Hydrogen Jukebox

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide
A departure for Glass and a new direction for Ginsberg, Hydrogen Jukebox is a great piece of work from two greats in the field of "new art" for the 20th century. The title, borrowed from Ginsberg's poem "Howl," is a dual reference to an American mentality that self-restricts its input -- as well as a body of music that "begins to shake the bones" with the violence of a hydrogen bomb. Glass here becomes more pronounced with his political statements, and Ginsberg orchestrates particularly potent excerpts of his work to comprise an hour-long opera. This is a marked departure from Glass' signature interwoven fabrics of sound. Not that the epic length arpeggios are gone, but they do not signify the total of the music ...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide
A departure for Glass and a new direction for Ginsberg, Hydrogen Jukebox is a great piece of work from two greats in the field of "new art" for the 20th century. The title, borrowed from Ginsberg's poem "Howl," is a dual reference to an American mentality that self-restricts its input -- as well as a body of music that "begins to shake the bones" with the violence of a hydrogen bomb. Glass here becomes more pronounced with his political statements, and Ginsberg orchestrates particularly potent excerpts of his work to comprise an hour-long opera. This is a marked departure from Glass' signature interwoven fabrics of sound. Not that the epic length arpeggios are gone, but they do not signify the total of the music itself. In places, the score approaches rock music in feel. There is beautiful work by the vocal ensemble. A surprising and unexpected element comes in the form of Ginsberg's own voice, whose unique sense of inflection draws the confused listener in; no matter what he is saying, Ginsberg always sounds like he is delivering great news. One of the stronger imperatives here is a call to action for the people of America -- not to sit idly while the world continues to happen around them. There are many strong Buddhist references on this disc both Glass and Ginsberg are adherents. The only low point is that it may be very off-putting to those familiar with Ginsberg's work to hear many of these oft-repeated passages again -- this time put to music. It would have been most exciting to hear new or unreleased work from Ginsberg for this production. To the initiated it comes off like reheating a soufflé. Barring that, this is a strong piece of work with some of Glass' most exciting musical outings in many years. ~ Mark W. B. Allender,
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/26/1993
  • Label: Nonesuch
  • UPC: 075597928624
  • Catalog Number: 79286
  • Sales rank: 87,733

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Part 1: Song No.1 (From "Iron Horse") (6:40)
  2. 2 Part 2: Song No.12 (From "N.S.A. Dope Calypso") (3:40)
  3. 3 Part 1: Song No.2 ("Jahweh and Alliah Battle") - Mary Ann Hart (2:54)
  4. 4 Part 2: Song No.14 ("Ayers Rock"/"Uluru Song"/"Thr - Elizabeth Futral (3:42)
  5. 5 Part 1: Song No.3 (From "Iron Horse") [Medley] (5:42)
  6. 6 Part 1: Song No.4 ("To P.O.") (7:45)
  7. 7 Part 1: Song No.5 ("Over Denver Again. . . ") (5:56)
  8. 8 Part 1: Song No.6 (From "Wichita Vortex Sutra") - Elizabeth Futral (4:23)
  9. 9 Part 2: Song No.7 (From "Howl Part II") (0:40)
  10. 10 Part 2: Song No.8 (From "Cabin in the Rockies") - Richard Fracker & Mary Ann Hart (4:58)
  11. 11 Part 2: Song No.9 (From "Nagaasaki Days (Numbers i (6:00)
  12. 12 Part 2: Song No.10 ("Aunt Rose") (5:51)
  13. 13 Part 2: Song No.11 (From "The Green Automobile") (4:56)
  14. 14 Part 2: Song No.13 (From "Nagasaki Days (Everybody [Medley] - Nathaniel Watson (4:06)
  15. 15 Part 2: Song No.15 Father Death Blues (From "Don' [From Don't Grow Old (5:12)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Philip Glass Primary Artist, Piano
Martin Goldray Conductor, Keyboards, Synthesizer
Allen Ginsberg Narrator, Track Performer
Elizabeth Futral Soprano (Vocal)
Michele A. Eaton Soprano (Vocal)
Richard Fracker Tenor (Vocal)
Mary Ann Hart Mezzo-Soprano (Vocal)
Nathaniel Watson Baritone (Vocal)
Gregory Purnhagen Baritone (Vocal)
Andrew Sterman Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Richard Peck Tenor Saxophone
Carol Wincenc Flute
Frank Cassara Percussion
Jim Pugliese Percussion
Miles Green Synthesizer
Technical Credits
Allen Ginsberg Poetry
Laura Fried Engineer
Ann Pope Engineer
Kurt Munkasci Producer
Michael Riesman Producer
Jerome Sirlin Production Design
Martin Goldray Programming
Miles Green Programming
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