Stepping out of the methodical release of big industry, cookie cutter albums, I was handed a CD of local artistry and found myself truly amazed at what it had to offer. Nipples in Chicken Sauce is a compilation of spoken word from the growing collection of Ginsbergian performers found every third Tuesday at Biederman’s Open Mic Nights.
Created by PSC student Josh Hurley, also a Biederman’s performer, although not featured on this album, Nipples in Chicken Sauce is undoubtedly a masterpiece collection of performance poetry. The CD features the Open Mic regulars reciting their best- at least what I thought was their best. Listening to this album convinced me that seeing the Open Mic is a necessity, and I learned that the best can come out at any time. This album is built to bring you into the Open Mic atmosphere. The recordings are all from recordings at Biederman’s, and though they may be rough at times, it’s clearly stated on the album cover that it is intentional.
The first three tracks are by an extraordinary poet, and PSC alumni and winner of last spring’s poetry slam, Nicki Ross. All three of Ross’s tracks take less than three minutes to hear, but they are clearly some of the best on the album. Ross attracts attention from every listener when she steps up to the microphone, and she has the same effect here. But if it’s laughs you’re looking for, Dana D.’s “Crazy Tony” tells the tale of her meeting a crazy character, named…Tony. It’s seven and a half minutes of funny. Following shortly after is the fifth track with Crystal’s “Table Haikus,” a hilarious tribute to her kidney infections, and “Paradise Smells Like Urine”.
The sixth track, “Why I Wear White” by Erin P, is a politically driven piece about the separation of green and orange on the Irish flag, neutrality and rising up. The seventh track is an Open Mic favorite and outstanding performer who put his all into this piece. Dan S wrote “$56.48 for a Little Piece of My Mind” about an argument with a philosophy professor. His words move fast but they are full. He speaks to the audience and reads with unparalleled passion as he goes through his early morning epiphany while continuing to have an intellectual conversation with a phone-line prostitute- this deserves listening as the intricacies and humor are far too good to describe here. Bob G’s “Order and What to Say” comes up next, a thirty second, thought provoking piece on language with a slower tempo that lets meaning drip from the words.
Jason M breaks out “Dissolve” and “Spell Caster”, both full of excellent words and descriptions. Jon L’s “Women I Wanted When I was 11” was short and would inevitably make even the most serious, gun-slinging, killing machine Marine pee from laughter, with a twist of nostalgia. He followed that with “Worst Case Scenario” which was just as funny and representative of Jon’s humor and unbelievable talent that he always brought to the audience. The track is one of the best and funniest on the album, full of laughter and two fantastic poems. “My Sunny Day” by Kevin Y. is another funny treat about a day that was not all that sunny in actuality. In fact, it was a pretty bad day. Liz A. read a beautiful poem on track twelve, full of description and extraordinary language, just like any great poem is.
Paul R approached the microphone to read “Looking for Jack Kerouac’s Grave.” His piece is a journey with friends looking for the grave of famous beat writer, Jack Kerouac. The best part about this track is that Paul writes it in a voice similar to that of the great Kerouac. This story is one of my favorite tracks on the whole album, and it proves that writing is an art. Robin D covers track fourteen with “Buggy,” a poem about travelling through Amish country in Pennsylvania. It’s a quick read with great imagery about more than just viewing the Amish. Sgams’ “Oh Beautiful” is a musical mockery of the once extremely popular patriotic ditty. It’s in somewhat poor taste and lacks any real sense of creativity. It’s probably the only thing on the album worth hitting the skip button for. The last track is William “Vagface” Brasier reading “Snakes,” a great description piece on one of the world’s overlooked beauties. “Surfing” is Will’s second poem, about watching surfing on television and moving to illiteracy- a powerful piece.
The CD is a premium compilation by Hurley and “I Fling PooProduction” that is more than worth the mere three dollars being charged for it by the PSC Poets and Writers. Go and buy it, have a listen, and I bet I’ll see you at the next Open Mic.