Reads His Poetry: Limited Edition “Ashtray” Vinyl LP

“This is Charles Bukowski. Well, let me just
sit here and drink beer.” Thus begins the
September 14, 1972 poetry reading
from which this 1980 release on John
Fahey’s Takoma label is drawn. This is
quintessential Bukowski, from the rude
‘n’ crude drawing that adorns the front
cover to the belches that punctuate the
poems. As for the work itself, it’s not
really what you’d commonly conceive
of as poetry, but rather observations
and vignettes drawn from life’s darker
side, focusing on perversions, poverty, drunkenness,
gambling, and bodily functions. But Bukowski’s bemused air and self-deprecating
humor blunt the shock value of the words and emphasize the universality of the
themes. “I want you to hate me,” he says to the audience, but it’s hopeless—he is
one of us.
Now, Real Gone is bringing Bukowski to vinyl in a clear with black swirl “Ashtray”
edition that’s sure to go as fast as the author would polish off your cigarette
butt. EXPLICIT MATERIAL.