Wow! eBook
The Wisdom of Sun Ra: Sun Ra's Polemical Broadsheets and Streetcorner Leaflets
Author(s): Sun Ra (Author), Anthony Elms (Editor), John Corbett (Editor)
- Publisher: WhiteWalls
- Publication Date: August 1, 2006
- Language: English
- Print length: 144 pages
- ISBN-10: 0945323077
- ISBN-13: 9780945323075
Book Description
While in Chicago during the mid-1950s, Sun Ra preached on street corners and occasionally created scripts to accompany his lectures—intricate texts that invoke science fiction, Biblical prophecy, etymology, and black nationalism. Until this point, the only broadsheet known to exist was one given to John Coltrane in 1956. These newly unearthed writings attest to the provocative brilliance that inspired Coltrane. Sun Ra annotated many of them by hand, and together the sheets reveal fascinating new aspects of his worldview.
The Wisdom of Sun Ra is an invaluable compendium of writings by one of the most intriguing and influential jazz figures of the century.Editorial Reviews
Review
“John Corbett’s selection offers a fascinating window on to the weird world of one of the 20th century’s most influential musicians.”—Rachel Aspden,
New Statesman
— Rachel Aspden ―
New Statesman Published On: 2006-08-28“Includes beautiful reproductions of the dog-eared broadsheets, with full transcriptions in the second half of the book. As interesting as the writings are in their own right, they also offer powerful insights into the personality and philosophy that was central to Ra’s later work.” — Peter Margasak ―
Chicago Reader Published On: 2006-08-24“Words are, for Ra, plastic things, and the skill of Ra the verbal sculptor reveals hidden unities. . . . Indeed, his attitude towards his audience is continuously provocative.” — Tom Perchard ―
The Wire Published On: 2006-09-01“Every one of these essays has the right balance of shocking pull quotes and elliptical statements to make you keep reading. . . . Revealing.” — Ben Ratliff ―
Bookforum Published On: 2006-12-01“This collection of his early writings illuminates his journey from street-corner Egyptologist and religious proclaimer to the innovative bandleader proclaiming alien origins whose music has influenced artists from John Coltrane to Sonic Youth. . . . The publication of this book offers a visit to a time where we can see some of Sun Ra’s earlier ideas, what shaped the later artist. Reading this collection makes you realize that you need to question what you see and define your own path, just like Sun Ra did.” — Erik Sweet ―
Rain Taxi Published On: 2006-12-01
