Karl Garson at the Pump House

The Pump House Reading Series--February 2011--"Poetry Lost and Found" with Karl Garson


Karl Garson kicked off the final season of the Pump House Reading Series last night with a meditation on poetry's relationship to song.  Joined by vocalist Katie Bakalars and pianist Larry Price, Garson's hour-long show offered an alternative to the Pump House's usual format of featured reading followed by open mic.  Garson, looking resplendant in a full-on tuxedo, sought the connection between contemporary poetry and "songs of the heart," lyrical jazz of the mid-twentieth century.  When that connection was tangible, the performance was more than enjoyable--it was an example of something poetry readings should do more often: explore an artistic vision, use the whole stage, incorporate visual media and song, and generally think outside the box.  As the script meandered through stories of war and romance, the evening's main thread sometimes vanished in Garson's personal memorabilia, and the pathos of a poet's own quest for meaning overwhelmed the artistry of his work.  But there were fine moments.  Bakalars and Price were featured successfully on vocals and piano, and Garson's best--the story of he and his wife falling in love, and his reading of his uncle's World War II journals--managed the warmth and emotional range of good memoir.  In short, it was an ambitious effort on Garson's part, and more poets could follow his lead.  If you missed it, keep an eye out: Garson marshalled A/V equipment for the evening, so the recording might show up online.


The Pump House Reading Series convenes again on St. Patrick's Day, featuring Dobby Gibson.  The final event in the seven-year series is April 21, featuring the series's founders/organizers, David Krump, Kelly Sexton, and me.

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