Kerouac Reading Kerouac

Kerouac Reading Kerouac

For the most part this blog likes to keep pace with the manic speed of the blogosphere by only writing on new music, but occasionally we are going to point back to some lesser known tracks/artists. Jack Kerouac is obviously not under the "lesser known" list, but his collection of recorded spoken-word poetry set to jazz improvisation may yet to grace your ipod.

Its a beautiful collection. The Beat poets of the fifties and sixties are often held responsible for the hippy generation, but even more importantly their spoken-poetry had a huge influence on later hip hop that would arise during the eighties. Kerouac reads his poetry with intentional rhythm and melody. His voice, which occasionally breaks into song, is nearly identical to Frank Sinatra's. Take a listen to the slow, graceful narrative he spins on "October in the Railroad Earth":

Jack Kerouac :: October in the Railroad Earth
Jack Kerouac :: The Beat Generation