Friday, July 3, 2015

We are

[His] magnificent baritone was not merely a voice. It was an orchestra of enormous range and power, its graceful sound seemed to linger on for millions who had heard it on film and stage. Homer must have known someone very much like Richard Burton.
~Gerald Clarke

Can "to be" be a poem? Watch how Richard Burton says it and let me know what you think. I'm also sharing his reading of a ghazal by James Elroy Flecker.




One more quote:
You may be as vicious about me as you please. You will only do me justice.
~Richard Burton

Mainely Write has the Poetry Friday round-up today.

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10 comments:

  1. Diane MayrJuly 3, 2015 at 9:32 AM

    "They are." Two words that took an awful lot of space in that video! And yes, I guess "To be" is a poem if it's spoken as one. I have an awful lot of discomfort reading my poems out loud, which makes me wonder if a real poet needs to be a performer, too?

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  2. KeriJuly 3, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    What a gift, that instrument of his! Swoon worthy. :-)

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  3. Linda BJuly 3, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    We are fortunate to have the tools by which we can continue to love that voice, aren't we? I loved the greatest poem, the way Burton took such time. Thanks, Tabatha. Have a lovely holiday weekend!

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  4. Mary LeeJuly 3, 2015 at 5:00 PM

    Simple but powerful words.

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  5. Julie July 3, 2015 at 7:00 PM

    Is it the Welshman in Burton that makes his language come out so thrillingly? Gad, just the way he repeats "Jazmin " - !! Swoon.

    It's wonderful to hear someone deliver a poem well, isn't it? Of course, Burton was trained to do it, but I think a poet who wasn't trained and still manages to make a poem sound glorious is a miracle - Seamus Heaney could do it. Thomas Lux is a wonderful example, too.

    Thanks for posting this, Tabatha - I fell into it and spent some real time looking around on YouTube, listening to other Burton recordings.

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  6. Bridget MageeJuly 3, 2015 at 8:11 PM

    Dang! So, so profound. Thanks for sharing, Tabatha! =)

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  7. Author AmokJuly 4, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Tabatha, it's so lovely that you posted this! I just finished reading Jess Walter's novel BEAUTIFUL RUINS. Richard Burton plays a huge role in the narrative. It's very cool to see this clip of him.

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  8. Robyn Hood BlackJuly 4, 2015 at 3:31 PM

    Such a rich, enticing, commanding voice. Thanks for sharing these treasures. "I AM" - if not a poem precisely - is certainly a history-altering declaration, with continued infinite possibilities..... I too was struck by Burton's taking of time in these clips.

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  9. Donna SmithJuly 4, 2015 at 5:53 PM

    I do think timing is so important in the reading of poetry, just like oral reading of stories. Timing is everything. Of course having a "well-oiled" voice and presence helps, too!

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  10. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesJuly 6, 2015 at 7:17 AM

    His voice is like stroking a tiger: soothing, strong, powerful, contained... for now. The danger always present. Not that I've ever stroked a tiger, mind you, but that's the metaphor that comes to mind.

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