Subtitled "Allen Ginsberg Reads Kaddish A 20th Century American Ecstatic American Narrative Poem," this 1966 Atlantic release was recorded in front of a live audience at Brandeis University in Boston in 1964. Based on the traditional Hebrew mourning prayer ("kaddish"), this poem is dedicated to Ginsberg's mother Naomi, who died in 1956 in a mental hospital. Written in 1958 in one non-stop 40 hour marathon session fueled by dexedrine, a tiny hit of LSD 25, and many cups of coffee, "Kaddish" stands as an epic testament to Ginsberg's literary talent. Original artwork featuring the cover photo by Richard Avedon. Original liner notes by Ginsberg and new in-depth notes by noted Beat-era scholar and writer Harvey Kubernik.