As one of the most over-scrutinised artists ever, one might expect that Bob Dylan has been waiting to tell his own story in the proper way. But just like his songwriting, the first book of his reported three-volume autobiography, Chronicles, provides many new tantalising insights, while keeping its subject elusive. What is most enjoyable is Dylans prose, which is richly detailed and shows him humbly at ease with his iconic image. However, chapters make huge leaps of time; those seeking dirt on love affairs and drug use will have to wait it seems. But an endless stream of anecdotes, such as a violent argument with producer Daniel Lanois, or the day a teenage Bobby Zimmerman found inspiration after seeing the wrestler Gorgeous George, are priceless. A warning to scholars though: dont throw out your other biographies. Jason Schneider
Dylan Tell-All Tells Some
BIOGRAPHY
BY Jason SchneiderPublished Dec 1, 2004