Various (Bryan, John (Editor); Bruce, Lenny; Edler, Peter; Fisher, Dr. David; Savio, Mario et al.)

The Open City Press Vol. 1 No. 10 (February 10-16, 1965)

San Francisco, CA: Open City Press, 1965. First Edition. Folded Sheets. “Caught the opening of “Brazil 65” (a touring Brazilian Bossa Nova band) at the El Matador last week. The first set was nothing to rave about, but in all fairness I decided to stay for another so I could make a more honest evaluation. I’m sorry I did. The group consists of The Sergio Mendes Trio, with the leader on piano, drummer Chico Batera (the last name means “drums”) and bassist Sebastiao Neto. Mendes is a competent pianist who has recorded with Herbie Mann and reminds me slightly of Horace Silver at times. In addition to the Mendes trio there are two very attractive young ladies, Roshina de Valencia, a talented guitarist, and Wanda de Sah, the vocalist for the group. Most of the happenings center around the ladies. Wanda de Sah sang several tunes, and while she’s a gas to look at, her singing left me cold. Her intonation is poor and her range is limited. Roshina, the group’s self-taught guitarist, is probably the most interesting of the musicians. The group suffers from a limited repertoire…”--Sam Ridge, “Jazzville,” pg. 6. Founded in 1964 in San Francisco by John Bryan (1934-2007), Open City Press was a small press newspaper that covered radical politics, local news & the underground literature of the time and was the forerunner to other underground papers like the Berkeley Barb. This particular issue, Open City Press Vol. 1, No. 10, features: the above quoted “Jazzville” by Sam Ridge, detailing & reviewing a Brazilian jazz band’s recent show; “Freaks First Series Film,” a review of the film Freaks (1932); “Lonely ‘Puff-In” Sparks Campaign to Fill Jails,” a piece about the activist response to marijuana laws by James Wojack; “Ozy Praises O’Neill But Disbelieves 007,” a dual review of both Eugene O’Neill’s play “The Great God Brown” and Guy Hamilton’s Goldfinger (1964) by the mysterious Ozymandias; and “How To Benefit Lenny Bruce,” an excoriating piece highly critical of the legendary comedian by Peter Edler–among many other great contributions and contributors. Newspaper-format folded sheets. First & only printing. In relatively good-near fine condition with mild wear to fine edges, slight tearing along fold crease, a cut-out at upper right-hand corner at page 3, and heavy discoloration due to age-toning throughout. Good-Near Fine. [Item #9467]

Price: $80.00 save 10% $72.00