Lengthy Interview with Jon Webb Jr. with Charles Bukowski Transcripts: Chiron Review Autumn 2002

The Autumn 2002 issue of Chiron Review included a lengthy interview with Jon Webb Jr., as well as an interview Webb Jr. recorded with Bukowski, in 1961, and a transcript of a drunk recording Bukowski made by himself when Webb Jr. lent him his tape recorder for a night.

The interview was conducted by Jeff Weddle, who would go one to write “Bohemian New Orleans: The Story of the Outsider and Loujon Press”, the definitive history book on the press published in 2007 by University Press of Mississippi. This interview was likely research for the book and covers three full pages in small print.

Next up is an interview by Webb Jr. with Bukowski 1961. Bukowski comes across as sharp and mean to Webb Jr. I think I know what Bukowski is doing here. In an essay in the in Wormwood Review 45, a tribute to Jon Webb Sr. after his death, Bukowski wrote:

“Jon always meant to get at a man. He was under one of the false misconceptions that is so popular nowadays – get a man angry and he’ll really tell you what he is and what he has to say. Jon was always trying me but it led to nowhere.”

In my opinion, Bukowski is playing the reverse Uno aard here.

Finally, there’s a transcript of a drunk recording Bukowski of himself when Webb Jr. lent him his tape recorder for a night. It’s biographical, seemingly sideways throughout, and a real joy to read.

This copy has a fold, but remarkably no tears and minimal if any toning. There’s also no shipping label or postage. I guess I’d rate it Near Fine.

The issue is definitely woth the price of admission.

LouJon Press Background:
As it directly relates to Bukowski, Loujon Press was responsible for transforming Bukowski into an established writer, even if fame wouldn’t occur until years later. They published Bukowski’s first true books, “It Catches My Heart In Its Hands” (1963) and “Crucifix in a Deathhand” (1965). These books are true works of art in and of themselves. The detail, the printing methods, the craftsmanship, and the pure insanity it took to undertake these endeavors was as unparalleled then and as it is today.

They also published Outsider magazine, which became the standard for poetry journals at the time. No other publication attracted nearly the talent that appeared in its pages and the production value of the magazine itself was unrivaled. Bukowski appeared in all four issues, with a large collection of poems in Outsider 1 (1961) and as the named “Outside of the Year” in Outsider 3 (1963), featuring Bukowski on the cover and a large center section.

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