John Berryman was one of the great poets of the 20th century.
And, according to Paul Muldoon, great poets “are lucky if they’re recognized while they’re alive. Triply, quadruply lucky if anyone pays any attention to them after they move on.”
Well, Berryman is getting his due at tomorrow night’s (Jan. 22) edition of Muldoon’s Picnic at the 92nd Street Y. Muldoon, himself, will talk about the American poet’s time in Ireland. Shane McCrea will speak about Berryman’s “Only Sing: 152 Uncollected Dream Songs,” which he’s edited; while John Darnielle, best known perhaps as the front man for the Mountain Goats and as a novelist, will also address the legacy of the poet who died in 1972.
Suzanne Vega is a big name in the lineup: “It’s hard to keep on being good — at anything,” said Muldoon, admiringly referring to the long career of the American singer-songwriter, adding that she has a "new album with some great songs, including one called ‘Galway.'” Vega will be accompanied on stage by the Dublin-born, longtime New York-based guitarist Gerry Leonard as well as the Muldoon’s Picnic house band.
Muldoon said that he’s performed with all of Thursday’s guests before, some at previous picnics. Andrew Motion, the former UK poet laureate, he knows for 50 years or more. Mike Birbiglia is a good friend with whom he shares a birthday (June 20) and “a very distinguished comedian — ‘comedian’ seems a very bland word for him.” Indeed, Birbiglia is an actor, producer, Emmy-winning writer, critically-acclaimed film director and husband to J. Hope Stein, who will also perform at tomorrow’s event.
“It’s going to be quite a night, I think,” Muldoon said.
In an upcoming Echo, the County Armagh-born, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet will discuss the origin of the Muldoon’s Picnic idea, in its modern guise at least (there were two competing versions in old New York), and talk about the lineups for the editions to be held on Feb. 25, April 29 and May 19. For online and in-person tickets and more details, go to 92ny.org.
