Chronicles: 1 (Paperback)

Bob Dylan is from Hibble, Minnesota. We all knew that, but not of his life as a child and teenager learning to sing and that of his family. He opens his Chronicle with his arrival in New York City in 1964. He tells us of his journey to NYC, and the people he meets and greets. The people who helped him get started, the people he lives with, loves with and sings with. His trials and tribulations as a young singer in the throes of "folk" songs. He tells us how he came to his writing style, who helped to direct him, and who he admired and trusted. He describes how he came to be able to write such lyrics. He used to go to the library as a child and read classics, and he continued that in NYC in a friend's large library. His vocabulary and intellect grew as a result. He hung around the right and wrong people, he learned as he observed. He got his first chance to sing in small club, and met the person who would help him with his first record deal.

Bob Dylan had quite a reputation as a man on the edge, helping to fight the battles for justice and the American Way. That was all wrong, all hype, all PR.
He believed in justice and the American Way, but he was not on the fore front fighting for it. He wanted the reverse; to be left alone, to live his life and to write and sing. All the publicity drew strange and unattractive people to him- they broke into his home, found him wherever he was and bothered him and his family. He felt unsafe as Bob Dylan. He hated that life.
He learned to rent a house under an assumed name and to become undistinguished. He was able to travel and to be himself, somewhat. He married, had 5 children that he dearly loved. He helped to raise them, changed their diapers, loved them, gave them toys, brought them to the beach, picnics; ordinary. everyday stuff. Bob Dylan would have us believe that he is an ordinary man; well, ok, he is in some way. But he is also a troubadour, singing the words and tunes that we all love. He has been everywhere. He tells of us his time in New Orleans; the city he loves the most. Trying to get a record together and what he learned about himself and the songs he wrote. He tells of us his dinner with Bono, of U2, and how they drank a case of Irish ale, and what they learned from each other. He tells us how he admires Ice-T and Frank Sinatra, Jr. But most of all we learn a little about how Bob Dylan is as a man. Much to be admired and respected, but then, only a man. Highly recommended. prisrob

If like me, you have spent years reading about the early sixties scene in Greenwich Village, and wondered what it was like, what did it feel like to be there, what was going through Dylan's mind etc. - you need to read this. And if you would like an insight into how he came to record the albums Oh Mercy (where did he drag up the inspiration from after all those years ?) and New Morning (a radical departure - but what was he thinking of ?) you will never get a better opportunity than this.

At times there is a slightly hurried feeling to the book - and the prose is never going to rival Oscar Wilde, but there is an immediacy to it, and although you wonder from time to time if Bob is hiding a thing or two (at least - I did), you never doubt the honesty of his style. He is definitely being true to himself.

This may be a book for enthusiasts only - but if you are one you should get out and read the book - before you finally realise that there's no room for regret.