Olio Live

By: Tyehimba Jess

Narrated by: Piper Goodeve, Kayla White, Jaylene Clark Owens, Tyehimba Jess, David Pegram, Yahdon Israel, Esau Pritchett

In Olio Live - a very special one-night performance recorded live at the Minetta Lane Theater in February 2019 - poet Tyehimba Jess introduces listeners to his 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning collection, Olio.

A stellar cast of actors, accompanied by pianist Jeremy Gill, performs a selection of poems from the collection, all of which reinterpret the lived experience of real historical figures. You’ll meet William "Blind" Boone, who testifies to Scott Joplin’s greatness at a time when "Alexander’s Ragtime Band" by Irving Berlin used uncredited sections of Joplin’s work; Sissieretta Jones, an operatic star who elevates what a "revue" show could be; and other African American musical stars of the early 20th century. Despite the Emancipation of African Americans and the rise of Tin Pan Alley, these gifted composers and musicians continued to experience appropriation of their work and, often, lack of remuneration.

In this context, the word "olio" also means a hodgepodge, or a miscellaneous collection of literary or musical selections; taken as a whole, the triumphant performances of Olio Live ask listeners to consider the nature of identity, performance, and ever-present history. Tyehimba Jess and Yahdon Israel immortalize and embody a long tradition of African American "citizenship through musicianship" in this timeless live audio.

Cover art photo by Rog and Bee Walker

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©2016 For poems: Tyehimba Jess (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Beat poetry and other live performance

Olio Live is objectively good. It is full of talented individuals telling interesting and important stories, in fresh and interesting ways. But for me, personally, I only somewhat enjoyed it. I was enjoyable, but not something I'm likely to revisit or go out of my way for.

The stories are told through spoken word, through music, beat poetry (including some cool sounded stuff where to people alternate, bouncing off one another) and even one through operatic singing. They are stories of African american artists and how they have been treated in the music industry. I love history and this is a part that I would like to know more of.

For me the medium, while very different and cool, makes me lose the message in there. It is a lot of poetry and I have never found poetry overly accessible. After having finished it I couldn't tell you anything of what it the individual stories were. It was an interesting experience, truly something different from what I would normal listen to or see live. For that alone I'm glad I listened.

The sound quality is good. It is live and has all that comes with that.

If you like poetry, or just really want to try something unique and different, then I would recommend giving this a go.

(And for the record I am Australian and very white. Maybe that impacts how I experience and enjoy this)

This is amazing

The poetry was stunning; its vibrancy and intricacy of form just blew me away.

The stories of these performers lives and struggles against continual racism and abuse by the whites around them was wholly mesmerizing and angering.

And the performers? One of the most talented multi-voice recordings I have listened to (and I have rather a large audio collection, hmm hmm). Everyone was so strong.

My only "complaint" about this performance?

I didn't get to see it live.

Excellent

Wonderful to hear a live performance mixing poetry, music and narrative. I also learned more about the culture of the time.

Rare history, mixed with poetry

I got this to hear the rarely recorded history of black entertainers in 19th century America. I was not disappointed in the history; there are fascinating details of two blind musical prodigies, one an ex-slave, who were inevitably taken advantage of, but kept their dignity and artistry alive against formidable odds. There was also a great deal of poetry interspersed, which I found rather dull, but I am interested in history not poetry. It may well touch the soul of those more attuned than I. I appreciated learning about the lives and work of these long ago entertainers, whose stories are moving and elevating.

Beautiful and interesting

I really enjoyed the majority of this. I just didn't like the operatic portion. I'm just not a fan. Everything else was WONDERFUL. I particularly liked the discussion at the end regarding the content, history, and structure.

Fantastic

Absolutely fabulous. A lot of historical information that few (including myself) knew. Thank you for the information. Well be sharing.

Beautiful & Moving

This book is wonderful. Deep, moving, beautifully performed and incredibly touching the stories within should be better known than they are.

Visuals missing

This is obviously part of a live show, there are many characters - but it is too dynamic a story for Audible. I would like to see these characters on stage. I really enjoy the section with Scott Joplin - I have learned much. It's history told interestingly. I just don't feel this is the right format.

backwards

The explanation at the end would have been helpful in the beginning for me. But not enough to relisten.

soul food

This was truly food to my soul. I am glad that I took a chance on it. It is what I needed to feed my mind, heart, and soul.