After the success of Determined to Stand: The Reinvention of Bob Dylan, literary commentator Chris Gregory releases Minstrel Boy, the second volume of his Picasso of Song trilogy. This book explores Bob Dylan’s artistic changes from 1967 to 1990—a period filled with retreat, renewal, and transformation.
Leonard Cohen once called Dylan the “Picasso of Song.” Gregory uses this idea to examine Dylan’s work with sharp insight and passion. He connects Dylan’s music to cultural and literary influences, including William Blake, gospel traditions, and folk music. As a result, readers gain a clearer understanding of Dylan’s evolution.
“This book offers the depth of academic study but remains accessible and enjoyable for fans and general readers,” says Chris Gregory.
The book is divided into three parts:
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Retreat (1967–1973): Dylan moves away from the spotlight and embraces country-inspired sounds.
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Return (1974–1978): He comes back with a creative burst, producing some of his most iconic recordings and tours.
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Rebirth (1979–1990): Dylan surprises audiences again, from his spiritual conversion to a new artistic phase.
In addition, Gregory enriches his analysis with lively descriptions of Dylan’s performances. These sections help readers experience the excitement of Dylan’s live shows.
Beyond his books, Gregory runs From the Pen of Chris Gregory, a blog with hundreds of articles on Dylan’s songs and over 100,000 visits. Moreover, he hosts the podcast Bob Dylan: A Headful of Ideas, which has nearly 80 episodes and more than 10,000 downloads. It is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.
skype – quitegr8