Beat Scene No. 95 (Autumn 2019)
Coventry, England: Beat Scene Press, 2019. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. This latest (as of this writing) issue of the essential Beat Generation-devoted literary journal published by Kevin Ring in the UK features a wonderful article by Jim Pennington, the man behind Aloes Books (of White Subway et al. fame) & our esteemed colleague at the European Beat Studies Network (ebsn.eu). Entitled "Journeys to JouJouka and Gysin," Pennington recalls his & co.'s adventures in Morroco to meet & experience the legendary JouJouka musicians, followed by a pilgrimage to Paris to visit Brion Gysin, the great writer-artist who was by far the most profound creative collaborator with William S. Burroughs & who more than anyone introduced the magical JouJouka phenomenon to westerners. It is a delightful, insightful work of memoir by the inimitable Pennington. Also in this issue are a very interesting eyewitness essay by Jake Rabinowitz about his impressions of WSB during his later Lawrence, Kansas period; another by acclaimed Jack Kerouac biographer/bibliographer Ann Charters about her late, esteemed husband Sam Charters' canonical critical volume, Some Poems Poets: Studies in American Underground Poetry since 1945 (1971); an interview with George Scrivani conducted by Ring about his discovery of recordings of 1970s-vintage readings by Gregory Corso; a memorial tribute to the great Beat-related photographer Robert Frank upon his recent passing; a fascinating article about Allen Ginsberg in the wake of the controversial appearance of Kerouac on William F. Buckley Jr.'s Firing Line TV show during 1968; & much, much more. With many reviews including a re-issue of Gysin's classic Brion Gysin Let the Mice In (to which WSB & Ian Sommerville contributed); reproductions of contemporary images throughout; & a particularly bold, brilliant illustration of Kerouac by Jonathan Collins on front cover. Another rich, indispensable issue in this series that always more than lives up to its motto: "This is The Beat Generation." In very fine condition, basically as-new with only a few tiny creases & bumps at edges & corners of front, back covers & stapled spine; tiny bumps at corners of a few page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #3387]
Price: $30.00