Allen Ginsberg Reading Howl (Part 1)

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed...." So true isn't it? The greatest thinkers that ever lived existed in times of trouble.

I just bought a collected works of his at the used book shop on a whim, hearing how good he is. He is amazing. He has the audacity to literally tear down and utterly destroy the walls of comfort and undeviated norms humans have built up around themselves, and burns the secure feelings of everyday societal life. I love him. He is now one of my favorite poets.

Some historical context for the curious ones... Ginsberg was writing at a time (mid 50s) when the American counterculture was just beginning to emerge, before the Hippie Generation came full swing, but at a time when people were starting to realize how the conforming and cookie-cutter style morals of the Eisenhower era were hiding darker secrets, and repressed individuality and creativity. Howl is an anthem, a celebration and description of this new counterculture, while also a harsh criticism of the intensely capitalistic and consumerist society that led it to come forth in the first place. 

Beautiful, prophetic and a man for all times and seasons. What an exposition `I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness`  . Nothing changes.

I know other dislike the poem (and Ginsberg) but every-time I read it I see such a rich, psychedelic description of scenes, prose, with a lexicon unlike any other poem before it. I love HOWL. I think more should behold the power of Allen howling against the false media of his time, against the marginalizing establishment so many were suffering under~

This is one of the most important poems of the 20th century. It´s not one of his best readings, but it´s still awsome. This is poetry!

this is the best damn reading of the poem he ever did. his voice is full and his inflections are all at the first best places for them just like i read it in my head. his pauses are perfect, breath perfectly long just like on the page. the man had RHYTHM all we need is Kerouac in the back passing around jugs of wine going GO GO GO GO GO GO

Listen well.....this is strangely relevant today as it was yesterday, and as it will be tomorrow.

This amazing poem sounds like the inside of my head after dropping a couple of blotters. Passing this poem around like a joint to read out loud while you're tripping and thought-looping is one of life's finer pleasures.

He reads this even more amazingly than I could ever imagine!

wow how very insightful. I thought I could just live vicariously through Allen Ginsberg and do nothing ever. Thanks for showing me the light, O bastion of inspiration.

go away and do not use such inflammatory and offensive language against a man with such a beautiful soul and the most genuine of intention of mere personal expression.

One of the most astonishing truthers of our time. Bless all of who take this in and getit, for we too are as Genius. I love all of Allen he is the best Beat Boy there ever was.

In the late 90's, there was a documentary on A&E called "No More to Say, and Nothing to Weep For: An Elegy for Allen Ginsberg." It was one of the best documentaries I've seen on him. It is my hope that someone will post this.

My absolute favorite poet of this generation!

So entrancing... Image after image, with scattered bits of amazing humour. What I wouldn't give to go back and listen.

this is everything. once you've read works of the beat generation you will never be able to look at literature in the same way… in a good way… <3 forever in love with this poem

Allen Ginsberg reads his own poem very well I find.

this sound quality is gloriously real

Makes no direct sense for those who toils to get certain meanings out of it , but its a poetry where you are free to visualize the senseless sense and to feel it from your own perspective then only you will find it great and dynamic than other mainstream literature.