Dylan Goes Electric! Audiobook By Elijah Wald cover art

Dylan Goes Electric!

Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties

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Dylan Goes Electric!

By: Elijah Wald
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
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On the evening of July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan took the stage at Newport Folk Festival, backed by an electric band, and roared into his new rock hit, "Like a Rolling Stone". The audience of committed folk purists and political activists who had hailed him as their acoustic prophet reacted with a mix of shock, booing, and scattered cheers. It was the shot heard round the world - Dylan's declaration of musical independence, the end of the folk revival, and the birth of rock as the voice of a generation - and one of the defining moments in 20th-century music.

In Dylan Goes Electric!, Elijah Wald explores the cultural, political, and historical context of this seminal event that embodies the transformative decade that was the sixties. Wald delves deep into the folk revival, the rise of rock, and the tensions between traditional and groundbreaking music to provide new insights into Dylan's artistic evolution, his special affinity to blues, his complex relationship to the folk establishment and his sometime mentor Pete Seeger, and the ways he reshaped popular music forever.

©2015 Elijah Wald (P)2017 Tantor History & Criticism Music

Critic reviews

"Wald contextualizes the deeply divisive event in illuminating detail...a major contribution to modern musical history." ( Booklist)
Well-researched History • Sharp Insightful Writing • Artful Narration • Excellent Musical Evolution • Great Pacing
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What really happened and, as important why, is thoroughly examined. And the text and narration honestly show that what happened depends on where you were. This book extends beyond music and popular culture and is an important resource for future historians of all kinds.

So much to know

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The review of music events through the period was great; the judgement of the impact of those events, not so much.

significant details about music of the time

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Just as much about the time and culture, this book explores Bob Dylan's decision to go electric and what it meant to the people close to him. Great narrator and great writing.

Snapshot in time

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Engaging and insightful. Written so well I could not stop listening.Engaging and insightful. Written so well I could not stop listening.Wow, this was incredible, I couldn't tear myself away. Seriously captivating from beginning to end, I was hooked. The writing was so sharp and insightful, it really made me think. Definitely one of the best things I've experienced lately. Highly recommend checking it out!

could not stop listening

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Fantastic delve into the historic implications of an afternoon's event which continue to resonate generations later. Narration was mere perfection and greatly enhanced the experience. However, what are you doing reading this review, do yourself a favor and GET THIS BOOK.

A MUST FOR DYLAN FANS OR THOSE OF MUSICAL HISTORY

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The movie was just amazing but left me trying to sort truth from legend. This book, well written and artfully narrated, helped me clarify all the lingering questions.

Excellent perspective

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I saw the movie in which this book was the inspiration for "A Complete Unknown!". The movie covers the period of time in which Dylan came to light for everyone. However, if one didn't read the title, you won't know whom the story is about. Pete Seeger is mentioned, Peter, Paul, and Mary are mentioned. Joan Baez is mentioned often. Odetta shows up from time to time to time. Kingston Tri are immortalized. Ewan McColl is brought up a time or three. Even this young guy from Hibbing, Minnesota has the spot light on him, once in a while.

This books covers all these performers many times, but doesn't highlight only one. You might think they are the main topic.

Overall, if you're looking for a book that reflects the movie "A Complete Unknown!" this is not that book. Enjoy

Talks about everyone, and sometimes about Dylan

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Great informative retelling of the history of Dylan going electric. No villains, only heroes here.

Tell It Like It Was

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So much interesting detailed information. Like you were actually there. Covers the Newport Festival and the folk purest so well. The pacing is great. It has a bit of a rambling feel, but in a good way. The movie and the book are different. They cover different things so if you saw the movie, you will want to read the book to get all the stuff they left out. And if you read the book first you will want to see the movie to see the stuff the book left out. What is most impressive is how well the author has an understanding of this particular time not only the musicians but the music lovers and how that generation was different than anyone before or since in the impact that had on the music scene.l

All the details you want

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Elijah Wald did his homework and documents the rise and fall of the Newport Folk Festival, as well as the evolutions of Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan. He offers calm perspective on a chaotic time. Fascinating.

Historically accurate and emotionally insighful

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