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The Philosophy of Modern Song

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The Philosophy of Modern Song

By: Bob Dylan
Narrated by: Bob Dylan, Jeff Bridges, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Oscar Isaac, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard, Jeffrey Wright, Renée Zellweger
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About this listen

 The Philosophy of Modern Song is Bob Dylan’s first book of new writing since 2004’s Chronicles: Volume One—and since winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. The audio is narrated by an all-star lineup including Bob Dylan, Jeff Bridges, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Oscar Isaac, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard, Jeffrey Wright, and Renée Zellweger!

Dylan, who began working on the book in 2010, offers his extraordinary insight into the nature of popular music. He writes over sixty essays focusing on songs by other artists, spanning from Stephen Foster to Elvis Costello, and in between ranging from Hank Williams to Nina Simone. He analyzes what he calls the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song, and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal. These essays are written in Dylan’s unique prose. They are mysterious and mercurial, poignant and profound, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And while they are ostensibly about music, they are really meditations and reflections on the human condition. Running throughout the book are a series of dream-like riffs that, taken together, resemble an epic poem and add to the work’s transcendence.

In 2020, with the release of his outstanding album Rough and Rowdy Ways, Dylan became the first artist to have an album hit the Billboard Top 40 in each decade since the 1960s. The Philosophy of Modern Song contains much of what he has learned about his craft in all those years, and like everything that Dylan does, it is a momentous artistic achievement.©2022 Bob Dylan. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Funny
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Great wisdom, great insight, great narration. Thoroughly enjoyed the listening from beginning to end and will serve as a reference from now on. Certainly gives new perspectives when listening to the songs

Every word is a gem

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They are just starting points from which Bob can launch riffs on a chosen subject

its not about the songs

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Funny enticing and throughly enjoyable. I loved the book and the audio is even better.

Modern Music

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Bob delivers a humble, witty series of essays about the songs that ignited a spark for him. It’s Bob’s list and woven into the narrative are little pieces of Bob. It’s a joy to read and the addition of the audiobook means you can listen to Bob’s voice as he reads some pieces “theme time” style. Another gift from the one who’s keeps giving.

Magic from the Master

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Thank you Bob, you’ve opened a new universe for me. The voice actors are fabulous

Fantastic

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I would have enjoyed this more if, either I knew more than a few of the songs, or, the musical tracks were included (in the audible version, obviously).
Nevertheless , I made it through, and must admit some the essays were both interesting and eloquent. Of course, always good to hear Dylan's voice and poetic ramblings.

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