Dylan Goes Electric!
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Elijah Wald. (Discuss) Proposed since June 2025. |
| Author | Elijah Wald |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Dey Street/HarperCollins |
Publication date | July 25, 2015 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 368 |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-236668-9 |
| OCLC | 913522388 |
Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties is a 2015 book by Elijah Wald and published by Dey Street Books.
The book describes the Electric Dylan controversy, arising from a conflict between Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger during the Newport Folk Festival.[1]
John Harris of The Guardian wrote that the "contrast between Dylan and Seeger" is the "spine" of the book, and that it "both explains the huge array of subplots that fed into the Newport moment and undermines any idea that the story is clear-cut."[2] Timothy Farrington of The Wall Street Journal wrote that the book is about "the clash between cultural authenticity and commercial success."[3]
The book was part of the inspiration of the film A Complete Unknown.[4]
Background
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The author used varying recollections about the Electric Dylan controversy,[4] and the mediums he used were film and recorded tapes.[3] Wald himself stated that the recollections were across many different people, which numbered, in his estimation, 17,000, and according to Chris Willman of Variety, "many [of these recollections] substantially differ from others."[4] Dorian Lynskey of The Spectator Australia wrote that the number of sources used was in the "dozens".[5]
One source Maslin used was an interview with a person who stated that he overhead a conversation about the controversy between Pete Seeger and Charles Seeger, Pete's father.[6]
Content
[edit] | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2025) |
Mark Levine of Booklist wrote that the book discusses the "mythology" of the controversy.[1] Farrington describes the narrative style of the coverage of the Newport 1965 set as having "almost second by second" details.[3]
Janet Maslin stated that the book recorded varying points of view from different people about the controversy.[6] The book examines how many people attending the Newport concert had certain opinions about the controversy.[1]
According to Maslin, "oversimplifications" of people are a feature of the book, even though the author "tries his best to resist" them, and the author, according to Maslin, "acknowledges" how these features have "flaws".[6]
According to Maslin, author "does a fascinating job" showing how Seeger had to manage having an income and a career along with trying to maintain his "ideals".[6]
Poet David Kirby stated that the book shows that the controversy is about the complexity of narratives and "not so much about music".[7]
Lynskey wrote that the book does not "take sides" and that is the "real contribution to the" topic.[5]
Reception
[edit]Maslin described it as a "splendid, colorful work".[6]
Farrington wrote that the book is "excellent".[3]
Harris wrote that the book is "among the best music books I have ever read."[2]
Kirby wrote that the book is "splendid".[7]
Mark Levine of Booklist gave it a starred review, and wrote that "the book makes a major contribution to modern musical history."[1]
Anita Sethi, of The Observer, wrote that the book does its narrative "colourfully".[8]
Kirkus Reviews wrote that the book is "An enjoyable slice of 20th-century music journalism".[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Levine, Mark (2015-06-01). "Dylan Goes Electric!". Booklist. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ a b Harris, John (2015-07-10). "Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald review – when Bob took a Stratocaster to the Newport folk festival". The Guardian. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ a b c d Farrington, Timothy (2015-07-24). "Taking an Ax to Tradition". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ a b c Willman, Chris (December 26, 2024). "'A Complete Unknown' Fact vs. Fiction: Bob Dylan Experts Go Deep on What's True or Fanciful in the Celebrated Biopic". Variety.
- ^ a b Lynskey, Dorian (2015-08-29). "The times really were a-changin' — when Dylan electrified his fans". The Spectator Australia. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
- ^ a b c d e Maslin, Janet (2015-07-23). "Review: 'Dylan Goes Electric!' Considers Folk, Rock and a '60s Divide". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ a b Kirby, David (2015-07-24). "What really happened the night Dylan plugged in his guitar?". Washington Post. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ Sethi, Anita (2015-08-30). "Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald review – a meticulous exploration of a musical landmark". The Observer. Retrieved 2025-04-30 – via The Guardian.
- ^ "DYLAN GOES ELECTRIC!". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
External links
[edit]- Dylan Goes Electric! - Elijah Wald official website
- Dylan Goes Electric! - HarperCollins
