Synopses & Reviews
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 artistsRobert Johnson, Harmonica Frank, Randy Newman, the Band, Sly Stone, and Elvis PresleyMarcus 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 the Author
Greil Marcus, a former editor at Rolling Stone and Creem, contributes regularly to Artforum and Interview, among many other publications. He has taught at UC Berkeley and Princeton University since 2000.
Table of Contents
Author's Note
Introduction to the 1997 Edition
Prologue
Ancestors:
Harmonica Frank, 1951
Robert Johnson, 1938
Inheritors:
The Band: Pilgrims' Progress
Sly Stone: The Myth of Staggerlee
Randy Newman: Every Man Is Free
Elvis: Presliad
Epilogue
Notes and Discographies
Index