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TWO IMMEASURABLE EQUATIONS It’s ironic that, after such a long time waiting for Sun Ra’s poetry being published on a book, in few months we can buy two different editions, one made in Europe by Waitawhile and the other one in USA by Phaelos, sharing not only the title but also the same prologue by Hartmut Geerken. Anyway... little by little. The edition compiled by Wolf and Geerken, picture at the top, it’s a gorgeous thick book including almost the entire totality of the poetry ever written by Sun Ra or, at least, everything which was ever printed. Its compilation took years of hard work, has more than 500 pages and erudite introductory essays by the mentioned Wolf and Geerken, plus several other specialists in Sun Ra’s work. Its price is, logically, higher, at the usual level of this kind of books. Order information here. On the other hand, the american edition, cover scan at the bottom, is the reprint of "Extensions Out - The Immeasurable Equation vol. 2", published by Sun Ra in 1972 and which contains something more than two hundred poems. The edition has been made by Adam Abraham, son of Alton Abraham, long time partner of Sun Ra during the Chicago years. This edition is cheaper, but this is very visible not only in its contents but also in the same book from a physical point of view (size, weight, paper quality). Just one year ago, we’d have judged this book as wonderful but after having seen the other one... the difference is too big. This edition can be purchased at amazon.com. The story about the same preface on the two books is curious: As the Phaelos edition was scheduled to be released years ago, Geerken wrote the text and sent it to Chicago to be included on the book. Time passed and the release never arrived, so he got the permission from the copyright owner's for his own edition, and requested to Phaelos not to use his text if their project was finally a reality. At the end, the text has appeared on the book... against the wish of the writer! When dealing with Sun Ra things, everything is possible. By the way, Geerken's photo on the article seems to have been taken from our twin Sun Ra Spanish site, but also without any permission or credit given. Trying to summarize things: For an introduction to Sun Ra's poetry without spending too much money, the Phaelos edition is enough. But if you want to dig deeper on Sun Ra's poetry and philosophy, helped by several introductory essays and interesting appendices, and you want to own a beautifully made book which will surely be on ebay at high prices in few years -remember "Omniverse", by the same publisher-... you won't find a better way of spending $60. Suso Navarrete, January 2006 |
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