Philip Glass & Allen Ginsberg - Hydrogen Jukebox

Title: Hydrogen Jukebox Artist: Philip Glass & Allen Ginsberg Release Date: 1993 Label: Nonesuch Records Duration: 62:37 Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPC: 075597928624 Genre: Rock Style: Opera Moods: Ambitious, Cerebral, Circular, Epic, Complex, Elegant, Restrained, Sophisticated, Uncompromising, Calm/Peaceful, Reserved Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 2 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 1: Song No.1 (From "Iron
2. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.12 (From "N.S
3. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 1: Song No.2 ("Jahweh an
4. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.14 ("Ayers Ro
5. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 1: Song No.3 (From "Iron
6. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 1: Song No.4 ("To P.O.")
7. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 1: Song No.5 ("Over Denv
8. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 1: Song No.6 (From "Wich
9. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.7 (From "Howl
10. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.8 (From "Cabi
11. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.9 (From "Naga
12. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.10 ("Aunt Ros
13. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.11 (From "The
14. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.13 (From "Nag
15. Hydrogen Jukebox, multimedia theater work~Part 2: Song No.15 Father Dea

Year Type Label Catalog # 1993 CD Nonesuch Records 79286

No other editions were found for this album.

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, All Music Guide

Name Credits Allen Ginsberg Narrator, Performer Andrew Sterman Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Soprano) Ann Pope Engineer Carol Wincenc Flute Dante de Sole Assistant Engineer Elizabeth Futral Soprano (Vocal), Performer Frank Cassara Percussion Gregory Purnhagen Baritone (Vocal), Performer James Law Assistant Engineer Jerome Sirlin Production Design Jim Pugliese Percussion Kurt Munkasci Producer Laura Fried Engineer Martin Goldray Conductor, Keyboards, Programming, Synthesizer Mary Ann Hart Mezzo-Soprano (Vocal) Michael Riesman Producer, Mixing Michele A. Eaton Soprano (Vocal), Performer Miles Green Synthesizer, Programming Nathaniel Watson Baritone (Vocal) Philip Glass Piano, Performer Richard Peck Sax (Tenor)