Bob Dylan: The Essential Interviews

As an interview subject, Bob Dylan is notorious for his unpredictable moods and evasive, impish answers. Yet this priceless collection teems with honest, open, and thoughtful musings from a man described by editor Cott (Dylan; Back to a Shadow in the Night) as a ""playful expositor of his munificent and inspiring thought-dreams."" Organized chronologically, the interviews illuminate Dylan's changing views of music, life and his career, so readers can watch how a cocksure young man, reluctantly occupying the spotlight (""I'm really not the right person to tramp around the country saving souls,"" he told Playboy in 1966), remains forever uneasy with his status as he becomes one of the most influential musicians in history (""If I wasn't Bob Dylan, I'd probably think that Bob Dylan has a lot of answers myself,"" he tells Playboy in 1978). Most notable is Dylan's unwavering conviction in his instincts despite disapproval from other musicians, music critics and fans; after getting booed during his electric debut, he told Nora Ephron ""They can boo till the end of time. I know that the music is real, more real than the boos."" Those who have been touched by Dylan's songs will find this collection a fascinating window into his one-of-a-kind mind.