From a Shaman's Notebook: Primitive and Archaic Poetry

“From a Shaman’s Notebook – Primitive and Archaic Poetry” is a collection of 23 poems from a variety of sources from Native American, African, Australian, and Pacific Islander societies. The poetry falls into two general themes: “Spells and Charms” and “Rites and Visions.” The spells and charms vary from poisoned arrows to plant tinctures, and the rites and visions describe rituals for marriages, circumcision, and death. Read by Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson MacLow, and Rochelle Owens, these works provide insights into the traditions and beliefs that define their cultures.

Liner notes include poem texts.

Track Listing

101	How Isaac Tens Became a Shaman (Gitksan Indian)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	03:27
102	A Shaman Climbs up the Sky (Altaic)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	02:51
103	A Poison Arrow (Nigeria)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	01:06
104	For a Sudden Stitch (Anglo-Saxon)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	01:22
105	The Killer (Cherokee Indian)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	00:48
106	Cannibal Song / Against Wens / Against Syphillis (Cobu, New Guinea)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	02:44
107	Nine Herbs Charm (Anglo-Saxon)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	03:37
108	Rain Song (Keresan Indian)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	00:46
109	Songs in the Garden of the House God (Navajo)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	01:20
110	Flower Feast Song (Aztec)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	03:05
201	Circumcision Rite (Arnehm Land, Australia)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	00:56
202	Songs of the Masked Dancers (Apache)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	02:04
203	Marriage Rites (Arnehm Land, Australia)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	01:07
204	Night Chant (Navajo)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	04:03
205	The Forest (Aztec)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	03:58
206	The Annunciation (Tibet)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	00:49
207	Smohalla Speaks (American Indian)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	01:02
208	Songs of the Ghost Dance Religion (American Indian)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	01:12
209	The Light Becomes Dark (Gabon Pygmy)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	00:42
210	Those Were People Who Broke the String	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	00:34
211	The Surrender Speech of Chief Joseph (American Indian)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	00:59
212	Dead Hunter Speaks through the Voice of a Shaman (Copper Eskimo)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	01:30
213	The Gates of Dan Are Shut (Gabon Pygmy)	Jerome Rothenberg, David Antin, Jackson Mac Low, and Rochelle Owens	00:59