Our current winner of the Salford Star Best Performer Award, Tony Kinsella, is back with his second book of poems. Tony is great writer and live performer; he fuses surreal comedy and with sharp, insightful poetry, and has been busy in recent years with live shows dedicated to some of his favourite musicians.
He has skilfully delivered irreverent, comedy lectures on his love for The Undertones, and sixties girl-group The Shangri-Las. Alongside these excellent shows, Tony also performs with Bard Company, whose gigs have quickly become must-see events with each member delivering a set before culminating the show with their unique 'pop group'.
With live events on-hold, Tony has used his downtime to create a collection of new poems. The title poem Vladimir Putin Is In My Kettle takes a humorous look at conspiracy paranoia after the poet finds a blemish with an uncanny resemblance to the Russian leader. Soon he believes he is being monitored by a whole host of historical figures, politicians and philosophers appearing all over Salford.
The shorter pieces have a love for wordplay and subversion that is reminiscent of the late, great Hovis Presley. While the book contains a varied selection of witty poems, Tony was also keen to address the political climate..."There are plenty of funny, silly and satirical poems but I think I must have gone through a more angry and vitriolic period" he says.
"The second book has really enraged rants against racism in football, homelessness and poverty and other social injustice" he adds "There are also a few very personal ones including a tribute to my two sons. Something for everyone apart from Tories, UKIP supporters or Tommy Robinson advocates".
The frequent laughs are juxtaposed against the powerful political pieces. Kick It Out is a no-holds-barred poem that details footballs' ugly relationship with racism: 'Why are we having this fucking debate? Why should ethnicity lead to hate...'
The recent behaviour of Morrissey is also documented in the collection, with the singer's bizarre opinions coming under the microscope in Mozza Never Buys the Guardian. Tony deftly pays allusion to John Cooper Clarke whilst referencing moments from the Smiths/Moz back-catalogue to voice his distaste, 'Caligula would blush to see what he'd do for fame'.
The changing face of Salford is highlighted in the collection with Counting Cranes, questioning the received wisdom that construction work must mean that the city is progressing. Tony dismisses the 'McAlpine peaks' to draw attention to poorly equipped tower blocks, uninterested politicians, food banks and the shuttered shops of forgotten areas.
With live events still on pause, Tony will be launching with the book with a Zoom gig on his birthday - Wednesday September 30th. You can join him for birthday drinks, poems, social chat and a brilliant musical guest in Jess Silk.
Vladimir Putin Is In My Kettle is an entertaining collection of poetry that is humorous and right on the zeitgeist. Well worth purchasing comrades...
To buy the book message Tony Kinsella via Facebook or email...
tony.kinsella61@gmail.com
£6 plus £2 postage
Words by Ian Leslie
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