Studio A: The Bob Dylan Reader

Hailed by Publishers Weekly as "not only the best writing on the ever-changing folk singer, but also some of the best writing about any musician around," Studio A presents Bob Dylan's unique literary legacy in a collection that is quintessentially Dylan: mosaic, offbeat, poetic. This "astutely chosen and intelligently annotated" collection (Time Out London) gathers over fifty articles, poems, essays, speeches, literary criticisms, and interviews; many previously unpublished. Individually, these pieces offer insight into the man and his time, but collectively they reveal the coming-of-age of American cultural criticism in their "sweeping view of both Dylan and the changing times he so eloquently captured in his music" (Publishers Weekly). With Sam Shepard, Bruce Springsteen, Allen Ginsberg, Johnny Cash, Greil Marcus, Joyce Carol Oates, Gary Giddins, Rick Moody, Tom Piazza, Barry Hannah, and Dylan himself on the list of contributors, Studio A is truly "a vital document" (New York Times) for all fans.

"The most absorbing, wide-ranging and stimulating body of writing about the mighty Bob that's ever been assembled."—Salman Rushdie

Library Journal

While His Bobness finishes his long-delayed autobiography, fans have these two anthologies to tide them over. Hedin, a freelance writer, fills Studio A with some of the best-known writings about Dylan, including articles, interviews, poems, and miscellaneous pieces from such high-profile figures as Johnny Cash, Nat Hentoff, Hunter S. Thompson, Sam Shepard, Cameron Crowe, Joyce Carol Oates, and Bruce Springsteen. Although excerpts from Rolling Stone and former patron/lover Joan Baez's memoir are not included, this makes for a pretty decent Dylan biography. The sheer star power of represented authors is testament to Dylan's standing as one of the most important artistic figures of the past century. Updated since its original 2001 release, Isis is a sort of boxed set to Studio A's greatest hits that delves even deeper into Dylan's life and lore. Leading off with its coup de grace-a rare and lengthy interview with Dylan's parents conducted by biographer Robert Shelton in 1968-it includes in-depth articles and interviews that, until now, have received limited distribution (Isis is a longtime Dylan fanzine). Beware, however, the rather sloppy editing, indicative of a more homegrown operation. A treasure trove of Dylanology, this anthology is likely to have limited appeal; recommended for larger pop music collections.-Lloyd Jansen, Stockton-San Joaquin Cty. P.L., CA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Benjamin Hedin serves on the English faculty at Long Island University. His writing has appeared in The Nation, Gettysburg Review, and other publications. He lives in New York City.