'Yesterday we explained language': Reading, Hearing, and Remembering Amiri Baraka

It’s hard to believe that it has been a little over a year since Amiri Baraka left us. Fortunately, we can still hear Baraka’s voice echoing in his poems. Our February 2015 issue includes Baraka’s previously unpublished poem “Tender Arrivals.”

In honor of the anniversary of Baraka’s passing, Thomas Sayers Ellis sent us the following tribute to Baraka, called “Something in the Way Somebody Blew Up Lula.” It is part of a project called “The Amiri Baraka Sessions” by Heroes Are Gang Leaders, a group of musicians and poets. Ailish Hopper wrote a new poem for the occasion, “Truthy Ruth, Play the Other Side,” which you'll hear in the recording. Ellis explains that this piece “charts the relationship between Lula and Clay (Dutchman/LeRoi Jones) all the way up to Baraka’s classic poem ‘In Town.’” The voices and rhythms change to reflect the various tones of this relationship.

You can hear and read more of Amiri Baraka’s work in our archive. You can also read Ellis’s poem “Vernacular Owl,” which he wrote for Baraka. Or if the above clip put you in a musical mood, listen to Ellis read the poem with saxophone accompaniment by James Brandon Lewis on our July/August 2014 podcast.

CREDITS:
Ailish Hopper, Voice
Luke Stewart, Bass
James Brandon Lewis, Saxophone

Warren “Trae” Crudup, Voice
Janice Lowe, Voice
Luke Stewart, Bass
Randall Horton, Voice

Catalina Gonzalez, Voice, Guitar
Luke Stewart, Bass
Ailish Hopper, Lula Laughter

Composed by Luke Stewart, James Brandon Lewis, and Catalina Gonzalez. Poem “Truthy Ruth, Play the Other Side,” written and read by Ailish Hopper. Lula’s Dialogue, from Dutchman written by LeRoi Jones, sung by Janice Lowe. Clay’s Dialogue, from Dutchman written by LeRoi Jones, read by Warren “Trae” Crudup and Randall Horton. “In Town” by Amiri Baraka, sung and re-envisioned by Catalina Gonzalez. Nod to The Roots. Arranged and produced by TSE.