Book Review: Bob Dylan: Lyrics- a Master Songwriter's Catalogue

Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan: Lyrics, 1962-2001, (Simon and Schuster, 2004),610 pages, music, $45.00 U.S./ $65.00 Canada

This whopper of a book took me some time read. Spanning 39 years of songwriting by one of the greatest in history, it is a wonder of a book. Honestly, why don't they publish other songwriters in this way?

The book's size makes it a little unwieldy. But it is worth the occasional wrestlings in the end. It provides a rare opportunity to study Dylan's whole career and come to understand his work better as a result. Because the lyrics included here were originally songs, they lack some of the luster of the recorded performances. Many of the songs use the same or similar forms with similar meter and rhyme-schemes. This makes a long sitting with the book begin to feel hypnotic and dronish. However, if one approaches the readings in smaller increments, one can focus on individual lines, etc. Only then does one begin to understand what made Dylan the by-word in folk music and songwriting.

To give some organisation to the book, it appears to be divided according to albums. There is an index of copyrights in the back. Also included are several photographs iconic of Dylan to correspond to each album. In some cases, earlier versions and evolutions of songs are provided.

I would suggest that similar publications be released on the Beatles, maybe Fleetwood Mac, or Led Zeppelin. Insert your favorite musicians/songwriters here. Such resources would be invaluable to students of music, and cherished by fans.