Customer Reviews

Bob Dylan: Lyrics, 1962-1985- Includes All of Writings and Drawings

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The cover of this book is not the most inviting, but please don't let that fool you. Lyrics, 1962-1985 by Bob Dylan is a must-have for anyone in love with this man's work. When I bought my first copy of this book, I was far from being a Dylan fan. I simply wanted it for the poetry. While I didn't much care for his music, I always enjoyed Dylan's prose. This was quite a few years ago, and since, I have come to appreciate his music as much as his words. This has to be the most comprehensive book consisting of the art of Bob Dylan. It includes not only almost every published lyric from his vast repertoire, but many of his drawings, which, until the original publication of this book, probably never saw a proper forum for display to the public. Craig Grossman, Minneapolis, Minnesota

This book, or rather, this archive of intellect, is the most beautiful work of art that I possess. I've avidly listened to Dylan's songs since I was very young, but reading it as poetry, was even more enlightening. This gives Bob Dylan an entirely new aspect. I've shown it to many other people who have only heard his most popular songs, and to say that they were enthralled and pleasantly surprised is an understatement.

This book is incredible. If you own more than one Bob Dylan CD, you should rush out to buy this book. Why? Simply put it gives you the words, clearly and plainly. When you put that together with the music, its as if another world has opened up to you.

Plus, this book is put together in a really nice way. Not only does it have all the lyrics, but it has lyrics to songs that maybe the diehard fan has heard on bootleg or live or on albums like biograph. It takes these gems and tells you which recording session they were a part of, which is really nice to know.

The only book that inspires me. Such simplicity and yet so powerful

If you are looking for the best lyrics in the universe - something to cheer you up - you've just found the right book! The reason why his majesty, Mr. Tambourine Man will be greatest rock poet for ever is whole in this book. Something every rock lover must have. I give it 10 stars.

A friend and I were out shopping a few weeks ago and we both picked up Bob Dylan's "No Direction Home: The Soundtrack" CD, which is the 7th volume in Dylan's archival Bootleg Series, and also the soundtrack for Martin Scorsese's excellent PBS documentary of the same title. The album is outstanding and now that my shopping pal's birthday is coming up, Halloween actually, I decided that Dylan's "Lyrics, 1962-1985" would be a near perfect gift. She is a major Dylan fan, as am I, and we have been for almost forty years. Time flies!

One of the deciding factors for making this purchase is that the hardcover volume edition makes an excellent, elegant presentation. The cover is laminated and each poem is printed singly on large, cream-stock pages with colored headers. Arranged by album, the book is a compilation of all of Dylan's writings and drawings, ('62 - '85), some wonderful pen sketches ranging in topic from roadside scenes to the romantic, plus 120 new compositions and an Index of song titles. "Lyrics, 1962-1985" is an extraordinary celebration of the artist's/composer's work.

"Highway 61 Revisited," "Blonde on Blonde," Tangled Up In Blue," "Masters of War," "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," "With God On Our Side," "It Ain't Me Babe," "My Back Pages," "Subterranean Homesick Blues," "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again," "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You," "This Wheel's On Fire," "Shelter From The Storm," etc., and hundreds of others - they're all here! Dylan's liner notes and stream-of-consciousness short prose pieces really enhance the text.

Bob Dylan is a songwriter, musician and poet - an artistic genius and innovator whose tremendous body of work has had a major impact on over 40 years of American music, from the oldest anonymous folk ballads through blues and country into rock-and-roll. He expanded popular music by including politics, social commentary and philosophy into its vocabulary. He told more folks what was happening than the politicians and news reporters combined...and the counterculture loved him! We still do! While exploring and creating musical styles, Dylan did remain true to his roots in traditional American song.

I am so sorry that the book is out of print. Fortunately, I was able to purchase it, "New," from an Amazon marketplace seller at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended!
JANA

Yes, just a few words to say that this book is a must for any Bob Dylan fan. This is the first book you have to buy. Listening to all his great songs with the printed lyrics will change your life! Really a must!

I love this book. Dylan's output covering a 23-year span is right there in front of you. Whether you read the lyrics as they are or read while listening, any Dylan fan will soak up this wonderful book.

Interestingly enough, I have loaned this book to people who can't stand Dylan, but appreciate him as a writer. Their appreciation for the man and his talent always increases as a result. Sometimes this leads them to buy the discs, and they're forever hooked.

As much as I love the book, it is badly in need of an new edition covering Dylan's work since 1985, which includes at least 12 discs worth of work. But taken as it is, this book is priceless. Buy it.

This book is really a wonderful collection of the amazing songs that Dylan wrote in his first two decades. If you are interested in Dylan or poetry this book is really worth buying. It is sturdy and also elegant and each of the words on the pages pours forth like burning coals.

I recently sent my Mother-in-law a copy of 'The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas'. She was taken by Gertrude Stein's access to Picasso, saying, "Oh, how wonderful it must have been to be present when a genius created art!" I gave her a copy of this book, and some Dylan Cds and said, "Here is a living genius you can experience first hand with each new work of art!!!"