Various artists:

Utopia Americana

Why bomb? We didn't want to bomb!

(Allen Ginsberg)

Recorded in 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992

Allen Ginsberg voice, harmonium (1-10) Geordie Arnold, Jay Clayton, Pamel Fraley voice (2) Bob Becker, Russ Hartenberger, David Van Tieghem, Glen Velez marimba, xylophone (2) Steve Chambers, Janis Jarrett, Nurit Tilles piano (2) Richard Cohen, Leslie Scott clarinet, bass clarinet (2) Shem Guibbory violin (2) Ken Ishil cello (2) Larry Karushi piano, maracas (2) James Preiss metallophone, piano (2) Steve Reich piano, marimba (2) Gary Schall marimba, maracas (2) Michael Galasso midi-violin (3) Ben Neill mutantrumpet/electronics, piccolo trumpet/electronics (4) Don Yallech drums, percussions (4) Josh Dubin pedal steel guitar (4) Gary Capetandes trombone (4) Pat McCarty bass trombone (4) Marcus Rojas tuba (4) Ensemble Percussione Ricerca: Aurelio Corradini, Eddy De Fanti, Gottardo Paganin, Guido Vianello, Paolo Zanella tin cans, N.W. indian rattle, indochinese rattle, maracas, tom toms, claves, teponaxtle, chinese cymbal, cow bells, lion's roar, tambourine, quijadas, cricket callers, conch (5) David Behrman electronics (6) Pauline Oliveros expanded accordion (7) Panaiotis processing, mixing (7) Steve Lacy soprano saxophone (8) Polly Bradfield violin (9) Andrea Centazzo percussions (9) Eugene Chadbourne guitars (9) Tom Corra cello (9) Toshinori Kondo trumpets (9) John Zorn reeds (9)

Ind. Title Composer / Author Dur.
1/ Hum Bomb Allen Ginsberg 3:05
2/ Music For 18 Musicians Steve Reich 11:25
3/ Baroque Michael Galasso 2:33
4/ Bal Ben Neill 5:32
5/ Third Construction John Cage 11:20
6/ A Traveller's Dream Journal (EWR-LAX) David Behrman 6:53
7/ A Woman Sees How The World Goes With No Eyes Pauline Oliveros 7:20
8/ Pannonica / Work Thelonious Monk 7:36
9/ First Environment For Sextet John Zorn , Andrea Centazzo 13:14
10/ Father Death Blues Allen Ginsberg 3:22

Recorded 1-10 recorded live in Torino (Italy) at Teatro Regio on 24 January 1992 / 2 recorded live in New York City in Town Hall on 24 April 1976 / 3 recorded in New York on January 1992 / 4 recorded in New York at B.C. Studio in 1986 (from "Mainspring", Ear-Rationall ecd 1002) / 5 recorded in Mestre (Italy) at Studio Dalmine in January 1983 (from "John Cage First Construction", Artis Records ARCD 021) / 6 recorded in New York at D.B Studio in January 1992 / 7 recorded in New York at Studio Pass in 1969 (from "Crone Music", Lovely Music LCD 1903) / 8 recorded live in New York at Knitting Factory on 30 December 1990 / 9 John Zorn recorded in New York at WKCR Radio Station on 7 November 1978 (from "Enviroment for sextet", Ictus Records 0017)

Compiled by Renzo Pognant Gros. All tracks unissued except 4-5-7-9.

Cover photography: Enrico Carpegna. Art direction: 242 design. Texts: Giovanni Ramello. English translations: John Irving.