I’ve blogged about the weird experience of finding journals
written by different alternates in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Journals I have no memory of writing.
I’ve recently found a box of audio taped spoken word
performances by Rob Goldstein from the 1980’s.
I know intellectually that I am Rob Goldstein but it’s
the estrangement from that part of myself that makes
listening to these tapes so weird.
I stared at them for six weeks before I ordered
a cassette to mp3 converter.
It took another two weeks for me to use the damned thing.
I listened to a few of the tapes today and I’m shocked.
I have no memory of these readings.
In fact, I have no hard copies of some of the writing I
performed as Rob Goldstein.
Here’s a a short piece named ‘Stephanie’ from a public reading in 1984.
I was in my late 20’s.
This story about Stephanie may be true.
Stephanie
Written and performed by Rob Goldstein
(c) Rob Goldstein 2016 all rights reserved
These must be like “found treasure” for you. It’s amazing that you don’t remember doing these. You were really good at it…a very compelling voice and a great storyteller. 💖 Have fun exploring these, and thanks for sharing them with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks…I just published some excerpts from a 1996 reading that includes Harold Norse. These are treasures, if only because I wasn’t certain of my memories of Norse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was an incredible recording. You were an engaging and talented performer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Josh. I wa nervous that night because it was my first professional gig and my mentor was in the audience. I’m working on a clip from a performance 2 years later and there is a noticeable difference in quality.
LikeLike
To hear your voice telling this story I would imagine would be a really cool finding!!!
Do you remember where this was? Sounds like a lot of people were there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t remember the performance . But I do remember the story of story. There is something cool about finding these tapes. Especially the tape made in 1996 when I interviewed Harold Norse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved listening to it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. They’ll be more as I convert the tapes. 🙂
LikeLike
It must feel so strange and disturbing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…but also exciting. The tapes are from 1984 through 1992 and I can hear the writing and the confidence in performance evolve. It’s odd to known that the person on these tapes is me and to wonder how I ever had the ability to stand in front of an audience and perform.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You discover yourself new or in some way you discover a part of youreself you were not aware of. That really is exciting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Im fact…there are some amazing literary interviews in this collection of tapes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I’m working on them now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great!!!
LikeLike