Hi, this whole discussion has as Keith Tuma points out
at least brought this list some activity. Thanks to
cd for that. A feat replete.

It's curious that so much post goes into 'protectionism'
when advocacy of curiosities seems to invoke denial. This
becomes then a mostly silently contested space  -  a 'preserve'.

Andrea suggests that this policing has thrown up a breaking
of 'normal codes of civility over e-mail'. But the civility
was making me as anxious as the protectionism now has.

I'm sort of flattered at inclusively being characterised by Ric
as a hardened professional, and admit to being as open to projecting
such associated anxieties into this space as anyone.
But i like it when things are said, with some urgency. When
necessities are unresolved. What disturbed me was the amount
of energy invested in that particular focus of discussion.
The most urgent activity on British lists, yes it's a
generalisation, but one i've also had for example on Live
Art, is too often put into parameters, agendas based on unstated
assumptions about consensual tropes. It's pretty well
the discussions that began this list.

So Orpheus wants to talk recent Jeff Nuttall. I admit it's a while
since i was reading him. His mode became set amd it didn't engage
me. That's not to say he isn't a pivotal cross-artform figure,
and an important mobiliser here between 1966 - 76 say. Just that
i can't discuss his recent work Allen has already pointed to some
of what he's currently exhibiting. Perhaps he knows more.

I'm equally repelled and baited by Keston's imminent 'greatness'
question. In place of 'greatness' i would suggest unjust neglect.

My own small sense would be that Prynne, in his 'resolve' is met and undone
by Raworth (for myself that writer who activates the quotidien humane)
with pith and humor and local engagements beyond Jeremy's scope. Tom is
unjustly twilit. Nobody even tells him when things are happening
in Cambridge  -  vide the RemPress readings that Keston mentioned
in brief. Tom's activities as publisher and editor and translator,
let alone performer, reader and writer mark out a remarkable
generosity of spirit that can be all too lacking in Britain. Tom's most
recent book 'Clean and Well Lit' shows him still moving forwards,
stretching his range, remaining engaged.

The other who might be sometimes weirdly too taken for granted,
we could have a big tango here i reckon, is Bob Cobbing. Now 77
and having just produced almost 150 (might have exceeded that even)
mostly extraordinary books (in collaboration with Jethro) in the
first 16 months of the Domestic Ambient Noise sequence. Writers
Forum are approaching their 750th publication. Bob's infrastructural
interventions on behalf of poets, whether through Poets Conference,
ALP or his generous workshop map out an exemplary range of activities with
respect to poet as 'public' figure. Despite this, and aside from And 9 and
the 70th celebration at the ICA, all that has been widely disseminated on
Bob's work in the past few years is the scurrilous revisionist historian's
rantings that adorned the Angel Exhaust revival.

tired today
just back from Reg Reader's 60th at the Blaxhall Ship. Session
featuring many of the finest players from all over, in from
Shropshire, Cambridge, Burton, Gloucester, Cumbria  -  with
87 year olds in fine voice and steppers well into their late 70s.

Utterly exhilerating.

love and love
cris








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