Publisher's Synopsis
In the first major biography of Dylan since his own Chronicles Daniel Mark Epstein draws on in-depth interviews with musicians and artists from Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Woody Guthrie's daughter and archivist, Nora, and celebrated film-maker Donn Pennebaker to the musicians of the Never Ending Tour. The Ballad of Bob Dylan is a vivid portrait, nuanced and insightful, of the greatest songwriter of the twentieth-century. Bob Dylan's now legendary songs, from Blowin' in the Wind, Like A Rollin' Stone and Lay Lady Lay, have become classics, rooted, as they are, in the American musical tradition.Through first-hand accounts, reportage and a wealth of interviews with those who have known him for decades The Ballad of Bob Dylan is the most detailed picture yet of Dylan's prolific work. The author quotes extensively from Dylan's songs - a treat rarely granted, his fresh analysis of the lyrics is the foundation of this book.Beginning with Dylan's early concerts, to touring with the Grateful Dead where Dylan revived his career (under the influence of Jerry Garcia) to the recording of Time Out of Mind in 1997 and his 2009 tour, The Ballad of Bob Dylan is a perceptive and lyrical account of an artist who continues to inspire and connect with millions.Daniel Mark Epstein is a poet and biographer, who has previously written critically acclaimed biographies of Nat King Cole, Abraham Lincoln and Walt Whitman. He is a folk and blues guitarist who performed at coffee houses during the folk revival of the 1960's and he continues to perform, and write music, today. 'The Ballad of Bob Dylan' is a vivid portrait, nuanced and insightful, of the greatest songwriter of the 20th century. Bob Dylan's now legendary songs, from 'Blowin in the Wind', 'Like A Rollin Stone' and 'Lay Lady Lay', have become classics, rooted, as they are, in the American musical tradition. Dylan's songs sound as if they have been part of the folk music tradition for centuries The Ballad of Bob Dylan examines the influences behind his songs. Through a combination of first hand accounts, reportage and a wealth of interviews with those who have known Dylan for decades The Ballad of Bob Dylan is the fullest picture yet of Dylan's work in the studio. The Ballad of Bob Dylan is a vivid portrait, nuanced and insightful, of the greatest songwriter of the twentieth-century.
