Basic Black
(Bizarr'd) Used LP $20.00
Beautifully bleak Chicago mugwump (and war vet, apparently) who does an inside-out, dark-and-ugly version of Rod McKuen poetry (or did, anyway, back in 1969, when this LP was originally issued on Chastity Records). Hatred of authority, shallow people, dead people and social workers are all covered topics. Stock sound effects slink around behind the words to underline their effect. Redacted liner notes (attributed to Mary S[weeney]) pull no punches the way only a self-hating poet using a pseudonym can, and recount Black's stints in mental institutions, being a child alcoholic, and his rescue by W[CFL] disc jockey S[tan Dale]. Photocopy paste-on jacket. Numbered edition of 100.