Bob Dylan in the Attic: The Artist as Historian

by Freddy Cristobal Dominguez, Paul Bellantoni (narrator), Tantor Audio (publisher)

Bob Dylan is an iconic American artist, whose music and performances have long reflected different musical genres and time periods. His songs tell tales of the Civil War, harken back to 1930s labor struggles, and address racial violence at the height of the civil rights movement, helping listeners to think about history, and history making, in new ways. While Dylan was warned by his early mentor, Dave Van Ronk, that, "You're just going to be a history book writer if you do those things. An anachronism," the musician has continued to traffic in history and engage with a range of source material—ancient and modern—over the course of his career.

In this beautifully crafted book, Freddy Cristobal Dominguez makes a provocative case for Dylan as a historian, offering a deep consideration of the musician's historical influences and practices. Utilizing interviews, speeches, and the close analysis of lyrics and live performances, Bob Dylan in the Attic is the first book to consider Dylan's work from the point of view of historiography.

Audible Audio

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one’s a hot take: Dylan didn’t just make history, his work is that of grappling with and retelling the past and thus he is a historian.

So many academics approach Dylan from their discipline and make an argument that his work has resonance (sometimes exclusively) because of his engagement from the stance of their viewpoint. For examples read Rick’s Dylan’s Visions of Sin for the English professor’s take; read Thomas’ Why Bob Dylan Matters for the Classics professors take; or read Wilentz’s Bob Dylan in America for the American history professor’s take. Each of these provide some insights and add depth to our understanding and appreciation of Dylan’s art if they are each a bit niche. At their worst, they tend to get lost in their own perspectives and lose sight of the fullness of Dylan’s oeuvre. At their best they give us new avenues to consider the profundity of Dylan’s music, writing, and other artistic endeavors.

And than there is this. Another historian writing that Dylan creates new interpretations of history. Interesting idea, but maybe a stretch too far in parts. I’ll think about it.

[Mattschratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool book about Bob and modes of thinking history. I have now completed all three (3) books about Bob Dylan that I got for Christmas 2022.