Positively 4th Street

Rating:
Summary: This work prompted me to revisit some of the folk &
Review: folk-rock music of my youth. Dylan's work has endured of course & Don't Think Twice & Blowin in the Wind has spoken to every generation since.
From the book I got the the impression that Bob Dylan is somewhat limited intellectually. He spouts nonsense & speaks thru his lyrics & is truly a musical genius. He speaks against wealth privledge & the establishement but embraces it. He is exempt. He cannot string two sentences together & apparently was a lousy interview. In the end he has alienated all his old friends from his folk days, while continuing to gather more fans.
Joan Baez story goes beyond the anti-war protest she is known for & delves into her music & relationship with Dylan. It was (a least to her) more than just a affair. She really did love him & furthered his career at the expense of her own. A totally amoral character he discarded her as he eventually does to all his relationship while denying his past, simply a boring Jewish middle class kid form Minnesota.
Mr. Hajda also covers at length Mimi (Joan's younger sister) & Richard Farina. His life was a shooting star, a brief career with much promise. Mimi was along for the ride marrying him at 17. His potential brillance was cut short needlessly & stupidly.
The reader does a good job of imitating Dylan but other attempts not so good. Recommended reading for a good feel for the folk, night club, beat scene of the late 50's & early 60's.

Rating:
Summary: This work prompted me to revisit some of the folk &
Review: folk-rock music of my youth. Dylan's work has endured of course & Don't Think Twice & Blowin in the Wind has spoken to every generation since.
From the book I got the the impression that Bob Dylan is somewhat limited intellectually. He spouts nonsense & speaks thru his lyrics & is truly a musical genius. He speaks against wealth privledge & the establishement but embraces it. He is exempt. He cannot string two sentences together & apparently was a lousy interview. In the end he has alienated all his old friends from his folk days, while continuing to gather more fans.
Joan Baez story goes beyond the anti-war protest she is known for & delves into her music & relationship with Dylan. It was (a least to her) more than just a affair. She really did love him & furthered his career at the expense of her own. A totally amoral character he discarded her as he eventually does to all his relationship while denying his past, simply a boring Jewish middle class kid form Minnesota.
Mr. Hajda also covers at length Mimi (Joan's younger sister) & Richard Farina. His life was a shooting star, a brief career with much promise. Mimi was along for the ride marrying him at 17. His potential brillance was cut short needlessly & stupidly.
The reader does a good job of imitating Dylan but other attempts not so good. Recommended reading for a good feel for the folk, night club, beat scene of the late 50's & early 60's.