United States

Very rare and delightfull. I can't think why one would sell it, but I'm thankfull for it. Just perfect. It was on top of my wish list forever.

Published in 1984 as a companion book to Laurie Anderson's massive work-in-progress "United States: Parts I-IV," this engaging collection of images and words succeeds as both a handy supplement to the performance and a compelling coffee table book. The world premiere was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1983, and audio recordings of the two-evening cycle were released as a 4-disc set. Since many of her fans, particularly new listeners discovering her work, don't have the opportunity to experience this opus as a live multimedia presentation, this book provides a way to see many of the images and ideas that originally corresponded with the sounds and music. There are photos and stills from the various pieces (in mostly B & W, with a few in color), and clip art, sketches and score notes. All of the words (both spoken and sung) are fully transcribed as well, making this an interesting anthology of lyrics, poems, stories, and ponderings. Not only is this book a welcome enhancement to a sitting with the live CD set, it functions as an inspiring work of print art, too. If you enjoy Laurie's stuff, especially her early '80s material, this is worth seeking out.