Spoken Word — CDs 
Spoken word -- plus sports records and even some Folkways oddities!
CDs (68) new/used, Vinyl (210) new/used, LPs (201) new/used, 12-inch (3 used), 7-inch (3 used), 78 RPM (3), All (278)
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(Items 1 – 68 of 68)
Omni Sound, 2024. New Copy ... $11.99 12.99
A tribute to a lost side of the creative powers of the legendary Sun Ra – his work in prose and poetry, presented here on record by a variety of different voices – all in a production that features some cool electronics from Marshall Allen as well! The instrumental work of Ra and the ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Also available My Words Are Music – A Celebration of Sun Ra's Poetry ... LP 23.99
Laurie Anderson —
Big Science ... CD Warner, 1982. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the greatest albums to come from the New York underground of the early 80s – even if it was a relatively big "hit" on a major label! Laurie Anderson is in perfect form here – drawing on a strong tradition of avant garde performance, but without any of the indulgences ... (Rock, Spoken Word) read more CD
Amiri Baraka, Jayne Cortez, & Others —
Before Columbus Foundation ... CD Folkways, 1980. New Copy Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
A hip batch of underground poetry tracks – collected together by the Before Columbus Foundation, a group dedicated to promoting the works of African-American and Native American artists! Despite the 1980 date, the collection has a feel that's similar to earlier righteous poetry albums on the ... read more CD
El (UK), 1963. Used ... $14.99
A weird little record from John Barry – the soundtrack to a 1963 television special recorded by Elizabeth Taylor at the height of her early popularity, and featuring Taylor reciting a variety of poems and speeches over music by Barry! There's a relatively high concept feel to the album ... (Soundtracks, Spoken Word) read more CD
(Out of print.)
David Boykin —
David Boykin Reads Sun Ra ... CD Sonic Healing Ministries, 2020. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
The wisdom and knowledge of Sun Ra – read by saxophonist David Boykin, an artist who is definitely carrying on the spiritual legacy that Ra began on the Chicago scene! The album is all spoken word – no music at all, but instead these really well-done readings by Boykin – who ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
(CDR release – direct from the artist!)
Smithsonian Folkways, Late 40s/1950s/1960s/Early 70s. Used ... $5.99
... CD
William S Burroughs —
Break Through In Grey Room ... CD Sub Rosa/DAIS, 1960s/1970s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the greatest albums of material by William S Burroughs – and one of the few to really show his groundbreaking tape techniques! The album compiles a wealth of archival recordings – including obscure performances and experiments from the 60s, as well as Burroughs' own readings on ... read more CD
William S Burroughs —
Call Me Burroughs ... CD ESP/Word Beat, 1966. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
The first-ever record to capture the amazing voice of William S Burroughs – the author who helped transform fiction forms in the 60s, but also somewhat of a public figure too – thanks to albums like this! The set's was recorded in France, and given wider circulation in the US by ... read more CD
(Barcode has a cutout hole, back cover of booklet has a gold promo stamp.)
Gary Byrd —
Presenting The Gary Byrd Experience (plus bonus tracks) ... CD RCA/Get On Down, 1972. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A wicked lost album of righteous funk and poetic knowledge from the great Gary Byrd! Gary began his life as a soul DJ in New York, but by the early 70s, he was using his rich voice to create recordings designed to educate as much as entertain. That said, the album is as funky as it is strident, ... (Soul, Spoken Word) read more CD
(Out of print.)
Lucille Clifton & Gwendolyn Brooks —
Lucille Clifton & Gwendolyn Brooks – Recorded May 3, 1983 ... CD Academy Of American Poets, 1983. Used ... Out Of Stock
Live reading recorded at the Guggenheim in New York City. CD
Copernicus —
Worthless ... CD Nevermore, 2012. Used ... $3.99
Folkways, 1971. New Copy Gatefold ... $12.99 16.98
A really unique document of the struggle and story of Angela Davis – recorded in 1971 by ABC news, and packaged together here as kind of a sonic program by Folkways! The record works like a short news program – starting out with a statement by Angela, then moving to a narrated ... read more CD
(Special limited CD – pressed up for us by the Smithsonian Folkways label. Comes with original cover artwork, and the CD also features a PDF file with the original liner notes and other materials from the original record release.)
Ruby Dee —
What If I Am A Woman Vol 2 – Black Women's Speeches ... CD Folkways, 1977. Used ... Out Of Stock
A pretty cool collection produced by Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee – focusing on famous speeches by important female African-Americans – mostly focusing on the civil rights era, but also featuring an early speech by Ida B Wells. Ruby reads the speeches, and works include "I Am A Black ... read more CD
Dr Seuss/Mercury, 1966. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A record that's almost as wonderful as the cartoon on which it was based – thanks to Boris Karloff narration, words by Dr Seuss, and some mighty weird lyrics sung by Thurl Ravenscroft – all of which make the audio portion of this famous Holiday cartoon just as great as the visuals! ... (Holiday Music, Spoken Word) read more CD
TS Eliot —
TS Eliot Reads TS Eliot ... CD Regis (UK), Mid 1950s. Used ... Out Of Stock
... CD
(Out of print.)
Heyday Again, Late 1950s/1960s/1970s/1980s/Early 1990s. New Copy ... $11.99 12.99
Right from the start of his career, poet Allen Ginsberg experimented with recording and music – maybe not a surprise, because as a young beat poet, he grew up in the era when long playing records were really taking off – yet still delivered in a way that was often very different than ... read more CD
Nikki Giovanni —
Cotton Candy On A Rainy Day ... CD Folkways, 1978. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the lesser-known 70s albums by Nikki Giovanni – a wonderful selection of material from her book Cotton Candy On A Rainy Day – read in a spare setting, without any musical accompaniment! In some ways, this album's even better than the more famous Giovanni albums on Atlantic ... (Soul, Spoken Word) read more CD
Nikki Giovanni —
Truth Is On Its Way ... CD Right On/Modern Harmonic, 1971. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
An amazing setting for the righteous words and message of Nikki Giovanni – as the set has the poet working with backing vocals by the New York Community Choir, who also recorded a great soul album on RCA around the same time – and an overall approach that elevates Nikki's poetry into a ... (Soul, Spoken Word) read more CD
Nikki Giovanni —
Truth Is On Its Way ... CD Collectables, 1971. Used ... Out Of Stock
An amazing setting for the righteous words and message of Nikki Giovanni – as the set has the poet working with backing vocals by the New York Community Choir, who also recorded a great soul album on RCA around the same time – and an overall approach that elevates Nikki's poetry into a ... (Soul, Spoken Word) read more CD
Jerry Goldsmith/Columbia, 1976/1979. Used 2CD ... Out Of Stock
Includes Jerry Goldsmith's 1979 soundtrack album – plus bonus disc titled Inside Star Trek, featuring interviews with Gene Roddenberry, Isaac Asimov, and members of the original cast! (Soundtracks, Spoken Word) CD
Kip Hanrahan —
Thousand Nights & A Night (1 Red Night) ... CD American Clave, 1996. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Always the master storyteller, Kip Hanrahan turns his unique musical vision to source material from 1001 Arabian Nights – interweaving stories from the text with jazz-based expression, augmented by spoken and vocal passages. Carmen Lundy sings quite a bit on the record – which is a ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
(Out of print, punch through barcode.)
Paul Harding/ESP, 2023. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Poetry performed by Paul Harding, accompanied by Michael Bisio on bass and Juma Sultan on percussion. CD
Heroes Are Gang Leaders —
Flukum ... CD No Label, 2016. Used ... Out Of Stock
Titles include "Letters From The Locked Away", "Welcome Back, Mr K", "We Free Singers Be", and "The Love Space Space Demands". (Jazz, Spoken Word) CD
Langston Hughes —
Story Of Jazz ... CD Folkways, 1954. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A very cool record! Langston tells the story of jazz, using snippets of work from the Folkways catalog – like tunes by Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodd, Ma Rainey, Leadbelly, and others – all sewn together in a rich narrative on the history of the music, delivered with some surprising ... read more CD
Also available Story Of Jazz (10 inch) ... LP 9.99
Langston Hughes —
Voice Of Langston Hughes ... CD Folkways, 1950s. Used ... Out Of Stock
A wonderful collection of work from Langston Hughes – material pulled from a handful of albums recorded for the Folkway labels in the 50s, all of which are pretty darn great and long out of print! Hughes' writings are well known – part of a rich tradition of African-American expression ... read more CD
Garrison Keillor —
Prairie Home Companion – It's Only A Show ... CD High Bridge, 2006. Used 2CD ... Out Of Stock
... CD
Jack Kerouac —
Jack Kerouac Collection (3CD set) ... CD Rhino, 1959. Used 3 CDs ... Just Sold Out!
Includes "Poetry For The Beat Generation", "Blues & Haikus", and "Readings By Jack Kerouac On The Beat Generation" and a beautiful 40 page book! A classic meeting of jazz and beat poetry – packaged beautifully too! CD
(Box has some edgewear and two split corners, inner contents are in nice shape.)
Steve Lacy & Brion Gysin —
Songs ... CD Hatology (Switzerland), 1981. Used ... Out Of Stock
We're not often the biggest fans of poetry in the work of Steve Lacy – but somehow, this set seems to come off especially right – thanks, no doubt, to the fact that beat legend Brion Gysin composed all of the words! Gysin himself only speaks on 2 titles – but his presence there ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Celluloid, 1970/1984. Used ... $6.99
The first album by the second group to call themselves the Last Poets – and as fierce a document of their rich talents as you'll ever find – bursting forth with anger and righteousness at a level as tight as Gil Scott-Heron's first album! The group here is the key second lineup of the ... (Soul, Spoken Word) read more CD
(Out of print.)
Timothy Leary & Ralph Metzner —
Psychedelic Experience ... CD Folkways, 1966. New Copy Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
A wonderful early bit of psychedelia from an academic perspective – a record that features Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner, and Richard Alpert – all reading from the book The Psychedelic Experience A Manual Based On The Tibetan Book Of The Dead! The album's divided up into two sections ... read more CD
Rise/P-Vine (Japan), Late 70s. New Copy ... $18.99 24.99
The second of two spiritual classics from Haki R. Madhubuti – issued nearly a decade after the first, but still very much in a positive and righteous 70s vein! Haki's again working with arranger Agyei Akoto, a saxophonist we only know from these albums, but an extremely visionary musician ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Rise/P-Vine (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... $18.99 29.99
A legendary album of spoken word and spiritual jazz – put together by The Institute of Positive Education in Chicago, and featuring wisdom and knowledge from the legendary Haki R Madhubuti! The album alternates shorter vocal/musical tracks with longer ones that are pure post-Coltrane jazz ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Also available Rise Vision Comin ... LP 28.99
Michael Mantler —
Live ... CD Watt/ECM, 1987. Used ... Out Of Stock
Michael Mantler on trumpet, leading a group that features Rick Penn on guitar, Don Preston on synthesizers, John Greaves on bass and piano, and Nick Mason on drums – with Jack Bruce performing texts by Harold Pinter, Samuel Beckett, and Edward Gorey! (Jazz, Spoken Word) CD
(Out of print, punch through barcode.)
Mack Avenue, 2020. Used ... $8.99
A really fantastic large project by Christian McBride – maybe one of his most ambitious records ever, and one that really lives up to its intention! The movement here is the Civil Rights movement – recalled through the words of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Rosa Parks, and Dr Martin Luther ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
(Out of print, penmark through barcode.)
Columbia/Five Day Weekend, 1967. New Copy Gatefold ... $7.99 17.98
A real mind-trip – and an incredible document of the times – not just ideas floating around in the late 60s, but also new ways of making records too! The album is loosely based around ideas and writings from The Medium Is The Massage – McLuhan's important 1967 book, co-written ... read more CD
Corbett vs. Dempsey, New Copy ... $11.99 14.99 About May 15, 2024
Yvette Mimieux/Connoisseur Society (Japan), Late 1960s. Used ... Out Of Stock
Yvette Mimieux reads from Baudelaire's Flowers of Evil – acompanied by Ali Akbar Khan and Mahapurush Misra! (Global Grooves, Spoken Word) CD
(80s Japanese pressing!)
Charles Mingus —
Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music & Poetry ... CD Bethlehem, 1957. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A fantastic album – one of our favorite-ever records from Charles Mingus! The album was recorded in the same breath as his legendary works Tijuana Moods, The Clown, and Pithecanthropus Erectus – and it features the same sort of fire and emotion that made those classics so great. The ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Also available (Sealed 1994 CD pressing.)
Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music & Poetry ... LP 19.99
Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music & Poetry ... CD 3.99
Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music & Poetry (Japanese pressing – with bonus tracks) ... CD 14.99
Charles Mingus —
Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music & Poetry (Japanese pressing – with bonus tracks) ... CD Bethlehem/Toshiba (Japan), 1957. Used ... $14.99
A fantastic album – one of our favorite-ever records from Charles Mingus! The album was recorded in the same breath as his legendary works Tijuana Moods, The Clown, and Pithecanthropus Erectus – and it features the same sort of fire and emotion that made those classics so great. The ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Also available (2000 Japanese pressing – includes obi.)
Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music & Poetry ... LP 19.99
Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music & Poetry ... CD 3.99
Charles Mingus & Langston Hughes —
Weary Blues ... CD Verve, 1958. Used ... Out Of Stock
A landmark meeting of two talents! This rare session has the poet Langston Hughes reading his own jazz-based work, set to arrangements by Charles Mingus, with additional work by Horace Parlan. Hughes' voice is incredible – a bit frail, with a wispy integrity that really opens up his own ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Oliver Nelson —
Kennedy Dream – A Musical Tribute To John F Kennedy ... CD Impulse/Verve, 1964. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A great little album – a lot better than you might think from the concept! After the death of JFK, Oliver Nelson penned this extremely strong tribute to the man – featuring snippets of speeches made by Kennedy during his time in office as president, used as bridges between jazz based ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
(2009 digipak pressing with some edgewear.)
Chitra Neogy —
Perfumed Garden ... CD Pulsar/Modern Harmonic, Late 60s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A tantric sensual masterpiece, served up with sitar musical backings from the great Jim Sullivan – and a set that's maybe one of the strangest albums to come out of that late 60s psychedelic moment when record labels were really willing to take chances on unusual material like this! Chitra ... (Global Grooves, Spoken Word) read more CD
New Afrikan Griots —
In Fighting Shape ... CD Grio, 1995. Used ... Out Of Stock
A hip Philly group moving in the tradition of the The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron – features Byard Lancaster, Jamaldeen Tacuma, and David Murray! (Soul, Spoken Word) CD
New York Art Quartet —
New York Art Quartet ... CD ESP, 1965. Used ... $9.99
One of our favorite albums ever on the legendary ESP label – and a key session in the best "new thing" mode of the 60s! The New York Art Quartet were a short lived collaboration between trombonist Roswell Rudd, saxophonist John Tchicai, bassist Lewis Worrell, and percussionist ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
ESP, 1964. Used ... $9.99 14.99
One of our favorite albums ever on the legendary ESP label – and a key session in the best "new thing" mode of the 60s! The New York Art Quartet were a short lived collaboration between trombonist Roswell Rudd, saxophonist John Tchicai, bassist Lewis Worrell, and percussionist ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
(Remastered digipak pressing.)
ESP/Hat Art (Switzerland), 1965. New Copy ... $17.99 19.99
A pair of amazing records from a legendary group – one who didn't record much, but who really shaped the sound of the avant garde in the 60s! First up is the self-titled New York Art Quartet, one of our favorite albums ever on the legendary ESP label – and a key session in the best ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Ken Nordine —
Best Of Word Jazz Vol 1 (with bonus tracks) ... CD Dot, Late 50s. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A crazy batch of jazz-meets-beat poetry-meets-goofy stuff. Ken Nordine's wit is razor sharp as usual, and the tracks include "What Time Is It", "Sound Museum", "Down The Drain", and "Faces In The Jazzamatazz". Like taking drugs without the hassle! CD
(Out of print.)
Ken Nordine —
Colors ... CD Philips/Ashodel, Mid 60s. Used ... $18.99
This is Asphodel's wonderful reissue of "word jazz" maestro Ken Nordine's classic mid 60s ode to the sultry side of the common, the uncommon, and some seemingly made up colors. ("Muddy" anyone?) Billed as "A Sensuous Listening Experience" – and truly living up ... read more CD
(1995 pressing, barcode has a cutout hole.)
Folkways, 1958. New Copy ... $12.99 16.99
Kenneth Patchen, like Kenneth Rexroth, was one of the few poets who really understood what it meant to read and write in a jazz idiom – as you'll hear on this excellent set of beatnik jazz tracks! The album features Patchen reading in a great style – angular, cynical, really working ... read more CD
(Special limited CD – pressed up for us by the Smithsonian Folkways label. Comes with original cover artwork, and the CD also features a PDF file with the original liner notes and other materials from the original record release.)
Verve, 1968. Used ... $5.99
An incredible album from Arthur Prysock – an amazing set of mature love modes, set to beautiful backings by Mort Garson! The album's easily Prysock at the height of his 60s sophistication – a complete reworking of the This Is My Beloved modes away from more mainstream readings, in ways ... (Vocalists, Spoken Word) read more CD
(Sealed copy!)
Raining Spiderlings —
Superstition ... CD Corbett vs. Dempsey, 2023. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the most unusual projects ever issued by the Corbett Vs Dempsey label – and that's saying a lot, given their recorded output – a collaboration between writer Nikolai Galen and artist Sarmen Almond, served up in a very eerie blend of spoken passages and sonic experimentation! ... (Rock, Spoken Word) read more CD
Green Essence/P-Vine (Japan), 1983. New Copy ... $18.99 23.99
A really unique little record – this amazing mix of keyboard jazz and spoken word – and unlike anything else we can think of! We might be tempted to think of the set as a more spiritual journey into territory that Rick Holmes explored with Roy Ayers – but the record is much more ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Raphael Roginski —
Populista Presents – Raphael Roginski Plays John Coltrane & Langston Hughes – African Mystic Musis ... CD Bolt (Poland), 2015. Used ... Out Of Stock
Raphael Roginski on guitar – performing music composed by John Coltrane, accompanied by Natalia Przybysz reading poems by Langston Hughes. (Jazz, Spoken Word) CD
RGS (Argentina), 1973. New Copy ... $13.99 16.99
A stunningly expansive project from Argentine jazz genius Jorge Lopez Ruiz – one that takes off in even more ambitious territory than his Bronca Buenos Aires album from a few years before! Ruiz plays all sorts of great Fender Rhodes throughout, leading a larger group that mixes tenor, alto, ... (Jazz, Spoken Word) read more CD
Also available Coraje Buenos Aires ... LP 29.99
Warner, 2003. Used ... $1.99
Melvin Van Peebles —
What The...You Mean I Can't Sing?! ... CD Atlantic/Water, 1974. Used ... Out Of Stock
Very tripped out work from Melvin Van Peebles – the multi-talented artist who had a huge influence on African American film in the 70s! Melvin's working here in a a mode that combines soul, folk, funk, and lots of the more messed-up sounds that you'd hear on his own soundtracks for his films. ... (Soul, Spoken Word) read more CD
Watts Prophets —
Things Gonna Get Greater – The Watts Prophets 1969-1971 (Rappin Black In A White World/ALA/Water, Late 60s/Early 70s. Used ... Out Of Stock
A rare bit of hardcore poetry by the Watts Prophets – the legendary LA group who were kind of a west coast answer to the Last Poets! The group have a sound that's as striking as the best early work by The Last Poets – a hard-hitting blend of poetry, rhythms, and righteous energy – ... (Soul, Spoken Word) read more CD
Camille Yarbrough —
Iron Pot Cooker ... CD Vanguard/Ace (UK), 1975. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of THE spoken word classics of the 70s funk years – an amazing album based around the poetry of Camille Yarbrough – set to some amazing funky backings! The sound here is incredibly righteous – almost a more sophisticated version of Betty Davis – done with a stark, spare ... (Soul, Spoken Word) read more CD
Various —
Beat Generation (3CD box set) ... CD Rhino, Late 50s. Used 3 CDs ... Out Of Stock
A great colleciton – spoken word material, hip singers, and more – with tracks from Jack Kerouac, Lord Buckley, Babs Gonzalez, Carl Sandburg, Allen Ginsberg, Del Close, Dizzy Gillespie, William S Burroughs, King Pleasure, Ken Nordine, Langston Hughes, The Gordons, and many more! CD
(Please note that this set does not include the outer box or book, just the 3 CDs in individual jewel cases.)
Various —
Dee Jays Vol 2 ... CD Concert Products, Late 1950s/1960s. Used ... Just Sold Out!
Songs tracks and radio shows from dee jays of the past. Jocko Henderson, Gus Gossert, Clay Cole, Dick Biondi, the Escorts, the Five Satins, the Youngtones, and more. (Soul, Spoken Word) CD
(Out of print.)
Various —
Hand It Over Vol 1 – This American Life ... CD WBEZ, 1999. Used ... Out Of Stock
Five early pieces from the NPR program This American Life. CD
Various —
Hand It Over Vol 2 – This American Life ... CD WBEZ, 1999. Used ... Out Of Stock
Six early pieces from the NPR program This American Life. CD
Various —
Listen, Whitey! – The Sounds Of Black Power 1967 to 1974 ... CD Light In The Attic, Late 60s/Early 70s. Used ... Out Of Stock
Some of the most righteous recordings ever issued – a rich batch of soul, funk, rock, and spoken word tracks from the boldest era of African American empowerment! The set does a great job of mixing together classic cuts and overlooked nuggets – all of which bring forth the message of ... (Funky Compilations, Spoken Word) read more CD
Various —
Pause For The Cause – London Rave Adverts Vol 2 1991 to 1996 ... CD Death Is Not The End, Mid 90s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A really unusual collection, and one that really captures a key musical moment in the London scene – a time when all sorts of underground activity was happening on the rave scene, but people didn't have the world of cell phones and internet to connect! So instead, folks got news out about ... read more CD
(Items 1 – 68 of 68)
