Nice Collection for Appreciating Dylan's Words
Anyone interested in enjoying Bob Dylan's work in another format should consider Writings and Drawings, which chronologically collects Dylan's songs (released and unreleased), liner notes, and poems from 1962 to 1971. It is a stroll through time, exhibiting the breadth of Dylan's talent and the range of his growth - from the lovely simplicity of his blues-folk sketches to the swirling opaqueness of his surrealist tapestries to the twanging economy of his post-crash work. For the Dylan enthusiast, however, the volume can feel incomplete, even when considering the publishing date (1973). For example, the heavily bootlegged gem "She's Your Lover Now" (1966) is missing a verse. Writings and Drawings also omits several non-lyric pieces that are of great interest (The Kennedy Poems, Alternatives to College, A Letter from Bob Dylan, etc.), which is lamentable. Also, the drawings, though charming and visually interesting, are few and far between. (Those looking for Dylan's art should look to "Drawn Blank".) The book is pretty hefty; at over 300 pages and about eight by ten inches large, it's a nice thing to set out for display. It's also out of print, which means it's a nostalgic little relic. It's a very nice collection despite its shortcomings, and a great way to sit down and experience Dylan's writing a new form, so it belongs on a hardcore fan's bookshelf. However, those looking for a more up to date collection should check out Lyrics: 1962-2001.