Bob Dylan is an icon in music of an almost undefinable genre--an exquisite mix of real-life, tell-it-like-it-is lyrics, driving
melody, and instrumental virtuosity. Mr. Dylan has spanned the generations of music fans, seemingly effortlessly, while obtaining a fame of such phenomenal stature. In
Chronicles, Dylan tells, in prose that reads like a friendly conversation, of the adventure of starting life in the quiet solitude of the "boondocks" and ending up at the height of stardom--whether he wanted it or not. The reader soon learns, like his life-long mentor, Woody Guthrie, Mr. Dylan welcomed the opportunities to entertain audiences with his soulful storytelling. However, the price of fame would come at quite a cost.
In his
autobiography, he tells of his childhood, growing up in small-town Hibbing, Minnesota. He tells of the fear of the Cold War nuclear attack from the Russians, hiding under his desk at school. But his generation cared more about the escape provided by action movies starring John Wayne, marshmallow guns, and of course...music. Dylan talks in length of his musical heroes--old bluesmen like John Lee Hooker, and of course, folk legends like Harry Belafonte. Dylan casually mentions meeting some of these musical masters later in life, after reaching a similar level of stardom, yet reading his autobiography, one still senses the tone of wanderlust and boyish admiration in Dylan's tone. Chronicles reads like a long lost friend casually telling you of his adventures after returning from some long journey. It's easy to get lost in and difficult to put down. It's not merely a story of rags-to-riches. To call it such would be to undermine it's importance. It's more a story of lifelong adventure and discovery.
Dylan chronicles his journey from the quiet, blue-collar tranquility of the midwest to the bustling clamor and revelry of New York City. He follows in the footsteps of some of the musical masters he grew up listening to. Stopping off in the Twin Cities--St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota--Dylan decides to follow his great mentor, the ailing Woody Guthrie, to New York. His idea was to sign Woody's songs, with no intention of making it big--perhaps just to pay homage to his hero, carry the flame, and keep alive the tradition of musical storytelling which Guthrie had done so naturally and soulfully.
Dylan talks of love, love lost, inventing and re-inventing himself. Discovery. Chronicles follows the young, solitary man from his first days in the big city of New York, playing at coffee shops, passing around a basket for tips. Living in a tiny studio apartment with meager furniture he handmade himself. The story sees Dylan grow with a family, a vast repertoire of songs and musical experiences. He hits the "big time," and quickly learns of the downfalls of showbiz.
Too many clingers-on, dropouts, and deadbeats had mistaken Dylan's words for those of some musical prophet, come from some outer realm to lead the revolution against conformity and government persecution. Dylan wanted to play his music. He talks of seeking refuge in upstate New York, in the quiet woodsy setting of Woodstock. The hordes of fans at that point had grown relentless and tracked him down--invading his home and causing much distress to the solitary singer, seeking some peace and quiet with his beloved family. Eventually, Dylan seems to see it all as a learning experience which made him wiser, if not, a bit weary of things.
The Chronicles-Volume 1, is an intimate look into the life of one of music's most beloved, soulful storytellers. Bob Dylan uses his finely-honed, lyrical mastery to write his story in a very conversational tone, yet links his memories in a way that keeps the reader riveted. Each memory connects to the next, and the story reads like a novel.
The Chronicles-Volume 1, gives a revealing look into the soul of one of the world's master songwriters and storytellers.