Book Slam

To my shame, I have to admit that I fall into the category of someone who picks up a novel, a piece of non-fiction or a thriller over a poetry book, any day of the week. So spoken word events were, I thought, a rather roundabout way of filling that whole in my literary repertoire.

The first one I ever attended was a fringe event at Hay Festival last year. One of those hidden away local Welsh pubs when the main events have all shut down and the dirtier underground acts can find full vent for their political malaise, sexual frustration and personal crise d’etre – often always better expressed through the colourful and explosive words washed down with a few swigs of strong lager. That particular event was only slightly dirtier than Book Slam, taking place a couple of weeks ago, part of the ‘Shot from the Lip’ series of talks and events that are going on all over London until 27th April. This was as far removed from the sedate, restrained environment of more conventional book and poetry evenings that you could imagine. ‘Neighbourhood’ club in Ladbroke Grove (previously ‘Subterranea’) was just the right venue for these more usually ‘underground’ set of spoken word acts that have been thriving for years. Spoken word events and beat poetry are a whole new foray for me and last Thursday’s event was as ‘electricly’ charged as any of the finest plays or gigs that I have been to in the past. There was that same sense of atmosphere and expectation in the audience that you might expect watching one of your favourite bands — with old favourites, daring new numbers and acts that change and merge according the audience’s whim and expectations.

Gautam read sections of his extraordinary book Londonstani — see the MySpace site for more info. Its tragicomic irony resounded throughout and it reminded me of an inner city London version of the ‘gangsta’ ties of Goodfellas. Only Gautam would have been able to get across the vernacular of the language so it was a joy to hear the words from the man himself.

Salena Godden — more widely known as Salena Saliva Godden to her die hard fans- (also seasoned poet, raconteur, bon viveur as well as singer and writer — check out her videos and music as part of music duo extraordinaire SaltPeter)
was the first real mixture of beat poetry coupled with elements of jazz and good ol’ stand up that I have ever seen on stage (see her perform and you will understand what I mean). The crowd was poised for a good time from the moment she got up on stage and she didn’t fail to deliver – with an act that was as loud, uncompromising, insane, and down right dirty as you can imagine, shot through with poetry of such awesome beauty that it took your breath away.

For more information on Shot from the Lip check out their website. Tickets are five times cheaper than any more conventional live experiences on offer, with all the delights and some unexpected surprises – priceless …