Between the River and the Stars | Poetry by Tony Maude

Description

Publisher: ‎ Little Red Tree Publishing (24 Oct. 2013)
Language: ‎ English
Paperback: ‎ 170 pages
Dimensions: ‎ 17.81 x 0.91 x 25.4 cm

Dr. Peter Bennett from Hanover University aptly captures the essence of Tony Maude and this book:

“Tony Maude’s poems are the expressions of a travelling man, of a man who spends much time on the earthly roads of Ireland, Britain, and mainland Europe but also on the unearthly roads of the imagination. The voice is that of a sensitive observer, antennae tuned to catch the unusual, the unexpected, the magic in the people and places he encounters. He has a spontaneous feeling for natural things (a hill, a river, a season) and for natural people (an elderly lady or a small child). Indeed, the poetry often speaks with the whimsical, honest spirit of the child and, in doing so, shoots out sparks that have the power to re-ignite the same untrammeled spirit in the reader; or in the listener, for these poems really take off when spoken aloud and even more so when performed. As he himself declares in “Occupation,” Tony Maude is also a singer, a musician and an actor: other selves whose presence can be felt. The poems express no impatience to reach the destination, no urgency to achieve a goal. Showing an openness to the gifts of the moment, they spring from the journey itself and celebrate the fleeting, the not-to-be-possessed.”

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“To sum up, the book takes us on a fantastical poetic journey through the world of Tony Maude, enriched with jokes and drawings. The work of an unstinting scribbler and sketcher, filling notebook after notebook with observations, ideas, poetry and humour. The book is a journal of what goes on and insights into the same.”

I haven’t mentioned this before but knowing Tony, I find it hard to believe that he doesn’t yet have a proper book to his name. Imagine, therefore, my surprise when I was given a copy of the same at his gig in Premariacco (N.E. Italy). The book was brought out at more or less the end of 2012 by Little Red Tree, a small publisher in New London, Connecticut – the brain-child of creative spirit Michael John Linnard. He, together with David Hughes, has made two albums as an acoustic duo: Russell Square and Pieces on The Ground. Thereafter, in 2004 he formed The Modern Folk Quartet along with his wife Tamara. He moved to The States and, two years later, founded Little Red Tree Publishing. The book in question has a truly lovely cover – a swan on water under a starry sky, designed and put together with great flair. It begins with an introduction in which Tony tells of his life, from his childhood in India to, back in England, getting stuck into his raison d’être: poetry, music and storytelling.

The book is divided into various chapters: the first one “America” –as “a thank-you” to his publisher. Next comes “Kids, Cats and God’s Creatures (for those who know Tony, this is no surprise – he loves kids, cats …all God’s creatures)! Another chapter: “The Isle of Emerald, Ruby and Rainbows” is dedicated to Ireland, his second home and that of his partner Teresa. Thereafter, “Merrie England” in which that country is seen through poetic eyes. “The Road, The Show and The Music” with the caption: “Never so Happy as when Planning a Journey” is essential in shedding light on Maude’s gipsy soul. Then again “The Whole Business of Poetry” with insights into what we mean by “Poetry”. “Comedy Spot” leads to “This Dark World and Wide” with emphasis on the importance for poets of “casting a cold eye”. To sum up, the book takes us on a fantastical poetic journey through the world of Tony Maude, enriched with jokes and drawings. The work of an unstinting scribbler and sketcher, filling notebook after notebook with observations, ideas, poetry and humour. The book is a journal of what goes on and insights into the same. Finally, there is a glossary of names, characters and dates, relevant to the poet and the artist.

– Mauro Quai, “Late For The Sky” Italian Music Magazine

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