Poems by 20th-century German poet Wolf Biermann are preformed in English by the British-born American singer and playwright Eric Bentley. Biermann, born in Hamburg and a member of the Communist party, sympathized with East Germany, and moved there in 1953. Outspoken and occasionally critical of the Communist government, Biermann was in turn heavily criticized in the official Communist newspaper Neues Deutschland, which described his poetry as "anarchistic" and "politically perverse," despite Biermann considering himself a "good" Communist being ruled by "bad Communists." the liner notes of this 1968 album include a description of Biermann's life, selected English texts, original German song and poem text, and news clippings.

Tracklist:

The Song Of The Worst Thing
Ballad On The Poet François Villon
Ballad Of The Letter Carrier William L. Moore
The Barlach Song
Nothing To It
Comrade Julián Grimau
Ballad Of The Man
Legend Of The Soldier In World War III
Ballad Of Fredi Rohsmeisel
Do Not Wait For Better Times
Early Morning
The Singers Inagural Address
Toys
To The Old Comrade
Reckless Abuse
Germany: A Winter's Tale
December 1965, Question & Answer...
Soldatenmelodie

UPC: 093070543225
Label: Folkways Records
Release Date: 5.30.12
Format: CD

Eric Bentley - Bentley on Biermann: Songs and Poems (CD)