Poetry Reading

Reel-to-reel audio tape (two track, 3 3/4 ips), in total 91'30''. The fifth poetry reading at the Berkeley Poetry Conference, given on 16 July 1965. The reading is introduced by Thomas Parkinson, who was Professor of English at the university and (like Duncan) on the conference's advisory committee. The recording is on a Scotch brand/3M reel, with printed information stickers on the case and the tape. Although issued in an official way by the Language Laboratory, it seems unlikely that the reel would have had much if any commercial life, and its format might imply that it was made to order. It is also not specified that it was made in the year of the conference itself, although clearly it is contemporary. A landmark gathering, the Berkeley Poetry Conference was a dynamic programme of readings, lectures, and seminars.