Soft Machine – Book Musik Podcast

Tosh and Kimley discuss Side by Side: Selected Lyrics by Robert Wyatt and Alfie Benge. Wyatt started his music career as a founding member of The Soft Machine in the 1960s and released his first solo album in the early 70s. Alfie, his wife, manager, and creative partner is an artist who has done all of his cover art as well as writing many of his lyrics. Robert and Alfie are former card-carrying members of the Communist Party of Great Britain and avid followers of ‘pataphysics – the science of imaginary solutions. The tension between serious and playful, political and dreamy is a key feature in their work. This collection of lyrics and artwork is a beautiful testament to their inspiring collaboration.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Tosh and Kimley discuss William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll by Casey Rae. William Burroughs has always been a magnet for the music crowd. Icons as diverse as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Jimmy Page, Thurston Moore, Kurt Cobain and so many more have all made a pilgrimage to sit at the feet of the outlaw writer. Steely Dan and Soft Machine cribbed their names from Burroughs and countless others have cited his cut-up technique as an inspirational tool. Now considered classics, books like Naked Lunch, Junky, and Queer were not so gently pushing the boundaries of polite society and challenging obscenity laws. It’s no wonder the rock ‘n’ roll crowd came knocking.

Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17

Tag Archives: Soft Machine

Book Musik 036 – Side by Side: Selected Lyrics by Robert Wyatt & Alfie Benge

Book Musik 018 – William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll by Casey Rae