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Billy Collins Live: A Performance at the Peter Norton Symphony Space April 20, 2005 Audiobook
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(4.15) - 174 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this exclusive audio publishing event, Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate, shares an evening of his poetry in a benefit reading for WNYC, New York Public Radio. Often compared to Robert Frost, his poetry has been embraced by people of all ages and backgrounds, and his readings are most often standing room only.
Performed by the author at Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City, Billy Collins reads 24 of his poems, including "Dharma" --a spiritual yet humbling ode to man's best friend, "The Lanyard--an amusing recollection about the popular, if not pointless, summer camp pastime, and "Consolation" --a tongue-in-cheek reflection of a cancelled European trip, and the benefits of staying home instead. In addition to the poetry readings, Collins also spends some time in a brief question and answer session where he reflects on what makes good poetry, his own process of reaching his audiences as a poet, the success of his Poetry 180 programs in schools nationwide, and an amusing sidebar on his memories growing up as an only child. At times pensive and sardonic, amusing and subtly sarcastic, Billy Collins Live celebrates both the simple and the complex in a language that appeals to all.
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"This CD of Billy Collins reading his poetry live is phenomenal. I would challenge anyone who says they don't like poetry to listen to this. And for those of us who already do, you can appreciate rare stroke of brilliance. Billy Collins is great to read, but much better to listen to. "
— Lindsay (5 out of 5 stars)
Billy Collins Live Listener Reviews
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breanne siebach, 12/10/2014
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" Billy Collins makes poetry accessible even to those of us (like me) who think they don't enjoy or understand it. "
— Sari, 12/22/2013 -
" Only 4 stars because it wasn't long enough. I live Billy Collins. He is an Everyman poet, speaks plainly and beautiful. I love the music of his words. "
— Sally, 12/19/2013 -
" It is a treat to hear Billy Collins recite his poetry. The introduction by Bill Murray is funny and smart. "
— Sandi, 12/13/2013 -
" Enjoyable. A nice break in the stream of novels. What my Dad might have called a "wry sense of humor." I'll search out and read more from him. "
— Dave, 12/1/2013 -
" Nice diversion. Intro by Bill Murray is equally fun! Loved the Lanyard and the Medieval Memories. "
— Lisa, 11/11/2013 -
" The poet is not only talented, but he is hilarious. "
— Jocelyn, 10/25/2013 -
" My favorite poet. Hearing him read is a wonderful way to see the humor in the poems. "
— Jennifer, 10/19/2013 -
" Billy Collins shows that poetry doesn't have to be hard to understand. His humor and observations of everyday life make this a wonderful audiobook. Great intro by Bill Murray, too. "
— Nat, 9/13/2013 -
" It was really fun. The way he express his poem was very touching. "
— Chiuho, 9/5/2013 -
" Reading Billy Collins is a terrific experience, but LISTENING to him read his poems is hilarious and transcendent. "
— Vicki, 5/20/2013 -
" Fantastic. I love his poetry and loved, even more, getting both to hear it in his own words and to hear his funny little openings. Giving new meaning to some of my favorites of his. If you enjoy his poetry, hear it from him. "
— pri, 4/20/2013 -
" Great stuff. Billy Collins is as much a comedian and entertainer as he is a poet. So, his art and delivery are witty and accessible. "
— Tom, 1/27/2013 -
" This CD of Billy Collins reading his poetry live is phenomenal. I would challenge anyone who says they don't like poetry to listen to this. And for those of us who already do, you can appreciate rare stroke of brilliance. Billy Collins is great to read, but much better to listen to. "
— Lindsay, 11/16/2012 -
" What a wonderful audiobook! Highly recommended! "
— Claire, 9/23/2012 -
" Life-changing. Loved every poem, laughed out loud, loved the commentary between poems. Hurrah for Billy Collins. "
— Whitney, 8/18/2012 -
" Phenomenal! He's a great reader and his poetry is wonderful. "
— Tracy, 5/14/2012 -
" I listened to various parts of this 4 times before returning it to the library. Brilliant. "
— Bryce, 3/17/2012 -
" Amazing poetry! Recently, Billy Collins visited Nashville and I heard him read his poetry and answer questions from the audience. It was thrilling to me and I wanted to ask the question, how do you think poetry writing different or similar to song-writing. But I was chicken. "
— Linda, 1/30/2012 -
" Billy Collins, former Poet Laureate of the United States, reads 24 of his poems and offers comments, reflections and insights into each one. Introduction by Bill Murray. Funny and thought-provoking. "
— Bayneeta, 11/25/2011 -
" I've never thought of myself as someone who enjoyed poetry, but Billy Collins changes all that! "
— Micki, 7/31/2011 -
" I didn't particularly love Billy Collins until I listened to this audio version with an introduction by Bill Murray. Very funny. So funny and entertaining my unpoetic husband listened to it with enjoyment during a road trip. A favorite for audio collections. "
— Heather, 7/11/2011 -
" It was really fun. The way he express his poem was very touching. "
— Chiuho, 6/30/2011 -
" I listened to various parts of this 4 times before returning it to the library. Brilliant. "
— Bryce, 2/10/2011 -
" Enjoyable. A nice break in the stream of novels. What my Dad might have called a "wry sense of humor." I'll search out and read more from him. "
— Dave, 4/19/2010 -
" The poet is not only talented, but he is hilarious. "
— Jocelyn, 4/17/2010 -
" What a wonderful audiobook! Highly recommended! "
— Claire, 4/11/2010 -
" Billy Collins, former Poet Laureate of the United States, reads 24 of his poems and offers comments, reflections and insights into each one. Introduction by Bill Murray. Funny and thought-provoking. "
— Bayneeta, 12/16/2009 -
" Phenomenal! He's a great reader and his poetry is wonderful. "
— Tracy, 8/17/2009 -
" Billy Collins shows that poetry doesn't have to be hard to understand. His humor and observations of everyday life make this a wonderful audiobook. Great intro by Bill Murray, too. "
— Nat, 5/29/2009 -
" Fantastic. I love his poetry and loved, even more, getting both to hear it in his own words and to hear his funny little openings. Giving new meaning to some of my favorites of his. If you enjoy his poetry, hear it from him. "
— pri, 5/27/2009 -
" Life-changing. Loved every poem, laughed out loud, loved the commentary between poems. Hurrah for Billy Collins. "
— Whitney, 5/8/2009 -
" Amazing poetry! Recently, Billy Collins visited Nashville and I heard him read his poetry and answer questions from the audience. It was thrilling to me and I wanted to ask the question, how do you think poetry writing different or similar to song-writing. But I was chicken. "
— Linda, 5/7/2009 -
" It is a treat to hear Billy Collins recite his poetry. The introduction by Bill Murray is funny and smart. "
— Sandi, 8/26/2008 -
" Poetry doesn't get better than this <br/>Hearing Collins read his own work is astonishing "
— Grace, 8/24/2008 -
" My favorite poet. Hearing him read is a wonderful way to see the humor in the poems. "
— Jennifer, 2/20/2008
About Billy Collins
Billy Collins served two terms as the Poet Laureate of the United States, in 2001 to 2003, and then as the New York State Poet for 2004 through 2006. He is the author of several collections of poetry. He has won the Mark Twain Award for Humor in Poetry, the Norman Mailer Prize for Poetry, the Levinson Prize, and the Oscar Blumenthal Prize and been named Poetry magazine’s Poet of the Year and a New York Public Library Literary Lion, among many other awards and honors. He is a distinguished professor of English at Lehman College of the City University of New York and is the senior distinguished fellow of the Winter Park Institute in Florida.