Paul Metsa Bücher

The narrative centers on the Minneapolis musicians who were unexpectedly called to re-record half of the songs on Bob Dylan's celebrated album. When Dylan initially recorded in New York in September 1974, the album was impressive but not yet the iconic work it would become. Feeling something was amiss, he returned to Minnesota to re-record five tracks, including “Idiot Wind” and “Tangled Up in Blue.” Six Minnesota musicians participated in this pivotal two-night session at Sound 80, infusing their distinct sound into Dylan's classics, yet their contributions remained uncredited for over forty years. This account reveals those two nights, introduces the talented musicians—mandolinist Peter Ostroushko, drummer Bill Berg, bassist Billy Peterson, keyboardist Gregg Inhofer, guitarist Chris Weber, and singer-songwriter Kevin Odegard—and chronicles their long struggle for recognition. Through detailed interviews and thorough research, the authors explore the serendipitous gathering of these artists, their varied musical journeys leading up to the December 1974 session, and the efforts required to finally receive the acknowledgment they deserved. This work offers a unique glimpse into the creation of a legendary album and honors the musicians behind its success, illuminating a significant moment in rock history.

"Metsa is as likeable a narrator as ever graced a barstool."-Kirkus Review"Metsa is the other great folksinger from Minnestoa's Mesabi Iron Range." -Steve Karras, Huffington Post"Metsa is a Beat-influenced motormouth, swooned on the rhythm of words, the jangle of phrases, the emotional bullseye that pricks at the intellect on its way to the heart of the matter." -Britt Robson, City Pages"This cat under the stars has lived countless lives, some of them borrowed, some of them spent, and has seen things that cramped, quotidian lives will never know. This world has extracted its price [from Metsa], but it's equally true that he has it by the balls."- David Carr, columnist, The New York Times

This is a musician’s the story of a boy growing up on the Iron Range, playing his guitar at family gatherings, coming of age in the psychedelic seventies, and honing his craft as a pro in Minneapolis, ground zero of American popular music in the mid-eighties. “There is a drop of blood behind every note I play and every word I write,” Paul Metsa says. And it’s easy to believe, as he conducts us on a musical journey across time and country, navigating switchbacks, detours, dead ends, and providing us the occasional glimpse of the promised land on the blue guitar highway. His account captures the thrill of the Twin Cities when acts like the Replacements, Husker Dü, and Prince were remaking pop music. It takes us right onto the stages he shared with stars like Billy Bragg, Pete Seeger, and Bruce Springsteen. And it gives us a close-up, dizzying view of the roller-coaster ride that is the professional musician’s life, played out against the polarizing politics and intimate history of the past few decades of American culture. Written with a songwriter’s sense of detail and ear for poetry, Paul Metsa’s book conveys all the sweet absurdity, dry humor, and passion for the language of music that has made his story sing.