Scalia, Phil; Bley, Paul; Plymell, Charles

Collecting Scalps

Cherry Valley, NY: Cherry Valley Editions, 2017. First Edition, Second Printing. Stapled Wrappers. Signed by Legendary Literary Outlaw, Charles Plymell. In 2007, photographer Phil Scalia wrote down some of his conversations with late great free jazz pianist Paul Bley (1932–2016). Cogent, lucid, and reflective, these notes do testamentary justice to the Scalia’s lofty assignations. They can, in fact, reasonably ascribe to Bley the potency or power their prose readily affords him. Accompanying Scalia’s cogent, lucid, and reflective musings is a sharp (and, more importantly, authoritative) “bonus” afterword-remembrance of the great jazzman by none other than “legendary literary outlaw,” Charles Plymell—Bley’s onetime neighbor, & friend. Both a loving homage to Bley, and a fitting “diet Festschrift”-like co-production from the literary-directorial team of Scalia and Plymell (assembled by the former, and published by the prior—Charles (and Pamela) Plymell’s legendary longtime imprint, Cherry Valley Editions. This particular copy is signed by Plymell—the rabble-rousing, Outrider poet himself—on title page, beneath the poet’s printed name. Signature, in thin, black pen ink, reads: “Charles Plymell.” Chapbook in stapled wrappers: First Edition, Second Printing, as indicated by copyright page. One of 100 unsigned & unnumbered copies, as noted at colophon. In very fine condition, with only minute shelf-wear to fine-edges & corners of front & back covers; an intriguing & estimable contribution to the Plymell canon. Very Fine. [Item #5097]

Price: $50.00