Like a Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan at the Crossroads
by Greil Marcus
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 137)
Read in April, 2005
Pomposity reigns and if there are a set of Rock Criticism rules akin to the literary rules that James Fenimore Cooper violated so blithely to Mark Twain's delight, Marcus violates them all. Instead of research, he remembers. Instead of logic and measured insights, he flushes clichés, random associations, second person generalizations, and just plain old fashioned bullshit. “Dylan singing like William and Versey Smith chanting their version of the Titantic on the street in Chicago in 1927 and ...more
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Read in January, 2005
Greil Marcus returns to one of his favorite subjects, Bob Dylan.
This time he takes on "Like a Rolling Stone," which he apparently considers as Dylan's masterstroke and probably the greatest song in Rock and Roll history.
Those unitiated to Marcus' work are warned against expecting a straightforward narrative. This is NOT a book for those with a casual interest. Instead, Marcus, in keeping with his usual method, writes for PhD's who live in record stores, delivering a rambling me...more
This time he takes on "Like a Rolling Stone," which he apparently considers as Dylan's masterstroke and probably the greatest song in Rock and Roll history.
Those unitiated to Marcus' work are warned against expecting a straightforward narrative. This is NOT a book for those with a casual interest. Instead, Marcus, in keeping with his usual method, writes for PhD's who live in record stores, delivering a rambling me...more
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recommends it for:
Dylan or Pet Shop Boys fans
Marcus does something unique in 'Like a Rolling Stone'. He sets out to write the history of a song and its importance to a culture. For the most part it is a successful endevour.
The factual history alone is fascinating. Using the studio tapes he does a terrific job in evoking the scene at the studio that resulting in the one-of-a-kind recording.
He is less successful in discussing the cultural ramifications of the song. Mostly he comes off the rails when he compares it to other songs in...more
The factual history alone is fascinating. Using the studio tapes he does a terrific job in evoking the scene at the studio that resulting in the one-of-a-kind recording.
He is less successful in discussing the cultural ramifications of the song. Mostly he comes off the rails when he compares it to other songs in...more
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Read in November, 2006
One of the few subjects less interesting to me than the history of rock and roll would be the history of one particular rock and roll song. The fact that I found this book engrossing is testament to Marcus’ skill. Being the pop culture illiterate that I am, I’d never before read even an essay by him before picking up this book. Boy, does this guy how knows how to turn a sentence, even one with a clause in the middle of it that contains its own sentence, or two:
"Singing in a voice a...more
"Singing in a voice a...more
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An entire book about one song. If any song deserves it, "Like A Rolling Stone" is the one.
I liked how Frank Zappa said that when he heard the song, he was sure that the country would be turned upside-down by it. Although the song has been a tremendous popular and critical success by any measure (Rolling Stone magazine's #1 song of all time), the real, revolutionary shakeup that Zappa foresaw actually never, quite, happened.
I liked how Frank Zappa said that when he heard the song, he was sure that the country would be turned upside-down by it. Although the song has been a tremendous popular and critical success by any measure (Rolling Stone magazine's #1 song of all time), the real, revolutionary shakeup that Zappa foresaw actually never, quite, happened.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in May, 2008
A little too self indulgent, at times, but also really awesome. I have tons of little notes written up on other bands and songs and events to look up, not just for context but because he writes with love and admiration.
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Read in August, 2008
I wouldn't call myself a Dylan expert at all, but I still found this book fascinating. An engaging read, with lots of interesting material about the time period and rock 'n' roll history.
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Read in January, 2005
We did not need a book about this song. I actually feel that way about a lot of Greil Marcus' writing, although he seems like a nice, smart guy. Just...unnecessary.
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Read in January, 2006
A somewhat interesting read. A little history behind Robert Zimmerman and inside the sessions of one of the most influential songs of our time.
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Read in June, 2008
I wanted this book to be good. Too bad it wasn't. It was overwritten and kind of boring--a difficult feat for such a great topic.
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Read in December, 2007
only if you REALLY like this song. I do, but the book doesn't deal as much in the world it came out of.
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Read in January, 2008
I really enjoyed the first two chapters. Otherwise, it can get a little long-winded at times.
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Read in July, 2008
I know there's a lot of Dylan books, but I like Marcus here.
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