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But for those looking for clues about interpreting the language he uses in the songs, there Dylan keeps the curtain closed.For those expecting prose similar to Dylan's earlier book "Tarantula," this book is folksy, direct, and clear in language, though seasoned with wit and turns of phrase that sound like they wandered into the book from a Dylan talking blues song. The ever-elusive Bob Dylan has written a wonderful book that is a delight to read, but as always with someone who sees the world through an artistic prism, it is wise to consider "Chronicles" as a version of the truth. No serious fan of Dylan can--or should want to--resist this book. The anecdotes are very entertaining; the voice is warm and genuine and kind and honest. But Dylan is understandably careful about what he reveals and how he tells it.For fans who are anxious to collect any tidbit, this book is a treasure chest full of insights, some of which are unexpected, such as his claim of simply desiring to raise a family. It's an immense pleasure to read.--Lawrence J. Epstein, author of Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob Dylan
Dylan knows what you want to hear, and how you want to hear it. Especially such a private one like Bob.You know how you thought this guy Dylan must think different than other people. There can't be too many books that allow such access into a genius's mind. So you're actually getting access to HIS PERCEPTIONS. Utterly fascinating.Bum around with the young kid in Greenwich Village in the early 60's. Really, he writes like he PERCEIVES.
Here you get a firsthand view into the disjointed and original "beginner's mind" of the best song-writer since David the Psalmster.Some Highlights:We get to see just how much reverence Dylan had for his folk heroes. 1 proves it. And he describes the reasons for his adulation better than anyone else can talk about folk music. You get to see how what rap was/is to so many black youth, that's what folk was to Dylan. "If my thought-dreamsCould be seenThey'd probablyPut my head in a guillotine"- "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)"Sooooooooo good. (This is kind of apparent if you listen to or watch Dylan performances in the 70's).He basically made up new chords, a simplified TEMPLATE, which he could pull all his songs through in order to play them live, with other people -- if I understood him correctly.And it's in sections like that where you get to see a lot of Dylan's thought-streams (thought dreams seen). That is really the gift of the book.
He tells you what books he was puling off the bookshelves of people whose apartments he was crashing at. He gives great personality profiles of those people. He took his wife and jumped on his motorcycle and took off to Baton Rouge IIRC (if I remember correctly). Well, Chronicles Vol. He doesn't follow traditional book-writing protocol, or grammar.
He exposes himself as an encyclopedic fan, but more than that his passion is transmitted.It is hilarious and amazing when Dylan goes into much detail about how when he was first playing with the Grateful Dead, he became hugely embarrassed because he didn't know how to play his own songs. And then in the midst of all that frustration, he came up with an entirely new way to play those same old songs. He writes like he talks, and like he thinks, I would guess. That is very personal and not something you'll find in such raw honesty most anywhere.
He paints strong images, the scene and vibe in New York when he was starting out performing, fame rolling in like a silent steamroller, and the energy spent to protect his family's private life, then later in his career, recording in New Orleans with Daniel Lanois. I "couldn't put it down". I listened to the audiobook version read by Sean Penn. Dylan comes across as a loving, imperfect person. Dylan's dedication to and love of music struck me right off. Serving the song. His writing is direct, subtle, poetic and descriptive. He illuminates aspects of his creative process and shares impressions of his journey while still leaving the reader some mystery.
Bob Dylan Chronicles Part 1 was used when I bought it. It was advertised as good or very good condition and this appears to be true (barring any missing pages of the last 60)
Bob jumps randomly around place and time. Mostly he describes places where he stayed. If further evidence is needed to back him up, it is in this book. Borrowings are rife.
We begin with Bob in New York in 1960: taking in the scene, laying the groundwork for his career. Bob Dylan has always insisted he is no guru or prophet. His account of the making of Oh Mercy exhausts all but the most diehard fan. Web searching will reveal many other borrowings. There is scant mention of his relations with the various people who helped him.
Don't mention the `p' word. One expects Bob might have given an assessment of his life and career. Just a guy who writes songs and sort of sings. `Summoned magic shadows into being' comes from Sax Rohmer's Return of Dr Fu-Manchu, and `the booming of war drums' from Jack London's The God of His Father. Then a jump to the late 60s, married with children.
His wife and kids remain shadowy figures in the background. The title of course comes from books of the Old Testament. His meanderings don't link up to form a main stream.
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