Bloodaxe Books: Features > Jackie Kay reading

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Praise for Bloodaxe:

"Bloodaxe Books has a ferocious reputation as a publisher of ground-breaking poetry."
The Sunday Times

"That Newcastle is known as one of the centres of English poetry is due in a very large measure to Bloodaxe Books."
Philip Larkin

"If Bloodaxe Books are spoken of, we'll expect
The reverent murmur of - Respect... Respect"
Adrian Mitchell

"The books have class and clout. Bloodaxe is an extremely important venture."
Melvyn Bragg

"Bloodaxe has been the liveliest and most innovative poetry house in the last couple of years."
The Listener

  Jackie and Sapphire: Page 2 of 2

Story index:   Page 1: The review

  Page 2: Audio: the poems

Jackie Kay read her poetry at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on 13/08/01. We were there to record part of her performance. Thanks to Jackie Kay and the Book Festival for giving their permission.

These recordings were made in a tent in a public garden in central Edinburgh, so there is unavoidably some background traffic noise. Think of it as atmosphere.

Each poem is availabe in three versions:

Blue versions: MP3 format. Most poems include an introduction from Jackie Kay.

Red versions: .wav with MP3 compression: recommended for Windows ME, and most Windows 2000 machines. Also includes a few words of introduction from Jackie.

Yellow versions: .wav with standard compression: recommended for some Windows 2000 machines and earlier. These versions are much larger files (up to 10MEG!), and don't include Jackie's comments.

Downloading: clck on "Blue Version", for MP3. For .wav try "Red Version" first. If that doesn't work click on "Yellow version" but expect to wait longer for the file to download.

From "The Adoption Papers", Bloodaxe, 1991.

The Waiting List
Blue Version: 491k, 2:05mins
Red Version: 490k, 2:05mins
Yellow Version: 5,315k, 1:53mins

Pride
Blue Version: 1,034k, 4:25mins
Red Version: 1,039k, 4:25mins
Yellow Version: 10,403k, 3:41mins

From "Other Lovers", Bloodaxe, 1993.

The Red Graveyard
Blue Version: 665k, 2:50mins
Red Version: 662k, 2:50mins
Yellow Version: 5,531k, 1:57mins

From "Off Colour", Bloodaxe, 1998.

English cousin comes to Scotland
Blue Version: 376k, 1:36mins
Red Version: 376k, 1:36mins
Yellow Version: 3,823k, 1:22mins

Her
Blue Version: 241k, 1:36mins
Red Version: 239k, 1:36mins
Yellow Version: 2,889k, 1:01mins

Somebody Else
Blue Version: 402k, 1:41mins
Red Version: 397k, 1:41mins
Yellow Version: 1,505k, 0:32mins