Zeno
12-29-2004, 12:10 AM
An old friend sent me this book for Christmas. I have mixed feelings about the book but overall it is worth getting and reading for anyone interested in Dylan, folk music, development of music concepts, the music scene, or music in general. Portions of the book are surprising and very well written. His style is unique in some respects, like his songs are, but it sometimes does wear thin. For example, a portion in the middle of the book is very detailed about some sessions in New Orleans etc that, for me, bogged down into a foggy cliché. The book is an enlightening read however, and I would recommend it to everyone.
An interesting anecdote from the book is about his receiving an Honorary Degree from Princeton. He makes some marvelous comments on this. He attended the ceremony with David Crosby who made his own quip about the whole thing when they finally left. Crosby summed it all up by saying: ‘ Bunch of dickheads on auto-stroke’. Sounds like a good title for a rock-a-billy song.
On another note here are some CD recommendations to go with my cryptic review:
‘The Blues From the Texas Byways to the Louisiana Bayou’, put out by American Roots Songbook. It features many Lightin’ Hopkins tunes along with Leadbelly, Charles Brown, Dr. John, and a great instrumental rock tune by Pee Wee Crayon called ‘Texas Hop’. It is a very good album and I got it for under $12.
Also check out ‘American Roots Music’ a single CD that is a compellation of ‘the best of’ a 4- CD box set about American music, that was put out in conjunction with a PBS special. Anyway, this is a great CD with many types of music styles presented, from Bluegrass to County Swing to Gospel, Cajun, Zydeco and so on.
The last one is Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around. Put out in 2002. Simply put – get it. It is well worth it: Unexpected and very well done.
All are available I’m sure from Amazon or a local record store. Do your own searching; I haven’t the time to do the footwork for you.
-Zeno
An interesting anecdote from the book is about his receiving an Honorary Degree from Princeton. He makes some marvelous comments on this. He attended the ceremony with David Crosby who made his own quip about the whole thing when they finally left. Crosby summed it all up by saying: ‘ Bunch of dickheads on auto-stroke’. Sounds like a good title for a rock-a-billy song.
On another note here are some CD recommendations to go with my cryptic review:
‘The Blues From the Texas Byways to the Louisiana Bayou’, put out by American Roots Songbook. It features many Lightin’ Hopkins tunes along with Leadbelly, Charles Brown, Dr. John, and a great instrumental rock tune by Pee Wee Crayon called ‘Texas Hop’. It is a very good album and I got it for under $12.
Also check out ‘American Roots Music’ a single CD that is a compellation of ‘the best of’ a 4- CD box set about American music, that was put out in conjunction with a PBS special. Anyway, this is a great CD with many types of music styles presented, from Bluegrass to County Swing to Gospel, Cajun, Zydeco and so on.
The last one is Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around. Put out in 2002. Simply put – get it. It is well worth it: Unexpected and very well done.
All are available I’m sure from Amazon or a local record store. Do your own searching; I haven’t the time to do the footwork for you.
-Zeno