SONG & DANCE MAN is an established classic, back in print for Dylan fans and scholars alike, offering the definitive retrospective appraisal of forty years of work by one of the twentieth century's most significant artists.The author, recognized as a world authority on the work and career of Bob Dylan, was the first to consider Dylan's writing as worthy of treatment as serious art. The 50th Anniversary Series, Vol. 1 - Language & Tradition, provides analysis of the songs (as written and as performed) in terms of the folk tradition, the literary tradition, rock music itself, and his remarkable use of the huge body of pre-war blues lyric poetry. He examines both the complexity and the simplicity in Dylan's use of language, as well the role of drugs and mysticism.Generations of Dylan listeners have turned to Song & Dance Man to more deeply understand and appreciate the work and the accomplishments of Bob Dylan. Now re-published in a three volume series, Vol. 1 focuses on the techniques of Dylan's writing. Vol. 2 looks at his 'born again' work and later 80's albums such as 'Oh Mercy'. Vol. 3 picks up in the 90's and follows through looking at the albums up through 'Time Out Of Mind'. Prior Reviews of Song & Dance Man: ROLLING STONE: "Monumental, endlessly illuminating." LONDON REVIEW BOOKSHOP: "Song & Dance Man is probably the greatest book about the work of a single popular musician ever to have been published." EVENING STANDARD, London: "The definitive critical work."