Moondog, The Viking of 6th Avenue: The Authorized Biography

"Moondog is one of America’s great originals."—Alan Rich, New York Magazine Here is one of the most improbable lives of the twentieth a blind and homeless man who became the most famous eccentric in New York and who, with enormous diligence, rose to prominence as an internationally respected music presence. Born Louis Thomas Hardin in 1916, Moondog first made an impression in the late 1940s when he became a mascot of The New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. His unique, melodic compositions were released on the Prestige jazz label. In the late 1960s the Viking-garbed Moondog was a pop music sensation on Columbia Records. Moondog is the noted inspiration for the contemporary freak folk movement led by Devendra Banhart. Moondog's compositional style influenced his former roommate, Philip Glass, whose Preface and performances of Moondog works appear in the book. Moondog's work transcends labels and redefines the distinction between popular and high culture. A CD compilation with a variety of Moondog's compositions is bound into the book. The CD tracklisting is as 1: Caribea (1:32)Performer/ To a Sea Horse (1:43)Performer/ Trees Against the Sky (.51)Performer/ Oo Debut (1:09)Performer/ Autumn (2:07)Performer/ Moondog Monologue (8:24)Performer/ Moondog’s Theme (1:53)Performer/ Trimbas in Quarters (1:47)Performer/ I Came Into This World Alone (1:19) Moondog, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Jon Be a Hobo (1:22) Moondog, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Jon Why Spend the Dark Night With You (1:40) Moondog, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Jon All is Loneliness (1:38) Moondog, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Jon Organ Rounds (2:04)Performer/ Canon in F Major, Book I (.43) Paul Canon in B Flat Major, Book III (1:36) Paul Canon in B Flat Major, Book I (.43) Paul Canon in B Flat Major, Book II (.28) Paul Canon in G Sharp Minor, Book I (.44) Paul Canon in C Sharp Minor, Book II (1:32) Paul 5/4 Snakebite Rattle (3:41) Stefan Trimbas and Woodblock in 5/2 (1:26) Stefan When I Am Deep in Sleep (2:17) Stefan Rabbit Hop (2:25)Performer/ Dog Trot (2:25)Performer/ Bird’s Lament (2:00)Performer/ Viking 1 (2:55)Performer/ Heimdall Fanfare (3:06)Performer/ Intro and Overtone Continuum (2:22)Performer/ Moondog