my book at your favorite independent bookstore or online store. If your store is out of stock on my book, you can easily special order a copy through that store.
June 2, 2021
Wallace Berman Art Post Sent to Piero Heliczer
My father Wallace Berman was friends with the poet Piero Heliczer. Funny enough I was researching old Little Caesar journals (published by Dennis Cooper) this morning for a project I'm working on for the Hammer Museum. I came upon an issue devoted to Piero's work in that journal. Nevertheless, by accident (do they really happen?) I found this post card art by Wallace sent to Piero. My dad eventually did a book cover for Piero as well. So, Wallace Berman art sent to Piero Heliczer.
Jack Nitzsche - "The Reprise Singles 1963-1965" Vinyl, Compilation, 2021 (Hanky Panky Records)
Something is compelling as one listens to Jack Nitzsche's arrangements. The romantic sweep is close to rapture or listening to Wagner, yet in essence, it's teenage music. The sexual feelings are mixed with the grandness of the strong bass and sweeping/weeping strings. If you put this record on a turntable and played it for me, without seeing the album cover or telling me who it is, I would know it's the work of Jack Nitzsche.
The Reprise Singles 1963-1965 captures the height of Nitzsche's approach to music. A grand gesture of strong emotional ties to the essence of love, mixed with a masochist's touch for a painful endearing relationship with a questionable muse. In a nutshell, this is music that could have inspired Nik Cohn and Guy Peellaert's Rock Dreams.
June 1, 2021
Lun*na Menoh on the Bitch Talk Podcast
Lun*na Menon on the Bitch Talk podcast
Lun*na Menoh talks about her work and the documentary film "Who Is Lun*na Menoh?
Book Musik No. 47 "You Lose Yourself, You Reappear: Bob Dylan and the Voices of a Lifetime" Discussion with author Paul Morley
Book Musik 047 – You Lose Yourself, You Reappear: Bob Dylan and the Voices of a Lifetime – discussion with author Paul MorleyPosted on June 1, 2021 by Book Musik
Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Paul Morley to discuss his new book You Lose Yourself, You Reappear: Bob Dylan and the Voices of a Lifetime.Morley explores Dylan’s development as an artist via his numerous “voices” both sonically and metaphorically from his early beginnings in the late 50s/early 60s to his astonishing release last year of Rough and Rowdy Ways.Dylan is notoriously known as someone who is loath to be pinned down and stay in the same place creatively. Those who are willing to go on the ride with him are more than happy, are in fact grateful, for every twist and turn, and every high and low.
Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17
