THE COLLECTED POEMS OF AL PURDY Written and performed by Al Purdy Toronto, McClelland & Stewart, 1990. 1 90-minute audio cassette, $14.95 ISBN 0-7710-7031-4 SELECTED POEMS 1945-89: A WILD PECULIAR JOY Written and performed by Irving Layton Toronto, McClelland & Stewart, 1990. 1 90-minute audio cassette, $14.95 ISBN 0-7710-4950-1 Adult Reviewed by Doug Watling. Volume 18 Number 6 1990 November Two recent "Audio Encore" releases feature Irving Layton reading from A Wild Peculiar Joy and Al Purdy reading from The Collected Poems of Al Purdy. Both tapes run close to 90 minutes. A Wild Peculiar Joy contains more poems, as you might expect given Layton's succinct ways with language. Purdy favours long lines and a discur­sive point of view. Layton is easier to take over the long run, reading the poems with a gruff neutrality that suits the taut lines. Purdy's voice sounds hollow and drugged, and flattens out the poetry. Purdy's poetry has its compensa­tions. The characteristic Purdy self-mockery is a congenial and effective strategy in poems like "About Being A Member of Our Armed Forces" and "Over the Hills in the Rain, My Dear." Layton is not above disparaging his talents — in "Shakespeare," for instance but the Layton persona is still much in evidence. Of course, that persona also lends his poetry some verve. I would have preferred a looser reading format. Layton's introductions to “The Bull Calf" and "Senile, My Sister Sings" made me hungry for more. Purdy introduces his poems by section, and that's it. Purdy's intros sound scripted, Layton's off the cuff. Ironi­cally, of course, Purdy's poems are often free-associative and borderline surreal, while Layton's stay grounded in the real world. As for accompaniment, I'd want the book handy for Purdy. In poems like "Roblin's Mill," things can get slurry. Layton's readings arc more articulated. Purdy is quite good with dialogue and his poems have the personal touch, but I'm not sure he's the ideal reader. I find his poetry stronger on the page. Layton's readings are solid and me­thodical, nothing more. There's no vitalization going on in either tape, just reading, pure and simple. Doug Watling, West Credit Secondary School, Mississauga, Ont.