Bob Dylan: The Essential Interviews

To see the whole of the man in his words, you might come no closer than this.

Much of Bob Dylan's work is mysterious, but the man lurking behind this famous alias even more so? "Dylan on Dylan" might be as close as we can get to understanding something of what makes this great artist tick, until Bob completes Chronicles, which is obstensibly his autobiography. I think it fair to say that there is a public perception of Bob Dylan as aloof, perhaps even surly at times, but this collection of interviews and some short articles should deepen our appreciation of him. At times he is outrageously funny, insightful, direct and honest. You get the sense of Bob Dylan as the self made artist, uncomfortable with the conformity of institutional learning, and who eschews the over categorizing of his work. He demonstrates a satisfaction with his accomplishments, but seems not to be preoccupied with them. He seems to have been downright uncomfortable with his fame at times, particularly the Woodstock period when so-called fans refused to respect his need for privacy. His humility is palpable throughout, and he comes across as an artist engaged in a process of continual growth and renewal. These interviews are as profoundly interesting as his catalogue of amazing music. A lot of the credit belongs, of course, to the brilliant line up of interviewers, each of whom were able to draw something special out of Bob. "Dylan on Dylan" will, I predict, become a classic of the genre.

Jonathan Cott has written sixteen books including others on Dylan and both rock and classical musicians: his depth and experience is perfect for BOB DYLAN: THE ESSENTIAL INTERVIEWS, a compilation of interviews following Dylan from the early sixties to today. There are over thirty such interviews gathered here which when taken as a unit provide a smooth historical and psychological progression you won't find in the many Dylan biographies on the market. Also included are all six major interviews Rolling Stone Magazine conducted with Dylan, including Cott's own interview. This is no light overview as many Dylan titles offer, but an in-depth account of his life, perspective and art which is a recommended 'must' for any authoritative Dylan collection - even those already stuffed with books. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

This book is one of the best Dylan books that I've read. It begins with interviews in the early 60's when Dylan had just started to get noticed in the music world/folk scene, and they continue chronologically until 2004. The interviews give the reader a look at the emotions and thoughts of Bob Dylan through the eyes of many different reporters. However, most of the interviews are verbatim dialogue between Bob and the reporter. Bob starts out as an enthusiastic young man in the recording studio talking about his music and his tours. You begin to notice a shift in his thoughts in the mid to late 70's. He describes the making of his movie "Renaldo and Clara" and his thoughts seem unclear. However, it may simply be a look inside the mind of a genius. In addition, there are several interviews that discuss his conversion to Christianity. He seems obsessed with his new found religion. This phase quickly passes and the reader will begin to notice a shift to a more rational, thoughtful Bob Dylan. He begins to talk about his music and family (son, Jakob). Bob seems more sure of himself,his music, and his career in the late 90's and beyond. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!!

I learned more about Bob Dylan and his music in reading these interviews than I ever did from either his several biographies or "analyses" of his work. VM Riccardi

Bob Dylan may be one of the most loquacious enigmas of all time. As lovingly presented here by Jonathon Cott, Dylan goes on and on and on to all sorts of interviewers, sometime comedian, sometime huckster, sometime philosoher, sometime preacher, but always fascinating.