Amethyst Rock Star. (poetry reviews).

Amethyst Rock Star by Saul Williams American Recordings, May 2001, $17.97 ASIN B-000-05QKB-M

A master of metaphor, poet Saul Williams has extended his reach, and thus the reach of poetry, to Hollywood and the music industry. Amethyst Rock Star, Saul's latest CD, retains his powerful, lyrical verse, but his attempt to blend poetry with music sometimes falls short. Williams's words often clash with the music--and rarely are the two in sync. Ultimately, the music prevails at the expense of poetry.

Amethyst Rock does not trade in the politically conscious lyrics that assail us to be self-sufficient. Nor is it the poetic blend that compels us to look in the mirror and question our own reckless, self-deprecating behavior. In the end, what you hear is the heavy rock influenced guitar and hip-hop drum beats.

If Williams were not the poet he is, and a great one at that, then perhaps you could brush aside the heavy-handed music. However, this attempt to appeal to a younger, hip-hop crowd, although well meaning, compromises what Williams does best, which is poetry. Ironically, even Williams seems aware of that fact, as he states in the fifth selection, "Fearless," "I am no musician ... I am a poet."

While the Last Poets were the ultimate masters of blending poetry with music, rarely did it ever overwhelm their verse. Williams comes close to that balance in only a few pieces: "1987" and "Our Father."

Strangely enough, Saul sums up the problems with Amethyst in his verse: "3 dead chickens, 2 dead emcees, and countless wasted minds ... I love hip hop like I love my mother, but wouldn't bring most of you emcees home for dinner?

--Michael Williams recently published his first book of love poems entitled Full Body Massage.