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richardwells's review
5.0
Oh dear, I'm rereading books unremembered. I had originally given this a three star rating, but I'm upping it to five.
Greil Marcus is the Herman Melville of music writers, and Dylan is his whale. Set him on his subject and he'll examine it in the context of all western civilization. His writing is amusing in the best way of "providing interesting and enjoyable occupation," and there seem to be no limits to his curiosity or erudition. (Marcus had the nerve to co-author A New Literary History of America. Another interesting read and - what chutzpah.) And, as with his other Dylan books, "who knew you could wrap so much around a song?"
This is the story of the writing, recording, and context of "Like a Rolling Stone," considered by some (a Rolling Stone magazine poll of readers) to be the #1 American song of all time. The book is fascinating right down to the end notes of Works Cited.
Interested in song-writing, the recording process, Dylan, or America's on-going cultural hiccoughs and storms, this is a worthwhile read.
Greil Marcus is the Herman Melville of music writers, and Dylan is his whale. Set him on his subject and he'll examine it in the context of all western civilization. His writing is amusing in the best way of "providing interesting and enjoyable occupation," and there seem to be no limits to his curiosity or erudition. (Marcus had the nerve to co-author A New Literary History of America. Another interesting read and - what chutzpah.) And, as with his other Dylan books, "who knew you could wrap so much around a song?"
This is the story of the writing, recording, and context of "Like a Rolling Stone," considered by some (a Rolling Stone magazine poll of readers) to be the #1 American song of all time. The book is fascinating right down to the end notes of Works Cited.
Interested in song-writing, the recording process, Dylan, or America's on-going cultural hiccoughs and storms, this is a worthwhile read.
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