MP3 samples

Where is the Revolution?

Coming Closer

Slavery

Indonesian Dreads

Greg Hagel, Joe Shakarchi, Stephen Kent, John Densmore, and Manose.

A groundbreaking fusion of poetry and world music, Joe Shakarchi's new collection of poetry, SUNRISE IN THE WEST, is accompanied by a poetry/music CD with music by John Densmore (founding member of The Doors), on percussion, Stephen Kent (host of KPFA's "Music of the World") on didjeridu, and Manose (a master musician from Nepal) on flute.

The book and CD are available for $10 each, or together for $15. To order, contact Joe Shakarchi

To schedule readings, performances, workshops, and media appearances, contact Joe Shakarchi by e-mail

Raised in New York, Joe Shakarchi has been part of the San Francisco poetry scene since 1982. His writing has appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, Poetry Flash, The Berkeley Poetry Review, and North Beach Journal. He is the winner of the 1999 Common Ground poetry contest. Joe is also one of six San Francisco poets chosen for the "Poetry in Public Display" exhibition throughout the city. Along with frequent appearances on radio and TV, he has helped produce poetry videos, and has often performed with musicians including John Densmore, Stephen Kent and Manose. Joe has taught writing at San Francisco State University and San Jose City College. His influences include Rumi, rock ‘n’ roll, Zen, the temples of Bangkok and Kathmandu, and the cafes of North Beach and Greenwich Village.

Joe is currently spending a year in Asia, travelling to Thailand, Vietnam, Bali and.....who knows where the winds will blow him? In addition to teaching at King Mongkut's University in Bangkok, he will be writing new poems, and also trying his hand at writing travel stories and memoirs.

Indonesian Dreads Singing Marley

under a bare 100 watt bulb
in an old hotel in Yogyakarta
on the island of Java
paint peeling under exposed wires
laundry piled under
soot-coated pipes

filtered through cigarette smoke
and beer glasses
in the cool midnight air
to the rhythm of one guitar

in soft voices
filled with longing
we sing
long into the night
these songs of freedom

Coming Closer

I’ve heard you
in a blackbird’s song
in the dark of night
in the whispering wind

can you hear me?
are you coming closer?

I’ve seen you
running with the deer
sleeping with a bear
swimming with the salmon
in the rush of the river

can you see me?
are you coming closer?

I’ve dreamed you
in the coyote’s howl
the eagle’s flight
the raven’s caw
you’re the flow of the slipstream
the song inside all
I search for you everywhere
can you hear my call?

do you dream me?
am I coming closer?

"Weaves unplugged world-sound textures through Shakarchi's neo-Zen scene setting . . . a bit like beat poetry brushed with Jim Morrison."

East Bay Express

"Joe wanders the world with his great eye, and ear, for street scenes, looking and listening for guidance and signs of grace. Wily, openhearted, he is good company."

Coleman Barks

"Spending a day, jamming with these two world-class musicians, using Joe Shakarchi's beautiful, soulful words as our map, has been one of the most fulfilling musical experiences I've had."

John Densmore