Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Burroughs,
recordings, film and video appearances, samples, publications, etcetera.
This project began as an Internet/Usenet FAQ/index of WSB recordings and has
grown considerably with each revision to expand in scope. Many thanks to Danny
Iacovou for his help with adding the listing of books by WSB.
This is Version 3.4, last updated on December 13, 1993. If you're aware of
any Burroughs works not cited here please email any details, rumors, or
ramblings to malcolm@wrs.com.
=========================
The Burroughs File Index:
=========================
1 - Recent news
2 - Recordings
- Recording Bibliography as of 1972
- other WSB recordings
- WSB samples 7 clips used by other artists
3 - Movies and video appearances
- WSB major works (produced/starring/scripted)
- WSB appears
- WSB references
4 - Books & publications by WSB
5 - Other items of potential interest
- Books about WSB
- WSB Jr. books
- Recordings and other works referencing WSB
6 - Contact addresses
7 - Information wanted - missing details - Help expand this file!
===============
1) Recent news:
===============
| a recent performance:
01. Interlude
02. Spare Ass Annie
03. Interlude 2
04. The Last Words Of Dutch Shultz
05. Interlude 3
06. Mildred Pierce Reporting
07. Dr. Benway Operates
08. Warning To Young Couples
09. Did I ever tell you about the man who taught his asshole to talk?
10. Last Words With Ras I. Zulu
11. One God Universe
12. Interlude 4
13. The Junky's Christmas
14. Words Of Advise For Young People
15. Last Words With Michael Franti
====================================================================
2) Recordings listing taken from an official bibliography from 1972:
====================================================================
G. RECORDS AND TAPES
1. _Call_Me_Burroughs_
a. _Call_Me_Burroughs_. 12-inch long-playing record published by
Gait Froge at her English Bookshop, 42, rue de Seine, Paris 6e,
Summer 1965.
WSB reads excerpts from The Naked Lunch on side one and from
Nova Express on side two. The tapes were recorded and edited by
Ian Sommerville in Paris. [description of sleeve follows]
b. _Call_Me_Burroughs_. An American edition of G1a was released
by ESP-Disk record company of New York City in late 1966 as ESP 1050.
An extract from side two (Nova Express) lasting for 1.03 minutes is
present on The ESP Sampler issued as ESP 1051 in 1967. Two extracts
from side two are also present on an LP in Aspen 5/6, 1967.
c. _Call_Me_Burroughs_. Issued as a C-60 cassette recording by Udo
Breger, Gottingen, as Expanded Media Editions 6.
3. Quote
On Dashiell Hedayat, Obsolete, a 12-inch long-playing album
released as Shandar SR 10009, Paris, 1971. The short clip of tape
of WSB appears at the end of the track "Love Song for Zelda"
on face A and is WSB saying: "I have said the basic techniques
of novia are very simple: consisting of creating and aggravating
conflicts. No riots like injustice directed enemies" (12 seconds).
The tape is thought to have been supplied by Daevid Allen and to
have originated in the soundtrack of the film Towers Open Fire.
4. Quote
a. On Ravi Shankar, Chappaqua, Original Soundtrack Recording, 12-inch
long-playing record released by Columbia Records/CBS, New York,
c. May 1968, as Columbia Masterworks OS 3230. The short appearance
by WSB on the soundtrack occurs a little after the beginning of
the last track on side two entitled "Theme" and is WSB saying,
"An unworthy vessel, obviously -- I withdraw from the case--" (5 seconds)
b. The alternate soundtrack for the film was Ornette Coleman's
Chappaqua Suite. It was not used, but was recorded and released
in France and the U.S.A. WSB's voice is present on the U.S. edition
only.
5. Conversation
On short tapes made as radio advertisements for the record Brian Jones
Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka. Produced by Kenny Everett for
Rolling Stones Records in London, 1971. The tapes were made for use
on American FM radio. Three ads were made, two of which include
Burroughs. They consist of music from the record edited together with
a sales message by Everett and conversational clips by WSB, Brion Gysin,
Derek Taylor, and Everett.
8. Burroughs Reading
A tape recorded in New York, Feb 14, 1965, from Valentine's Day
Reading. Released on a 10-inch long-playing record as _OU_ Revuedisque
40-41 (10.15 minutes), Ingatestone, March 1972. One of 500 copies.
_OU_ magazine consists of a collection of artwork and documents,
often with a record, in a folder. Some copies of the record were
issued in a separate white cover (about 75 copies).
9. Burroughs Reading
A tape recorded in New York, Feb 14, 1965, from Valentine's Day
Reading. Has the same opening segment identifying the time and
date as G8 (above). Released on a 10-inch long-playing record as
_OU_ Revuedisque 42-43-44 (8.40 minutes), Ingatestone, Oct 10,
1973. One of 500 copies. A few copies of the record were available
separately but lacked any cover except a thin tissue inner sleeve.
THE NOVA CONVENTION - VOLUME 1 & 2 - 2 CASSETTES - GPS 016 & 017
also issued on double lp
Giorno Poetry Systems - 1979 - recorded at The Nova
Convention includes Laurie Anderson, W.S. Burroughs,
John Cage, Allen Ginsberg, Brion Gysin, Julia Heyward,
Timothy Leary, Les Levine, Peter Orlovsky, Anne Waldman,
Robert Anton Wilson, John Giorno, Philip Glass, Patti
Smith, Terry Southern, Frank Zappa.
Nothing Here But the Recordings released 1981. The last Industrial Record
FRUIT OF THE ORIGINAL SIN (COMP. WITH PETER GORDON, WINSTON TONG, DNA, ETC.)
1981 DISQUES DU CREPUSCULE TWI 035 - Double lp, reissued on cd
WSB track is called "Twilight's Last Gleaming", from the Red Night
Tour w/John Giorno, Keystone Corner, San Francisco 5/16/81.
MYTHS: INSTRUCTIONS 1.
1984 BELGIUM - SUB ROSA 33001-1
COMPILATION WITH WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS, CAMBERWELL NOW, ETC.
track 3 - The Five Steps (with Martin Olson, percussion/electronics)
also has tracks by Genesis P-Orridge & SPK
Also noted as "The Myths Collection Part One" cd, Sub Rosa, subcd003-15
SMACK MY CRACK - LP
Giorno Poetry Systems - 1987 gps 038
- spokenword & musical compilation including
W.S. Burroughs, Tom Waits, Butthole Surfers, Chris Stein,
Einsturzende Neubauten, Diamanda Galas, Nick Cave, Swans,
John Giorno Band, Chad & Sudan.
WSB's "words of advice/kim like the great gatsby"
| WSB's extracts are taken from a draft of The Place of Dead Roads.
| There are slight differences between the final version and the CD.
MINUTES TO GO!
1987 BEL INTERIOR MUSIC IM 001
COMPILATION WITH WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS, WINSTON TONG, ANTI-GROUP, CV...
This is a different compilation than the one above, though
they both apparently feature some of the same artists.
| But I feel it useful and necessary to separate the major releases under WSB's
| name from the ones that were musical releases using WSB material. With recent
| works such as the collaboration with Cobian and DHoH it becomes harder to define
| what is a major WSB release and what isn't. I'm not going to worry about it too
| much. If something like Material's & souls really had a very direct WSB
involvment
| it still doesn't belong on the WSB release list above unless it was released
under
| his name.
LAURIE ANDERSON "UNITED STATES, PARTS I-IV" 5 LP set. Warner Bros 25192-1
features the song "Language is a virus", and is preceded by "Difficult
Listening Hour", during which reference is made to WSB. The quote goes:
"... what's going on here anyways ? Who are you ?
And he said, 'now, I'm the Soul Doctor, and you know, language is a
virus from outer space, and hearing your name is better than seeing
your face.' "
MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO "God O.D. pt. 1" STORM THE STUDIO
WaxTrax Records, WAXCD066
"Storm the Studio"
MARK STEWART "The Wrong Name & The Wrong Number" PAY IT ALL BACK,
VOLUME 2 On-U/Nettwerk/Capitol W2-98
[this one contains a LOT of short cut-ups of WSB thrown together]
"The wrong name and the wrong number"
"Getty, Lee, Rockefeller"
"I have not come"
"Hear that?"
"Why don't I come over with a board and drink Coca-Cola"
"Don't let them out, don't"
"The worlds of the all-powerful boards and syndicates of the earth"
"Explain how the *** 100 million more or less *** sweat down the
drain"
"Let them see us, don't tell them what we are doing"
"The apes, the dogs, the rat-men"
"Tape-worms, intestinal parasites"
[etc]
===================
3) Movies & Videos:
===================
There are several video tapes of/by WSB available from Mystic Fire Video
(in the US, so these would be NTSC, as are most videos mentioned here
unless stated otherwise.)
| I can find very little documentation about the original film version of
| The Naked Lunch. Planet R101 has an extract from an early draft of the
| script and its chronology mentions Gysin as collaborating on the film
| scenario in 1969 which would put the release some time in the early
| 1970's. I seem to remember Factory records putting out a 2 or 3 video
| cassette set of a Burroughs seminar that incorporated footage from The
| Naked Lunch (possibly the whole thing) in about 1984. I'm pretty sure
| that Cronenberg's book on the making of his version of The Naked Lunch
| (Everything Is Permitted(?)) has a forward by WSB where he mentions the
| earlier version but I don't have a copy. - Chris Flatters cflatter@nrao.edu
Laurie Anderson's film "Home of the Brave" has WSB dancing with
Laurie and giving two short recitations. Also, the film features the
song "Language is a virus", title taken from WSB.
Burroughs does the narration for the B&W film "Witchcraft Through the
Ages," (HAXAN), this old & cheesy pseudo-documentary. The video is at least
an hour long & W.S.B. does the entire thing. its an old silent film from 1922
that was reissued in the sixties with music and WSB as narrater.
This has been found for rental at Wherehouse video and Blockbuster!
The Subgenius !Arise! video uses extensive cut ups from "Witchcraft
Through the Ages".
====================================
4) Published books and works by WSB:
====================================
Tornado Alley
(illus) 56p.
(Orig.) 1989. 16.00 (0-916156-85-0);
signed, limited 50.00 (0-916156-84-2);
pap 9.00x (0-916156-84-4) Cherry Valley
Ah Pook Is Here!
1982. pap.
(0-7145-3859-0) Riverrun Ny.
The Exterminator
(Fiction Ser.) 176p. 1979. pap. 7.95
(0-14-005003-5, Penguin Bks) Viking Penguin.
Interzone
224p. 1990. pap. 9.95
(0-14-009451-2, Penguin Bks) Viking Penguin.
Junky
(Fiction Ser.) 176p. 1977. pap. 9.00
(0-14-004351-9, Penguin Bks) Viking Penguin.
Naked Lunch
LC 83-83214.
256p. 1984 17.95 (0-8021-1204-8);
pap. 6.95 (0-8021-3093-3) Grove Pr.
Naked Lunch
1992. pap. 11.95
(0-8021-3295-2) Grove Pr.
Nova Express
LC 92-18339.
1992. write for info.
(0-8021-3330-4) Grove Pr.
Port of Saints
LC 80-10309.
1980 24.95 (0-912652-64-0);
pap. 12.95 (0-912652-65-9) Blue Wind.
Queer
144p. 1987. pap. 8.95
(0-14-008389-8, Penguin Bks) Viking Penguin.
Uncommon Quotes,
Vol. 1. Hoffman, Kathelin, ed.
1989. 12.50 (0-929856-00-7);
cassette avail. Caravan Dreams Prodns.
Early Routines
Santa Barbara, Calif. : Cadmus Editions, 1981.
Electronic revolution
2nd ed. enl. by Feedback from Watergate to the Garden of Eden.
<Bonn> : Expanded Media Editions, c1976.
Junkie
London : D. Bruce & Watson, 1973, c1953.
The Soft Machine ; Nova Express ; The Wild Boys : three novels
; with an epilogue by Allen Ginsberg ; an interview with William Burroughs.
1st Black Cat ed.
New York : Grove Press : distributed by Random House, 1980.
| Minutes To Go: by WSB, Brion Gysin, Sinclair Beilles, and Gregory Corso.
| Early cut up experiments published by a bookshop in Paris. Written about in
Here To Go.
=========================================================
5) Works about WSB and other items of potential interest:
=========================================================
| William Burroughs
| by Barry Miles (1993)
| Hyperion, 114 Fifth Ave., New York NY 10001
| The Dream At The End Of The World : Paul Bowles and the Literary Renegades in
Tangier
| by Michelle Green 1991 HarperCollins ISBN 0-06-016571-5
| includes some profiles of WSB in Tangier
William S. Burroughs
by Jennie Skerl.
Boston : Twayne Publishers, c1985.
There's a book about Gysin and Burroughs (mainly Gysin, but with lots
of history and pictures of both) that was published in the UK last year.
It's called "Man from Nowhere," and is a beautiful book with reminiscenses
by Paul Bowles, Iggy Pop, Bill Laswell, and many many others. The book
was published in a small edition and is extremely hard to find both in the US
and in England. It comes with a bunch of postcards with photos of Burroughs
and Gysin and reproductions of some of their art.
| The rock group Steely Dan was named after a metallic dildo in WSB's
| _The Naked Lunch_.
==========================
6) contact addresses, etc.
==========================
| INTERGALACTIC GARAGE
| PO BOX 3047, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 USA
| (304) 876-6818 FAX (304) 876-9414
| best Email address: igg@his.com
|
| INTERGALACTIC GARAGE is making an attempt to support all the Burroughs CD
| releases via mail order.
| currently got stock on the Cobain/Burroughs THE PRIEST both as the CD-5
| and as the v. ltd 'signed' 10 inch. Plus Gus' CD-5, Breakthrough, REsearch's
| WSB T-shirt, etc.
| Also has some rare Ginsberg CD-5 from Holland.
| TOPYNA
| BOX 33540
| SAN DIEGO CA 92163 USA
| has a file of article interviews [nothing rare] on WSB that people have
| sent in. write if interested.
WSB & Gus van Sant - "The Elvis of Letters" cd may be sourced from:
Dutch East India Trading
PO Box 800
Rockville Centre, NY 11571-0800 USA
(516) 764-6200 (516) 764-6315 fax
"Cash Cow, The Best of Giorno Poetry Systems, 1965-1993", can also be
sourced via:
If you care to, you can try to reach William S. Burroughs at:
============================
7) Looking for more details:
============================
| I'd like release dates, lp/cd catalog numbers, ISBN numbers and quote
| transcriptions from any items that are lacking these kinds of details. Also
| still always seeking info on any recordings, visuals or publications not
| already listed here. And answers to any specific queries or rumors below.
| There's an Ornette album with about 5 mins of Jajouka music at the end
| (which one?), from the same tapes the Brian Jones LP, I think, but different.
| This track may have been divided into several short interludes on the Sub
| Rosa CD Break Through in Grey Room?
I've heard there was a 70's film adaptation of Naked Lunch. Can anyone
confirm this?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
||||||||Malcolm Humes|||||||||||||||||||||||||malcolm@wrs.com|||||||||||||||
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Maintained by malcolm@wrs.com. Considerable help in compiling this came from
Mason Jones, Doug Grant and Danny Iacovou. Contributions also from Brian May,
Conrad Bullock, Marcus Deininger, Peter Webb, Jari Kerminen, Sebastian Welton,
Jeff Spirer, Chris Solnordal, Robert Stanzel, Paul Moore, Mike Howes, Michael
Whitney, Chris Flatters, G.D. Pratt, Andrew Russ, Tino, Allan Balliett,
coyote 131 and D. Troyer.
============================================================================
End of the Burroughs file.