Bob Dylan Performing Artist I: The Early Years 1960-1973 [Paperback]

Paul Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1994

An in-depth analysis of Dylan's groudbreaking and often controversial work on stage and in the studio.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

There are endless debates among fans of Bob Dylan, but one thing many seem to agree upon is that no one writes about Dylan's performances better than Paul Williams. His style is analytical and wildly enthusiastic, and admittedly not for everyone. But those who delve into Dylan's work, especially the fanatics who are always seeking out live-concert tapes, will find his exuberant analysis of Dylan's onstage career riveting. This first book in the Bob Dylan Performing Artist series (a second volume, Bob Dylan Performing Artist 1974-1986: The Middle Years is also recommended) concentrates on Dylan's formative years, and of particular interest (especially now that Dylan's legendary 1966 Manchester, England, show has been officially released) is the critical analysis Williams gives to Dylan's mercurial and confrontational mid-'60s shows. Williams's infectious verve makes reading his Dylan books similar to watching baseball with a friend who really knows the game: your eyes are opened and you find yourself appreciating some brilliant nuances you hadn't been noticing before. --Robert McNamara

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Press (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711935548
• ISBN-13: 978-0711935549
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #955,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( D ) > Dylan, Bob

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What makes Bob Bob?, March 2, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bob Dylan Performing Artist I: The Early Years 1960-1973 (Paperback)

I read this book a few years ago, when I was starting to get really into Dylan's music, and by the time I finished the book, I had an even deeper appreciation for his music. Williams is better than anyone at describing and conveying Dylan's genius. Almost overflowing with enthusiasm, Williams reviews Dylan's earliest, most celebrated albums and concerts with an emphasis on Dylan's unique delivery of the material, rather than foculsing on his simply his words or politics, as many less perceptive writers tend to do. Reading the book makes you see Dylan not as the "voice of a generation" but more simply and accurately as the generation's most visionary artist and performer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Bob Dylan Book, February 20, 2006

By 

Jeffrey T. Heyck-Williams "Reader" (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bob Dylan Performing Artist I: The Early Years 1960-1973 (Paperback)

This is by far the best book / series of books I have ever read on Dylan. The main thesis of the book is that Dylan is more than anything else a performing artist. That is to say that his primary artistic contribution is in creating spontaneous art in the moment whether that is in a studio or on stage in front of a live audience. Within this framework, anyone coming to interpret and enjoy Dylan's work can build their understanding that the work should be judged not so much as great songs, but great performances of songs. Admittedly Dylan (particularly in recent years) is an aquired taste, but once you have that taste his work is infectious and you can't get enough of it. Thus you can appreciate each permutation of a song as a fresh expression of emotions, ideas, and being in the moment. Great stuff!