Paul Metsa

Blood in the Tracks: The Minnesota Musicians Behind Dylan's Masterpiece, by Paul Metsa and Rick Shefchik, is a look at the (re)making of Dylan's album and at the largely overlooked musicians who were involved.

First, if you think this is strictly about Dylan and this one album, read the title more closely, it is about the musicians who played on those rerecorded tracks using the Dylan sessions as a focal point. If you enjoy reading about skilled and interesting people in the music industry, this will be a very interesting book. If you just want to read more about Dylan and nothing else, you may be disappointed in the book, but that will be because you didn't read the title and the book description.

My last comment in the previous paragraph may be a bit snarky, but I actually expected more Dylan than there was, so in a broad sense it is also about me. That said, I knew I was getting a book about the musicians, so I was just surprised, not disappointed. In fact, I ended up pleased that I learned about these people since I have already read plenty about Dylan while these fine musicians never received their due.

If you've ever been fascinated by the stories that highlight what artists did after their most famous moments, then you will enjoy this volume a lot. At the time of the sessions these were musicians who ranged from just starting to being well known names in the area. In every case, these were professionals who, like most good studio musicians, can bring a lot more to a recording than simply playing what they're told to play. Giving these guys a little bit of freedom and encouragement can go a long way. Can change something from passable to iconic.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (més)