Various – A Diamond Hidden In The Mouth Of A Corpse LP

Last time a copy of this found it’s way into the store, I went to write about it but then decided I would rather buy it for myself, so now that a 2nd (and nicer condition) copy has arrived, some words peeled deserved.

Downtown NYC experimental poet and personality John Giorno’s memoir is a favourite of mine, but sometimes I wish he’d included more about the killer Giorno Poetry Systems label he ran during the 1980s. Not only did a bunch of the comps he’d issue collect readings from the best of the downtown poetry scene, they also paired them alongside some of the best groups of the era. While the non-album Hüsker Dü cut is killer, other highlights lie where at least I wasn’t expecting when I first heard this. The David Johansen song opened me up to the severely underrated world of his solo catalogue and Jessica Hagedorn & The Gangster Choir’s Tenement Lover feels like a forgotten classic of 1980s mutant disco!

I should probably say something about the great Keith Haring cover as well. His link with Giorno was first drawn to my attention via Tony MacGregor’s incredible (and NSFW) radio doco for the ABC on Giorno that a friend sent me some years ago. A cursory internet search makes me think maybe it’s disappeared into the web abyss. Don’t wanna spoil the great story here - maybe the ABC should dredge it up from the archives (and make more arts programming like that)!!! –Mitch

Secondhand UK Pressing  

Gatefold cover with inner sleeve showing artwork by Keith Haring.

CONDITION:

Record: Very Good +

Cover: Excellent

Label: Giorno Poetry Systems

Year of press:  1985

Cat #: GPS 035

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Photo is of the actual album for sale. 

(JP0377)