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Rating: 
Summary: Say No to Tape
Review: I have a problem with two things: it's only on tape (for now), and the selection of poems. The tape mistake speaks for itself, but my qualms with the poem selection is not that the poems are inferior but rather the limiting range from which they were taken. I would like to have seen a broader choosing from the nearly twenty books of poetry, ie maybe a "best" poem from each book. This would present some type of theme to a casual reader of Ashbery, maybe even show the progression of Ashbery as a poet. But as it is now, there is no reasoning or centrality to the selection.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Selections
Review: I have listened to these recordings until the actually tape gave out. The selections are Ashbery's most approachable and possibly best poems one can read. He reads in a relatively fast pace, and a touch on the flat side, but I mean that in a good way. He doesn't make his poetry sound precious or grand like a Stevens or Eliot. When this makes it to cd I will buy it again.
Rating:
Summary: Great! But Why Only on Cassette?
Review: This recording features Ashbery reading sixteen poems--some very short, some rather long--in order of their publication. Side one consists of "Soonest Mended," "Parergon," and "Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror" (yes, the whole poem!). Side two consists of "Pyrography," "Daffy Duck in Hollywood," "Wet Casements," "And Ut Pictura Poesis Is Her Name," "My Erotic Double," "At North Farm," "More Pleasant Adventures," "Around the Rough and Rugged Rocks the Ragged Rascal Rudely Ran," "This Room," "Memories of Imperialism," "Redeemed Area," "Your Name Here," and "The Underwriters." One could wish for greater balance: there are no poems here from Ashbery's first books (those published in the '50s and '60s), and the last five poems are all from his latest book, YOUR NAME HERE. All sixteen are interesting poems, however. Unlike most of the writers in this series, Ashbery is alive; presumably he was allowed to choose which poems would be included, and one expects any writer to favor his most recent work.The tape comes with a 63pp. book that includes the texts of the poems, excerpts from interviews, and an informative introduction by J.D. McClatchy. The back jacket reproduces the typescript of "Your Name Here." Ashbery's reading is clear and unrushed. It is also relatively uninflected: he lets the words speak for themselves, rather than turn his readings into theatrical performances. My only real complaint is that Random House has released this (along with the rest of this series) only on cassette. Compact discs would last longer, and they would also allow listeners to punch up individual poems instantly, without having to guess at rewinding and fast-forwarding. They'd certainly be more useful to teachers.
Rating:
Summary: Great! But Why Only on Cassette?
Review: This recording features Ashbery reading sixteen poems--some very short, some rather long--in order of their publication. Side one consists of "Soonest Mended," "Parergon," and "Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror" (yes, the whole poem!). Side two consists of "Pyrography," "Daffy Duck in Hollywood," "Wet Casements," "And Ut Pictura Poesis Is Her Name," "My Erotic Double," "At North Farm," "More Pleasant Adventures," "Around the Rough and Rugged Rocks the Ragged Rascal Rudely Ran," "This Room," "Memories of Imperialism," "Redeemed Area," "Your Name Here," and "The Underwriters." One could wish for greater balance: there are no poems here from Ashbery's first books (those published in the '50s and '60s), and the last five poems are all from his latest book, YOUR NAME HERE. All sixteen are interesting poems, however. Unlike most of the writers in this series, Ashbery is alive; presumably he was allowed to choose which poems would be included, and one expects any writer to favor his most recent work. The tape comes with a 63pp. book that includes the texts of the poems, excerpts from interviews, and an informative introduction by J.D. McClatchy. The back jacket reproduces the typescript of "Your Name Here." Ashbery's reading is clear and unrushed. It is also relatively uninflected: he lets the words speak for themselves, rather than turn his readings into theatrical performances. My only real complaint is that Random House has released this (along with the rest of this series) only on cassette. Compact discs would last longer, and they would also allow listeners to punch up individual poems instantly, without having to guess at rewinding and fast-forwarding. They'd certainly be more useful to teachers.
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