Topic: Howard 'Louie Bluie' Armstrong's Pornographic Book

[CF]

Thanks to Frankie for introducing me to Zwigoff's film & this fascinating musician at the 'Interesting Youtube Videos' thread . I have to say I was floored by this film. Armstrong has to be the most eccentric & interesting character to have come out of the pre-war scene. What a talented, intelligent individual!
When he pulled out his 'Whore House Bible' for 'Banjo' Ikey Robinson I almost pooped my pants . . . . I'm a long-time admirer & student of the 18th-19th century British poet, graphic-artist & visionary William Blake. Blake did not publish much of his work in conventional form. He in fact made his own books in his basement where graphic art & poetry were married on the same page (see an example here)

http://www.brown.edu/Research/dichtung-digital/2003/parisconnection/blake.jpg

Armstrong did the same thing! Mind you a little more perverted, ha ha, but no less interesting.
Where is this book, does anyone know? & Armstrong's style bears a close resemblence to Robert Crumb's: did they know of each other? This is the kind of thing that some wealthy patron should print in a luxurious limited facsimile edition. Any information regarding this book would be most appreciated. Here's a link to the particular part of the movie where Armstrong is showing/explaining the book (He also reads from it later in the movie)



BTW: we're all adults here I believe . . . but if not be warned: this is Adult material . . .

[Chezztone]

Hey, never mind the luxury version -- let's see a regular mass-printed edition for us po' folks. What a terrific book, and what a tantalizing little glimpse at it in the movie. Thanks! SC

[CF]

Hey, never mind the luxury version -- let's see a regular mass-printed edition for us po' folks.

Ha, agreed! But to do the book justice it would probably have to be a luxury item just by following the original specs. Probably a mass audience wouldn't be buying this book either . . .

[frankie]

Howard Armstrong on the psychological effects of the Whorehouse Bible:

"It'll make a weak-minded fool go crazy!"

cf - check yer inbox...

[SCWV]

Thought Zwigoff's film was brilliant -- Watched it twice.  Was depressed in how old 1985AD seemed.  Didn't seem like that long ago.

Actually, comparing Louie Bluie to William Blake is less of a stretch to Nick Tosches trying to link together Jimmie Rodgers & Ezra Pound in his "Where Dead Voices Gather".

Actually, kind of freaked out that Armstrong used a different type of ink almost every sentence like Blake, & his drawings were kind of like cross between Blakes & that of R. Crumb's.

[poymando]

Man, I was curious about this too. I'd love to know more about the book (or any other writing/art) and if it survives.

[CF]

I find it compelling the similarities between Armstrong's book & Blake's books as well. It may be Armstrong was aware of Blake, it may also just be sweet coincidence. Blake was schooled in etching as a means of employment but otherwise he was an auto-didact, self-taught to read & write & etc. I'm forgetting Armstrong's schooling details at the moment. Blake's christianity is the height of unorthodoxy & irony ('Angels' represent commonality & oppressive law whereas 'Devils' were inspired, fiery & more truely spiritual) and Armstrong's opinions of orthodox christianity were extremely negative:

'I'm a heathen, shit! I can give my money to a whore quicker than give it to the damn preacher . . . what am I going to give it to them for? Preacher's a regular legalized pimp! He start talking about Hell & Damnation, looking right dead in a sister's drawers.
A lot of people didn't care too much about Jesus 'cause he was too humble & neat. Who in the **** cares about somebody nodding his damn head when a guy's getting ready to kick his ass?'

Blake would have found this very insulting but they share a hatred for hypocrasy in religion. Strange soul brothers of different races & generations. Hmm, there's a term paper in here somewhere 

I've left a message on the Terry Zwigoff board at IMDB. Don't know any other way to reach him regarding the book.

[Flatd7]

Where is this book, does anyone know?

I understand that Zwigoff has the book.

[Mr.OMuck]

That's what I've heard too.

[Temple]

I like that photo of Howard!