Fonograf Editions' All-Vinyl Library Debuts With Aloha/Irish Trees by Eileen Myles

Fonograf Editions debuts this week with Eileen Myles reading Aloha/Irish Trees on vinyl. Portland-based poet Jeff Alessandrelli is the founder of Fonograf Editions, which, in collaboration with Octopus Books, is inspired by historic audio poetry outlets such as the Caedmon Records poetry series. More:

IF YOUR RECORD COLLECTION includes a poetry album, chances are it didn't come out in the last 40 years. Most likely it's part of the Caedmon Records poetry series from the 1950s and '60s, whose ubiquitous Dylan Thomas and Robert Frost releases are familiar to anyone who's spent time digging through thrift store record bins. And on the off chance you even have a poetry album in your record collection, it's probably not by a poet who's currently alive.

This is something Portland poet Jeff Alessandrelli is hoping to change. Teaming up with local poetry press Octopus Books and taking inspiration from the Caedmon series, Alessandrelli is starting Fonograf Editions, an all-vinyl label featuring living poets reading their work.

Kicking off the Fonograf catalog is legendary counterculture poet Eileen Myles, whose album Aloha/Irish Trees comes out this week. Myles' poems are conversational and brazen, layered things that come alive when read aloud. And Aloha/Irish Trees is a casual and welcoming affair: a no-pretenses, down-to-earth moment with one writer's work. In the recordings, Myles tosses pages to the floor, takes drinks, reads poems twice, gives introductions, swears when she messes up.

Continue via Portland Mercury.