Scan barcode
devito34's review against another edition
4.0
A really great history of the early folk scene in New York in the late '50s and early '60s. I read this with my Spotify open so every time Van Ronk mentioned a song I would play it instantly.
richardwells's review against another edition
3.0
If your roots lead anywhere near the Village folk scene in NYC, then you've heard Van Ronk, and know he was a major influence to the assembled (and dis-assembled) folkies. He was a rambling, shambling story teller, and much of this book is not news, but it's a great read in his own voice. Dave Van Ronk smoked himself to death, but the music goes on and on...
tome15's review against another edition
5.0
This is the memoir that inspired the rather lackluster movie inside Lewin Davis. But don't hold that against It. It is a fascinating look at the folk scene in the late 50s and early 60s from a man whose wit is almost as good as his music. I really enjoyed this book.
medievaloracle's review against another edition
4.0
This book took three times as long to read because I kept stopping to look up musicians and listen to songs that were mentioned. Well worth the read.
nickburkaotm's review
5.0
Loved it. Lovingly recorded and written down by Van Ronk and Elijah Wald. Van Ronk was known to be a prolific storyteller, and reading this book it feels as if he's telling you these stories you're sitting in his living room. A must-read for any fan of the recent folk/americana scene.
brendcurran's review against another edition
3.0
Well, it turns out the book isn't always better than the movie, even in cases where the book is only loosely adapted. I'm referring of course to Inside Llewyn Davis, the excellent Coen Brothers film, which draws upon themes and ancedotes in this autobiography.
In the author's defense, this is an incomplete work, interrupted by his death. This explains the somewhat scattered structure of the book, which drifts among topics ranging from the musician's political beginnings, the Greenwich Village folk scene, his own personal escapades, and, of course, Dylan. Even with this exemption, though, Van Ronk's voice doesn't really compel. When he tries to be funny, it's somewhat reminiscent of someone's corny uncle telling a joke where the punchline is visible from miles away.
The most interesting parts of the book were unfortunately spoiled by the film, and quite frankly, executed in a richer manner on screen. Llewyn Davis's bitterness is palpable here, albeit in a more muted form, but that actually ends up being a disservice to the tale. Of course, it's easier to play with narrative when you can take liberties with the truth, so perhaps the author deserves a little bit of a pass.
Another wise choice the filmmakers made, in contrast to the author, was to hint at Dylan, rather than dedicating a large portion of the narrative to him, as Van Ronk does. Dylan of course is a monumental figure, and is hard to avoid, but many great books have been written solely about him. He's a deserving subject on his own, and I would have appreciated more of a focus on the author's own artistry (and I say that as someone who rarely calls for less Dylan in my life!)
It's too bad we didn't get the ambitious final project from Van Ronk, which was apparently a compendium of the history of folk music. That ambitious project surely would have been a more relevant read.
In the author's defense, this is an incomplete work, interrupted by his death. This explains the somewhat scattered structure of the book, which drifts among topics ranging from the musician's political beginnings, the Greenwich Village folk scene, his own personal escapades, and, of course, Dylan. Even with this exemption, though, Van Ronk's voice doesn't really compel. When he tries to be funny, it's somewhat reminiscent of someone's corny uncle telling a joke where the punchline is visible from miles away.
The most interesting parts of the book were unfortunately spoiled by the film, and quite frankly, executed in a richer manner on screen. Llewyn Davis's bitterness is palpable here, albeit in a more muted form, but that actually ends up being a disservice to the tale. Of course, it's easier to play with narrative when you can take liberties with the truth, so perhaps the author deserves a little bit of a pass.
Another wise choice the filmmakers made, in contrast to the author, was to hint at Dylan, rather than dedicating a large portion of the narrative to him, as Van Ronk does. Dylan of course is a monumental figure, and is hard to avoid, but many great books have been written solely about him. He's a deserving subject on his own, and I would have appreciated more of a focus on the author's own artistry (and I say that as someone who rarely calls for less Dylan in my life!)
It's too bad we didn't get the ambitious final project from Van Ronk, which was apparently a compendium of the history of folk music. That ambitious project surely would have been a more relevant read.
johnday's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. What a great read. Wish I'd listened to more of his music in the past, but I do now.
More...