Meltzer, David

Rock Tao

ISBN: 9781946583246
Fruita, CO: Lithic Press, 2022. First Edition. Softcover. “Presented on the page as a textual collage in six parts, Meltzer alternates quotations from the I Ching with Greek philosophy and lyrics by the Supremes. He expounds on the teen appeal of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and touches on the artistry of Sam Cooke and showmanship of James Brown, among others. Weaving in and out of the music with scene-changing headlines, Meltzer chronicles, annotates, observes and critiques his times in “Rock Tao,” providing a portal into the mind of an insider.” (Denise Sullivan, “David Meltzer’s ‘Rock Tao…’in the SF Chronicle, March ‘22). Friend of the Store, Patrick James Dunagan—editor of David Meltzer’s (1937-2016) convention-defying, boundary-leveling book of metamorphic rock criticism Rock Tao—describes in the Chronicle article quoted above what it was like “unearthing the manuscript from stacks of materials Meltzer left behind in the Oakland apartment he shared with his second wife, poet Julie Rogers, until he died in 2016 at age 79.” Julie went on to further explicate David’s great preoccupation/fascination with this book, describing him and his relation to it in a manner that suggests he was well aware of its special power in comparison to others comprising his oeuvre: “He had a lot invested in his book [Rock Tao]," said Rogers. "He tried to get it published when he was younger before he had a name and the influence he had as an elder. He wanted to see it in print.” In print it presently is, and handsomely so; the collaborative effort of Fruita, Colorado’s Lithic Press and the masterful artist & graphic designer, Kyle Harvey. Meltzer’s text is everything the copy above intimates, or promises plus much, much more; derivations of process (relating to music, lyricism, poetics and the conferential nature of art scenes) wade beside pop-culture conveyance and psychedelic spiritualisms. Like the Chambers Brothers’ classic “Time Has Come Today” notes, Meltzer’s was a soul that “had been psychedelicized,”—and while I’m not completely sure when Meltzer’s cardinal experiences with LSD took place, it was still of course legal in 1965 and effectively part of the Grateful Dead’s [then ‘The Warlocks’] merch table. What is clear, however is the depth, foxlike quickness and penetrative lucidity of Meltzer’s mind and pen; a visionary light undimmed, even still. We hosted Patrick James Dunagan at Third Mind Books on November 5th, 2022, for a book discussion and signing. Large-Format Softcover Original: First Edition, First Printing, though not explicated as such on copyright page. Book is in Very Fine condition bordering on as new with only minute shelf-wear to the fine edges and corners of the front, back covers & spine. Very Fine. [Item #5914]

Price: $20.00