Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen

More about the book

Both Dylan and Cohen have significantly influenced music and poetry for over six decades. The book opens by examining their contemporary relevance and the reasons behind their lasting appeal as artists. It then reflects on their early ambitions, highlighting their aspirations to achieve fame akin to Dylan Thomas and embody a lifestyle of social irresponsibility, similar to the Beat Generation figures like Ginsberg and Kerouac. The "Rimbaud of Cwmdonkin Drive" captivated America, showcasing that a bohemian poet could thrive outside academic confines. Although their fame has varied, Dylan and Cohen maintained their status by adopting diverse personas, allowing them to separate their public identities from their true selves. This exploration includes their relationship with religion as a means of preserving their inner identities. The book delves into their lyrics and poetry, considering the interplay between poetry and song, as well as Lorca's notions of poetic inspiration and the profound emotional depths of 'duende.' These concepts reflect the dislocation of the mind and the liberation of the senses that resonated with Dylan and Cohen when they encountered Rimbaud and Lorca's works. Ultimately, the connection between performance and poetry is emphasized, with 'duende'—the passion of delivery—being integral to their artistic expression and shared with the Beat Generation.