a voice box

Beverly Dahlen - 7.23.80

Beverly Dahlen MP3 [40:37]

A native of Portland, Oregon, Beverly Dahlen has lived in San Francisco for many years. Her first book, Out of the Third, was published by Momo’s Press in 1974. Two chapbooks, A Letter at Easter (Effie’s Press, 1976) and The Egyptian Poems (Hipparchia Press, 1983) were followed by the publication of the first volume of A Reading in 1985 (A Reading 1—7, Momo’s Press). Since then, three more volumes of A Reading have appeared. Chax Press published A Reading 8—10 (1992); Potes and Poets Press: A Reading 11—17 (1989); Instance Press: A Reading 18—20 (2006). Chax Press also published the chapbook A-reading Spicer & Eighteen Sonnets in 2004. Ms. Dahlen has also published work in numerous periodicals and anthologies. A forthcoming issue of Crayon will publish poetry and her essay on beauty.

from LRL textile series

recorded by David Highsmith

Steve Benson - Cortland Corners - 7.23.79

Steve Benson MP3 [39:50]

Steve Benson been associated with other poets often referred to as language writers, particularly during his period of residence in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1976 and 1992. He spent most of 1984 and 1985 in Spain. He grew up in New Jersey. But since 1996 he lives in Downeast Maine, where his practices include parenting and clinical psychology. He serves on the local Co-op board, participates in community groups supporting healthy ecosystems, peace and social justice, and sits at the zendo when he finds opportunity.

via Atelos

photo by KPH

 

Stephen Rodefer - date and location unknown

Stephen Rodefer MP3 [25:46]

Stephen Rodefer is an American poet and painter who lives in Paris and London. Rodefer is one of the founders of the L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E poetry movement. He knew many of the early beat and Black Mountain poets, including Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Charles Olson, and Robert Creeley.

His papers were purchased by Stanford University and are on permanent view there.

via wikipedia

lots more here: http://rodefer.ms11.net/

recorded by David Highsmith

photo by Ben Friedlander (edits by yrs truly): http://www.flickr.com/photos/mongibeddu/71460204/

The David Highsmith Archive

I was recently granted access to an archive of over 50 tapes of readings recorded by longtime Bay Area poet and bookseller David Highsmith. The bulk of the recordings were made in the late 70s and early 80s and feature poets from almost every major movement that has emerged from the region.

Check back for recordings from the likes of Robert Duncan, Lyn Hejinian, Michael McClure, Rae Armantrout, Michael Palmer, Bev Dahlen, Cid Corman, Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge, Philip Whalen and many others.

Kathleen Fraser - Julia Morgan Center - 5.23.80

Kathleen Fraser MP3 [43:58]

Kathleen Fraser's published works include What I Want (1974), Magritte Series (1977), New Shoes (1978), Each Next, narratives (1980), Something (even human voices) in the foreground, a lake (1984), Notes Preceding Trust (1987), When New Time Folds Up (1993), WING (1995), il cuore : the heart - New & Selected Poems (1970-1995) (1997), and Categories Forced Into Coupling (2004).

During her teaching career at San Francisco State University from 1972 to 1992, she founded The American Poetry Archives and both wrote and narrated the hour video Women Working in Literature.

Fraser was a cofounder, with Beverly Dahlen and Frances Jaffer, of the feminist poetics newsletter (HOW)ever. From 1983-1991, Fraser published and edited HOW(ever), a journal focused on innovative writing by contemporary women and neglected texts by American modernist women writers.

via wikipedia

more complete bio here: http://epc.buffalo.edu/authors/fraser/fraser-pub.html

photo via: http://jacketmagazine.com/33/fraser-ivby-rosenthal.shtml