iPoet

08 NaPoMo at C'est le Vin - Joanna Lee

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:11:04 PDT

National Poetry Month at C'est le Vin - Joanna Lee

Our poetessa, Joanne Lee, concluded the evening by sharing insights about her poetry and the influence of medical school and life by the James River. She read "Confession for a Thursday Night," "Citrinitas," "Dollar Bill Poker at the Bar on Saturday," "Redheaded Harlum," and an Indian poem: "Poem about Termites."

08 Poetry and Conclusion by Joanna Lee

07 NaPoMo at C'est le Vin - Kelley Lane

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:08:28 PDT

National Poetry Month at C'est le Vin - Kelley Lane

Kelley, also known as Lance Kelley, conducts poetry workshops in Shockoe Slip at The Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe, 1217 E. Cary Street.(The next workshop is April 30th.) He spoke about the great Sufi poets, demonstrated meditation by whirling, and read poems by Hafiz-e Shirazi - حافظ.

07 Hafiz-e Shirazi - Kelley Lane.mp3

06 NaPoMo at C'est le Vin - Jimmy Warner

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:55:17 PDT

National Poetry Month at C'est le Vin - Jimmy Warner

Jimmy Warner, one of the original Shockoe Poets, reads his poem, "Storm Watching." He paints pictures with words, letting the audience hold the brush. The images become movies played by reflections on glass, the story is told by the presence of absence, unique to each listener. It touches on the poetry inside us all.

Jimmy's second poem was "The Doomsday News," read by Joanna and J T. The audience warmed to this humorous satire and had a good laugh as I attempted to pronounce "polyphiloprogenitive" and blew it.

06 Storm Watching | The Doomsday News - Jimmy Warner

05 Monk and Love - Super64

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:15:33 PDT

National Poetry Month at C'est le Vin - Super64

05 Well You Needn't - T. Monk | Charles Hibbler pours out the love | My Funny Valentine

Guitar: Randy Burton

Randy’s many recording and performance credits with folk, rock, and jazz ensembles include The Trousers. Randy’s red guitar is a Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III which he plays through an Acoustic Image Corus III amplifier.

Harmonicas: Bob Lambert

Formerly with the bands Big Tobacco and the CAPtONEs, Bob has played jazz, blues, rock, and folk since the early 90s. He has performing and songwriting credits on Larry Rice’s CD Little House.

Drums: Charles Hibbler

Charles always brings a fun and exciting approach to his playing. In addition to his work with us he plays in the house band for Emilios Restaurant in Richmond.

Skip Barkley

Skip is an experienced jazz drummer equally at home in a tender ballad or rocking blues. He has had the pleasure of working with many fine musicians, including a jam with Wynton Marsalis.

Bass: Owen Weeks:

Owen is a Virginia Commonwealth University music grad with extensive experience playing both latin and swing styles in many different settings. You can always hear a bit of the latin rhythms when Owen’s in the house!

Brian Cruse

Brian is a versatile professional whose vary from serving as the Principal Bass Viol in the Petersburg Symphony to the rock band Marionette. Brian sets a solid foundation with sensitive acoustic or funky electric depending on the situation.

04 NaPoMo at C'est le Vin - Randy Burton

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:13:37 PDT

National Poetry Month at C'est le Vin - Randy Burton

Randy Burton, guitarist for Super64, forsook the band and joined the poets to deliver "Time Marches On" and "Well," a deep poem exploring the depths of Thelonious Monk's famous piece, "Well You Needn't." His timing was impeccable. Rejoining the band, he and Super64 delivered the meaning of Monk's masterpiece - without words!

04 Time Marches On and Well - Randy Burton

03 NaPoMo 2012 at C'est le Vin - J T Brown

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:35:36 PDT

National Poetry Month at C'est le Vin - J T Brown

Audio geek and poet, J T Brown, was called to the mic by Poetessa Joanna. After stumbling over computer and mixer cables, he managed the five foot trip to the mic. There was at first some mumbling and digression, but finally delivered three axe grinders that appeared to be well received, the applause being sufficient to overcome the ringing of his tinitus.

03 Overqualified | Mr. Greedy Guts | Dr. Freeman's Coming - J. T. Brown

02 NaPoMo at C'est le Vin - Vernon Wildy, Jr.

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:39:59 PDT

National Poetry Month at C'est le Vin - Vernon Wildy, Jr.

Vernon Wildy, author of "Nice Guys Finish Last," was first poet at the mic. He gave a full bodied rendition of his poetic, stream of consciousness commentary, "Writings on April," and "I Know What I Know."

02 Writings on April and I Know What I Know - Vernon Wildy Jr

01 NaPoMo at C'est le Vin - Intro by Joanna Lee

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:06:56 PDT

National Poetry Month April 2012

Celebrated April 19th at C'est le Vin in Shockoe Bottom,Richmond Va. in a gala performance of local poets with jazz by Super64

AudioTale had the privilege of recording this event for posterity (not prosperity). Jimmy Warner kindly provided his PA system. Super64 poured forth cool silvery licks of the finest vintage. Use the links below to hear visionaries and polyglots expound on the nature of poetry and hurl words like "polyprophilogenitive" at the audience. These mp3s are filled with drama, love and humor.

Intro by Poetessa Joanna Lee - Elegy of a Birth (Polyglot)

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter 6

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:31:52 PDT

Chapter 6, The Passing of Ogun. The last chapter to 'Myths of Ife' by John Wyndham. Ogun chooses the way of peace that Aramfe always loved. After the Ubo Wars Ogun is praised for the peace and security of the kingdom by wives and old men, but young Oranyan is praised by the young for his battles and exploits. Oranyan returns from distant wars and demands the crown.

A division among the old and young men occurs, but Ogun can see he is rejected. He remembers when he and Oduwa watched the five clawed bird found the hills of earth, then the vision pales: "the Sun of yesterday climbed up - to shine on a new order... so passed old Ogun from the land." (John Wyndham)

Myths of Ife Chapter 6

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter 5

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:35:33 PDT

Chapter IV, The Ubo Wars. After the war of the Gods King Ogun, the deity of iron, reigns. Ife learns the arts of heaven's peace again and the people multiply until the youth seek new homes and found the city of Ubo. Word reaches Ife that the inhabitants there will not worship Ogun, but King Ogun scoffs and laughs, saying, "Who lights his lamp between the leopard's paws?"

Olubo, King of Ubo, invades Ife and enslaves the men: despair ensues. The gods leave Ife by transforming themselves to stones and rivers, except for Ogun, who stays. Morimi learns the secret of Ubo's warriors, who dress in straw costumes. She tells Oranyan who takes back Ife by burning the Ubo invaders.

Myths of Ife Chapter V

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter 4

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:28:08 PDT

Chapter IV, The Sacrifice of Morimi. Morimi is a key heroine in Ife mythology. She was a person of high stature, and by marrying Obalufon she helped to unite warring factions in the kingdom, resulting in a period of peace, prosperity and artistic achievement under Obalufon's rule. Morimi was unable to give Obalufon a son like his other wives - she had only her daughter Adetoun. She consults with Ifa, the messenger of the Gods, who uses divination with the Okpelle (a divination charm constructed of bark) to determine what she must do to bear a son. The sacrifice of Adetoun is required, causing Morimi to flee in terror of the deed which love commands and love condemns. She seeks a second divination and is told the same thing. In the end Edi, the smooth tongued perverter, convinces her it is required for the good of the nation and Obalufon. The deed is done.

Myths of Ife Chapter IV

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter 3

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 11:20:21 PDT

In Chapter III, The War of the Gods, Araba tells of the fable of Earth, Water and Forest. The strife betweeen Oduwa and Orisha brings war to Ife and Aramfe tries to stop it, but to no avail. Ogun, the God of Iron, and Obalufon, ask Oduwa to give back the bag to Orisha, but Oduwa refuses and transforms to stone and sinks beneath the soil, taking the bag of knowledge of the ways of mysteries and hidden treasures with him.

Myths of Ife Chapter III

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham Chapter 2

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:26:26 PDT

Chapter II is called 'The Descent.' Araba, the messenger of all the Gods, tells how the Gods arrive at the edge of heaven and peer down to chaos and untamed waters. Oduwa sends Ojumu to pour magic sand upon the sea with the five clawed bird to scatter land upon the Earth. As the land is made the waves threaten to suck it away so Oduduwa sends Olokun and Olossa to rule the seas and guard the coastlands.

The Gods descend to a sunless world of sorrow. Aramfe is moved with compassion and sends fire, the Moon, and the Sun. Ogun teaches iron making and Obalufon makes brass vessels and teaches how to make wine. The drum, dance, and music are played at night and the age of mirth begins under Oduduwa's reign.

Myths of Ife Chapter II

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham - Chapter I

jtbrown@audiotale.com (J. T. Brown) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 12:14:34 PDT

In the spring of 2011 The Virginia Museum of Fine Art gave an exhibition of African Art called Dynasty and Divinity Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria. In that exhibit were many terra cotta and brass heads, one in particular of Obalufon II in pure copper, a technical feat because copper is extremely difficult to work with, and an artistic achievement because of the highly stylized, spiritual gaze of the face. Obalufon was a king of Ife who united the kingdom and brought the city state from turmoil to peace and prosperity and elevated its stature for all time. He became a deity after his death. In trying to learn more about him I came across a work of poetry about the myths of creation and man that has been long out of print, 'Myths of Ife' by John Wyndham. This is chapter one of six. The Yoruban Tribe has an oral tradition, so there are different versions of its history. I have tried to be respectful.

Myths of Ife by John Wyndham