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

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: red grenadine the bottle, black muddy river, gonna wave, Amagamalin Street, Promontory Rider, Mesa Linda (more...)

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 Description

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.

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.com Sales Rank: #594,586 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	George Schaefer (Croydon, PA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

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 (The Fillmore) - See all my reviews

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!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greates American poet of the 20th century, June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This book is a must have for any hard core Dead head