Michael McClure is a Beat Generation poet, playwright and songwriter. Ray Manzarek is a founding member of The Doors, songwriter and music producer. Together they take their loyal fans on a musical mind expanding journey with their creations. Their collaboration was documented in the Oglio Home Video release “The Third Mind” and brought to life in this all new album of thought provoking poetry.
The Doors were influenced by the 1960s beatniks and that spirit continues with this collaboration. When asked “What’s the difference between Jim Morrison’s rock lyrics and a poem?” Ray responded that “There really is no difference between Jim’s poetry writings and his music lyrics.”
Jim Morrison introduced Michael McClure to Ray during the recording sessions for “Waiting For The Sun.” That fateful meeting is still bearing fruit today with “The Piano Poems: Live From San Francisco.”
Larry Kassin is featured on flute in 13 of the 14 tracks on this collection. Larry founded the internationally recognized Noe Valley Music Series in 1981, at the Noe Valley Ministry in San Francisco, California.
Oglio Records has released a soundtrack album ("Love Her Madly") and a DVD ("The Third Mind") with the legendary Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. This latest release, a collaboration with Ray and poet Michael McClure entitled "The Piano Poems: Live From San Francisco", takes Ray's music to another dimension.
Michael McClure states:
On a cold, foggy night in San Francisco after a great Japanese meal, Manzarek and I stepped onto the stage and there were sparks of consciousness — the stage was on fire with poems and piano Improvisations. The symbiosis and the synergy made lights. Then Larry Kassin stepped up to join us with his jazz flute and Lou Judson was recording. This is a live album with its heart still beating — no tricks, gimmicks, or second takes. We are bringing together my poetry and Ray’s improvisations that shape my word-sounds into richer meanings: Piano Poems.
There’s no way to be without a politics or an antipolitics, no way to be without art, without anger and generosity, without laughter and kindness.
That’s the edge we’re whetting on this album.
—Michael McClure
More details coming soon. Release date: August 14, 2012.