A Box of Rain: Lyrics: 1965-1993 (Poets, Penguin) [Paperback]

Robert Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Series: Poets, Penguin | Publication Date: November 1, 1993

A collection of over 250 classic songs by the main lyricist for the Grateful Dead--with a new introduction and over 20 additional songs, including from the Dead's next album. Hunter also explains the sources of certain songs and describes the evolution of others over years of performance. Complete discography.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Premier lyricist for the Grateful Dead, Hunter has also had his material recorded by the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Jefferson Starship, Bob Dylan, and Grateful Dead guru Jerry Garcia in his solo work. In this hefty volume, he presents the faithful with all his lyrical work to date. Save for a short preface, the contents page, the discography at the end, and an occasional sentence or two regarding the background of certain pieces, the book is totally composed of his prodigious output in alphabetical order. Varied in mood and content, it is a decent poetic tour of the "hippie years" that the artists mentioned above defined so well--pro vided one already has a feel for that era. Comprehensive music collections will want, but more general collections can consider this a marginal purchase.
- David M. Turkalo, Social Law Lib., Boston
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Rep Sub edition (November 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140134514
• ISBN-13: 978-0140134513
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #661,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bay Area Psychedelic Poesie, October 23, 1999

By 

George Schaefer - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Box of Rain: Lyrics: 1965-1993 (Poets, Penguin) (Paperback)

I have to admit to a great deal of personal bias here because I am a lifelong DeadHead. So it stands to reason that my opinions towards Hunter may be a bit coloured and clouded. (Pun possibly intended.) But this is a wonderful collection of lyrics. Hunter is a true poet whose song lyrics deserve to live and breathe in printed form. I always felt there was a poetry to rock lyrics: Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Jim Morrison, Richard Hell et al. Robert Hunter also deserves to be recognized on that list of Rock Poet Laureates. Beautiful lyrics like Box Of Rain and Ripple take on a new life when read from the page. It gives one the chance to see how good the use of language actually was. Terrapin is a tour de force epic of Rock poetry and almost everything from American Beauty and Workingmans Dead ring out as great poetry. While there is some average, weaker material as well, this gives Hunter a chance to earn acknowledgment for the fine poet that he is. The Grateful Dead would never have achieved their legendary status without the mystical, magical lyric ability of Robert Hunter. This book is a treasure trove that deserves a place next to the Dylan lyric book from 62-85 and the collection of lyrics put out by Lou Reed as well.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'If My Words Did Glow With The Gold Of Sunshine........, July 29, 2001

By 

Bruce Crocker "agnostictrickster" (Whittier, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Box of Rain: Lyrics: 1965-1993 (Poets, Penguin) (Paperback)

...and my tunes were played on the harp unstrung would you hear my voice come through the music would you hold it near as it were your own?' Part of the experience of a Grateful Dead concert (and now The Other Ones, Ratdog, Phil Lesh and friends, and Mickey Hart's band) was listening to the words of Robert Hunter dance and twirl in your head. Hunter probably isn't the greatest American poet of the second half of the 20th Century, but he does know how to turn a phrase, borrow a line, and mix a metaphor. And his strange mix of phrases went well with the strange mix of American music written by the late Jerry Garcia. Box Of Rain is a must reference for anyone interested in the lyrical end of rock and roll. The book will clear up many an on going debate on just what Jerry was singing all those nights so long ago. And for all those people who can't understand why the Grateful Dead was so successful, this book will let you in on part of the secret. 'If you get confused, just listen to the music play....'

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TRULY A REMARKABLE RETROSPECTIVE FROM AN AMAZING CAREER! A++, January 28, 2000

By 

Drew Hill (Franklin's Tower) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Box of Rain: Lyrics: 1965-1993 (Poets, Penguin) (Paperback)

WOW! This is an amazing book featuring the lyrics of Robert Hunter (primary lyricist of the Grateful Dead). Helps with those totally un-understandable (is this even a word?) lyrics but more importantly is a reflection on a remarkable career including personal notes and non-Dead songs. Hunter's work s truly wonderful & I would even be willing to bet non-DeadHeads would enjoy this book for its poetic values. Peace & of course...ENJOY!