Poetry at Bard 1970s

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Jackson Mac Low

Jackson Mac Low

Poet and performance artist Jackson Mac Low leading students in sound performance, and reading his own work. Bard College, 03/27/1979. It includes various experimental poems, some derived from other texts, and explores themes of language, sound, and meaning. The speaker also discusses their creative process and inspirations.

Due to machine malfunction, parts of this recording skip and fluctuate. The listener is encouraged to explore both the edited MP3 (for clarity) and the unedited WAV (for strange and protracted silences, as well as oscillations in volume; whose inclusion is perhaps more in the spirit of Mr. Mac Low’s work, and its relationship to chance)
Alice Notley

Alice Notley

A reading given by Alice Notley at Bard College, March 15, 1979. The poems cover diverse themes including New York City life, friendship, love, and existential musings. The poet provides context and personal reflections between readings, offering insights into her creative process and inspirations.
Lydia Davis

Lydia Davis

Reading given by Lydia Davis at Bard College November 11, 1978. Includes: The Senses, Neighbors, The Tasters, Audience, The Strangers, The Messenger, My Husband and I, The Rape of the Inuit Women, The Actors, Sketches for a life of Wasally. The works explore themes of human relationships, isolation, self-perception, and the complexities of everyday life through vivid character studies and introspective narratives.
Robert Kelly

Robert Kelly

Robert Kelly reading his own poetry. Bard College, 10/05/1978. Tape engineered by Michael Heller. It includes several of his poems, including works inspired by the Aeneid, Virgil, and the death of Pope John Paul I. The reading covers a range of themes and poetic styles.
Bruce McClelland

Bruce McClelland

Bruce McClelland reading poetry from his fairy-tale-inspired collection The Märchen Cycle and assorted recent works at Bard College, December 14, 1978, in Ward Manor. The poems cover various themes including fairy tales, mythology, and personal reflections. The speaker provides context and explanations between readings, touching on literary influences and personal interpretations of the works presented.
Paul Violi

Paul Violi

Reading given by Paul Violi at Bard College, October 24, 1978. The poems cover diverse themes, including nature, horse racing, travel experiences, and surreal imagery. Violi intersperses commentary and context between readings, touching on personal anecdotes and literary references.
Anne Waldman

Anne Waldman

Reading given by Anne Waldman at Bard College on November 11, 1978. The works cover themes of nuclear weapons, travel, relationships, and bodily experiences. The poems range from chants and collages to longer prose pieces, incorporating personal observations and cultural references.
Spencer Holst

Spencer Holst

Storyteller Spencer Holst reads his own work, notably from his collection ‘Spencer Holst Stories.’ Side 1 (00:00-1:25:21) is a public reading in Bard Hall, February 17, 1976. Side 2 (1:26:05-end) is a private reading at Hanes Cottage, of his longer story ‘The Institute Of The Foul Ball.’ (Sometimes titled ‘The Institute For The Foul Ball.) February 16, 1976.
Thomas Meyer

Thomas Meyer

A reading given by Thomas Meyer at Bard College on February 26, 1976 in the Towbin Poetry Room, 9:00pm. The poems, mostly untitled and recent, explore themes of nature, perception, language, and existence. Meyer reflects on titling poems and reads several lengthy, introspective pieces with vivid imagery.
Janet Rodney and Nathaniel Tarn

Janet Rodney and Nathaniel Tarn

Reading given by Janet Rodney and Nathaniel Tarn from their joint collection, Alashka. Bard College, February 27, 1976. Recorded in Bard Hall. Introduced by Robert Kelly. They explore themes of nature, indigenous cultures, and human relationships through their collaborative work.
Peter Sourian

Peter Sourian

Peter Sourian reading at Bard College from his then-unpublished novel The House. Recorded March 2, 1976, Bard Hall, 8:00pm. Sourian discusses the challenges of writing autobiographical fiction. He explores themes of family, death, and self-discovery while reflecting on the process of revising and fictionalizing personal experiences.
Charles Stein

Charles Stein

Reading given by Charles Stein at Bard College, March 16. 1976. Recorded in the Towbin Poetry Room, 9:00pm. The reading contains several long poems and poem sequences, including "Parts," "Point Sphinx," and "Horse Sacrifice." The poems explore themes of nature, mythology, consciousness, and the creative process through vivid imagery and philosophical reflections.
Tandy Sturgeon

Tandy Sturgeon

Reading given by Tandy Sturgeon at Bard College on May 21, 1976. Recorded in the Towbin Poetry Room, 7:00pm. The reading covers themes of dreams, tension, and literary influences like Dante. Sturgeon shares personal experiences, explores imagery and emotions, and presents various poems, including a 12-section work called "Trouble" and shorter pieces.
Judith Walcutt

Judith Walcutt

Reading given by Judith Walcutt at Bard College, April 15, 1976, in the Towbin Poetry Room. The poems cover various themes and styles, including older works from Walcutt’s college years, translations, and more recent compositions. The reading concludes with a longer narrative poem titled "Anna Grace."
Theodore Weiss

Theodore Weiss

Theodore Weiss taught at Bard from 1946 to 1966. He then accepted a position as Poet in Residence at Princeton, where he remained until 1987. This recorded reading takes place during a return visit to Bard, probably spring semester of 1976 (he says it's been 10 years). The poet discusses being reminded of Princeton upon returning to Bard, and relates a funny story about a group of Princeton students getting in trouble for playing volleyball in the nude. Weiss introduces each piece in elaborate detail. Titles included in this recording are: 1. Preface 2. Into Summer 3. The Fire at Alexandria 4. House of Fire 5. Moral 6. On Stuffing a Goose 7. The Life Of... 8. The Ultimate Anti-Entropy 9. Far Out Far In 10. This Letter 11. The Way it Works Out 12. A Gothic Tale.
William Wilson

William Wilson

Senior Project reading by William Wilson at Bard College, My 17, 1976. Recorded in the Towbin Poetry Room, 8pm. Reading from ‘Memoir From The Coast Of Dollars and Human Honey.’ The poems explore love, existence, and cultural references, with influences from Jack Spicer and other poets. Wilson provides context and explanations between readings.
John Yau

John Yau

Poetry reading given by John Yau at Bard College on May 20, 1976. Recorded in the Towbin Poetry Room, 9:00pm. Yau reads various poems from his first book and more recent works, covering themes like Chinese culture, urban life, and personal experiences. The reading is divided into two sections with a brief intermission.
Clayton Eshleman

Clayton Eshleman

Reading given by Clayton Eshleman at Bard College on February 25, 1975. Recorded in Bard Hall. The content includes Blackburn reading several of his poems, including works from his long-form poem "Ranger," as well as shorter pieces exploring themes of nature, memory, and the creative process.
Clayton Eshleman

Clayton Eshleman

Reading by Clayton Eshleman at Bard College, October 26, 1975. Recorded in Bard Hall. First Towbin Poetry Festival. Eshleman reads and discusses his recent works, including poems from "The Gull Wall" and new pieces exploring themes of gender, relationships, and artistic creation. He also shares translations of French poetry.
Eugene Guillevic

Eugene Guillevic

Eugene Guillevic (writing under the mononym ‘Guillevic’) reading his poems in French, with each poem preceded by its English translation. Bard College, Towbin Poetry Room, November 14,1975. Translators: George Quasha (reading earlier translations) and Mary Feeny (reading her own, contemporary, translations.)
Kenneth Irby

Kenneth Irby

May 1975, Towbin Poetry Room, Bard College. Irby shares personal anecdotes, reads various poems, and discusses influences like Jesus, Edward Shafer, and Ghalib. Themes include childhood memories, relationships, and spiritual experiences, with commentary on poetic form and inspiration.
Robert Kelly

Robert Kelly

Robert Kelly reading from his recently published work The Loom. Bard Hall, 10/09/1975. Introduction by Clark Rodewald. The poem explores themes of language, encounters with women, and the nature of poetry.
Thomas Kinsella

Thomas Kinsella

Irish poet Thomas Kinsella reading his work at Bard College. Bard Hall, 12/07/1975. 1:30pm. This recording features poet Tom Kinsella reading and discussing his work, including poems from "Notes from the Land of the Dead" and other collections. He explores themes of family, history, and Irish mythology, providing context for his poetic inspirations and techniques.
Jackson Mac Low

Jackson Mac Low

Poet and performance artist Jackson Mac Low conducting a small orchestra for instrument and voice, and reading his own poetry. Performance at the First Towbin Poetry Festival, Bard Hall, 10/25/1975. Introduced by Robert Kelly.
Stuart R. Lavin and Gerard Malanga

Gerard Malanga and Stuart R. Lavin

A reading by S.R. Lavin and Gerard Malanga on December 9, 1975, Towbin Poetry Room. Lavin and Malanga read and discuss their original works, covering themes of love, nature, politics, and personal experiences. The reading includes both free verse and prose poems.