Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited

Over the years, Bob Dylan's life and musical career have given rise to a minor cottage industry of criticism and profiling that has produced a number of books and essays, many of which seem to emphasize the interpretations and perceptions of their authors more than the real life accomplishments of the man himself. Mark Polizzotti's HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED is a refreshing antidote to these often misguided efforts. Thoroughly researched and written in an economical but strongly engaging style, Polizzotti's book (part of Continuum's 33 and 1/3 series of compact volumes focusing on historically significant albums) takes into account the many personal, musical, and cultural elements that contributed to the making of HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED during the summer of 1965. Like a Rolling Stone is the first cut on the HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED album and although Polizzotti recognizes its transcendent power and the fact that it brought attention to the lp, he covers the remaining tracks with a respectful attention to detail. He addresses some of the disputes about the songs' meanings and the ways in which the recording process affected their sound, but does not digress into personal, literary musings or self serving pronouncements. Polizzotti does an excellent job of telling the 'story' of one of Dylan's greatest albums. Mark Polizzotti's work in bringing forth an exceptionally readable book on a singular album issued during the watershed period that some called the 'folk rock revolution' is an important contribution to the understanding of popular music and Bob Dylan's role in changing it

A brilliant exegesis of Bobby Diesel's dopest classic. The balance of primary research, secondary research, and opinion/analysis is flawless, the writing a thing of beauty in and of itself. Amazing that I ordered it used and received it earlier than expected--exactly on the day that Dylan won the Nobel. Needless to say, I started reading it that very day, and I plan to re-read it sooner than later. A great book.

This book is small but packed with useful information. If you like the record you will love this - says my husband.

I just finished up another 33 1/3 book on Bob Dylan's seminal Highway 61 Revisited by Mark Polizzotti. It is another exhaustively research look at how this great record came together. I think it has three of his greatest songs: " Like A Rolling Stone" (recently voted as the greatest rock song of all time), the underrated "Tom Thumb Blues," and dark "Desolation Row." I need to go back and watch the film Don't Look Back since it was made during this period and has many of the players mentioned in this book. I saw it at the urging of a roommate back in college but I wasn't as invest in Dylan or this record as I am now so it should be a revelation this time around. Another observation I have made is that I am drawn to the surly nature of Dylan's song writing where it seems as though he is trying to get back at al those hypocrites, back stabbers, and people who have tried to drag him down, from "Like A Rolling Stone": Once upon a time you dressed so fine' /You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?' / People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall" / 'You thought they were all kiddin' you' / You used to laugh about / 'Everybody that was hangin' out' / Now you don't talk so loud / 'Now you don't seem so proud / 'About having to be scrounging for your next meal. Another stray observation, Dylan like Patti Smith was heavily influenced by Arthur Rimbaud-"the rock poet."

Lots of little things I didn't know - packed with insight - I really wick they would publish a similar book for Blonde on Blonde.