Lion for Real

by Allen Ginsberg

Overview

Recorded in the late '80s, The Lion for Real consists primarily of brief poems set to avant-jazz. Producer Hal Willner has assembled a group that at various times features Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell and Arto Lindsay, and they skillfully navigate the emotional tones and wit in Ginsberg's poems. This doesn't contain any of Ginsberg's major works, but it's a welcome reminder of his irascible humor and mischievousness. [The 1997 reissue of The Lion for Real contains two bonus tracks, including "The Ballad of the Skeltons," which features instrumental support from the unlikely pair of Paul McCartney and Phillip Glass.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/03/1997
Label:	Mercury / Mouth Almighty Records / Polygram
UPC:	0731453490826

Tracks

1. Scribble
2. Complaint of the Skeleton to Time
3. Xmas Gift
4. To Aunt Rose
5. The Lion for Real
6. Refrain
7. The Shrouded Stranger
8. Gregory Corso's Story
9. Cleveland, the Flats
10. The End
11. Stanzas: Written at Night in Radio City
12. Sunset
13. Hum Bom!
14. Kral Majales
15. Guru
16. Ode to Failure
17. C'mon Jack

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Allen Ginsberg   Primary Artist,Vocals
Gary Windo   Guest Artist
Bill Frisell   Guest Artist,Guitar
Steve Swallow   Guest Artist
G.E. Smith   Guest Artist
Lenny Pickett   Guest Artist
Rob Wasserman   Guest Artist
Arto Lindsay   Guest Artist
Marc Ribot   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Marc Ribot   Composer
Lenny Pickett   Composer
Ralph Carney   Composer
Michael Minzer   Executive Producer
Allen Ginsberg   Composer
Hal Willner   Liner Notes,Producer
Michael Blair   Composer
Mark Bingham   Composer
Gary Windo   Composer
Joe Ferla   Engineer,Mixing
Bill Frisell   Composer
Steve Swallow   Composer