In 1980, Allen Ginsberg toured Europe accompanied by his long-term partner, and poet in his own right, Peter Orlovsky, along with the young musician Steven Taylor. On November 10, they performed at Forum Stadpark in Graz, a small venue in a small Austrian town. The entire performance was recorded by ORF, the Austrian National Broadcasting Corporation, but was never broadcast and, until now, unreleased.
CLICK HERE FOR DIGITAL VERSION ON BANDCAMP
Poet, filmmaker and Beat scholar Thomas Antonic went into the vaults of ORF and excavated the recording, acting as the producer of this record of astounding audio quality, mastered by legendary sound wizard KRAMER, released on Tate Swindell’s label Unrequited Records in San Francisco. This is a unique historical document which preserves an exceptional 94 minute performance of this trio who were only active together for a short period of time.
The first edition of this double-album is limited to 200 copies on 180g vinyl in violet color. It includes an 8-page booklet with extensive liner notes by Antonic who managed to track down the organizer of the Graz event, as well as attendees. He also interviewed Steven Taylor for his insights and remembrances.
The booklet features previously unpublished photographs by Ginsberg capturing the trio’s jubilant spirit. Whether they are clearing the snow from James Joyce’s grave in Zürich, posing for a possible album cover in front of the Goethe Monument in Vienna, or clowning around in Budapest, these intimate snapshots provide a peek behind the scenes while touring through Central Europe.
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Allen Ginsberg: vocals, percussion
Peter Orlovsky: vocals, banjo, percussion
Steven Taylor: vocals, guitar
JOIN US FOR THE RECORD RELEASE PREMIERE SHOWS IN EUROPE THIS SPRING !!!
April 28 – Budapest
8pm @ Café Jedermann, Ráday u. 58
Gabor Gyukics hosts an evening with poets Thomas Antonic and Tate Swindell along with musicians Viktor A. Bori (piano) and Quetzal Tirado (horns). They will discuss the record and all three poets will read Ginsberg’s poetry.
April 29 – Vienna
8pm @ Salon, Praterstrasse 17a
Thomas Antonic and Tate Swindell discuss the record and read Ginsberg’s poetry. They will also read their own poetry including from Swindell’s recent book, published in Austria by Edition Baes, SOLAR SCHLAGEN, which was translated by Antonic.
April 30 – Prague
7pm @ Čítárna Unijazzu, Husitská 22
Josef Rauvolf hosts an evening with Thomas Antonic and Tate Swindell. They will discuss the record, read Ginsberg’s poetry, and Rauvolf will speak about translating Ginsberg into Czech.
May 4 – Graz
7pm @ Forum Stadtpark, Stadtpark 1
Julia Knass hosts an evening with Thomas Antonic and Tate Swindell. They will discuss the record and read Ginsberg’s poetry. They will be joined by writer Günter Eichberger who was a 21 year-old audience member at this historic reading.