Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock'n'Roll Music - Softcover

Marcus, Greil

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0452289181 ISBN 13: 9780452289185

Publisher: Plume, 2008

Synopsis

Catch a train to the heart of rock ?n? roll with this essential study of the quintessential American art form. First published in 1975, Greil Marcus?s Mystery Train remains a benchmark study of rock ?n? roll and a classic in the field of music criticism. Focusing on six key artists?Robert Johnson, Harmonica Frank, Randy Newman, the Band, Sly Stone, and Elvis Presley?Marcus explores the evolution and impact of rock ?n? roll and its unique place in American culture. This fifth edition of Mystery Train includes an updated and rewritten Notes and Discographies section, exploring the evolution and continuing impact of the recordings featured in the book.

About this title

Review:

More than 20 years after its initial publication, Mystery Train remains one of the smartest, most provocative books ever written about rock-and-roll. Marcus puts his subjects--which include Robert Johnson, Elvis Presley, The Band, Randy Newman, and Sly Stone--into their proper context, which is the culture-at-large. He makes you understand why these musicians matter, and what they've contributed to the American imagination. In his introduction, Marcus confesses that he's no longer "capable of mulling over Elvis without thinking about Herman Melville"--to the benefit, I might add, of both parties.

About the Author:

Greil Marcus was one of the original staffers at Rolling Stone. He teaches at the New School in New York and lives in California.

About this edition

• Publisher: Plume
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0452289181
• ISBN 13: 9780452289185
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 432