|
New CD!
Clive Lever has now produced the second
volume of his series of CD's featuring Humorous poems written by
Manchester poet Les Barker, and
performed by celebrities. It is called "The Missing Persians file
(Guide Cats vol. 2). All proceeds go to British Computer Association of
the Blind, and will be used to enhance the life chances of blind people
through access to computers and the Internet. The CD's are priced at
£10 a copy, or £15 if you buy both volumes together. If you would like
to order a copy, please contact Clive Lever on 07711 607272 or 01622
672277, or email:
clive.lever@tiscali.co.uk.
Guide Cats for the Blind Volume 2
The Missing Persians File
Songs & Poems of Les Barker
The Players
John Humphrys, Joss Ackland, Harvey
Andrews with John Shepherd, Prunella Scales Timothy West, Les Barker,
Emma Chambers, Tom Paxton, Jeremy Vine, Nonny James, Genevieve Tudor, Ed
Stewart, Steve Tilston, Frank Hennessey, Ryan Kelly, Roger Lloyd Pack,
Rodney Bewes, Sic Transit, Desmond Carrington, Gerard McDermott, Trevor
Peacock and last but not least The Mrs Ackroyd Band.
Les Barker. A short biography from the age of three until nearly
teatime
Les Barker writes strange poems and comes originally from Manchester,
but he's now Welsh. He was an accountant before he became a professional
idiot.
His poems include Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate
Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive, Spot of the Antarctic, An Infinite
Number of Occasional Tables', 'A Cardi and Bloke', 'Up the Creek Without
a Poodle' and 'The War on Terrier' to name but two.
Les began his career as assistant to Mrs
Ackroyd, a small hairy mongrel who lay around in folk clubs, bit people
and became famous. Mrs Ackroyd was the only dog ever to own her own
record label.
Since her sad demise, Les is mainly a solo performer, though he has
taken to working with humans from time to time.
Les is well known for his cardigans and cuts a dash in the fashion world
where he is much respected as a leading exponent of the woollen garment
in all its splendour.
If he is not at home when you phone, his ansaphone will tell you that he
has gone into Oswestry to have a good time, but do leave a message.
CD Booklet notes by Paul Donovan Radio Columnist of The Sunday Times.
I have a confession. I never thought Guide Cats for the Blind would be a
great success. A mixed bag of radio folk reading strange poems by a
relatively unknown Mancunian called Les Barker? Happily I was quite
wrong. The combination of his extraordinarily clever wordplay, his
stature on the folk circuit - even if the London-dominated literary and
media worlds have yet to discover him - and the presence of names like
Terry Wogan and Charlotte Green, was such to ensure healthy sales. That
double CD has now raised over £21,000 for the British Computer
Association of the Blind, a charity that helps people across a whole
range of visual impairments to get the most out of their computers. In
my experience this community, if it can be called that, contains the
most erudite and enthusiastic radio listeners anywhere.
That was two years ago. The Missing Persians File is the sequel, again
created by Clive Lever. It follows the same successful format: surreal
and funny verse from the prolific Les Barker read (or sung) by stars of
music and broadcasting. I'm not a member of the BCAB, just a maverick
critic, and my personal view is that it's rather better than Volume 1 -
the imagery sharper, the music more tuneful, the puns more inventive.
What Is The British Computer Association Of The Blind?
BCAB is an UK organisation of visually impaired people who use
information and communications technology. Their membership ranges from
experienced computer professionals, to people who are beginning to
explore the use of information and communications technology for
leisure, study or employment. Please go to the BCAB web site
www.bcab.org.uk/ for further information.
Go
to Next Page
Go
to Previous Page
Go
to Index Page
Go to Home Page
|