Robbie Robertson finally tells his own spellbinding story of the band that changed music history, his extraordinary personal journey, and his creative friendships with some of the greatest artists of the last half-century
Robertson was the guitarist and principal songwriter in the Band. He has produced many movie soundtracks for Martin Scorsese and others, and continues to record as a solo artist. His most recent record, How to Become Clairvoyant, came out in 2011.
Robbie Robertson's Testimony is a book of memories and
wonders, a personal testament of a magical time in American music
from someone who was there, at the centre of it all, playing and
casting spells and writing songs that helped define those great
lost years. There's history here, and anecdote, regret and
reminiscence, a long fond look back at the trials and triumphs of
finding your voice then holding your ground. The tone is easy,
conversational, like reminiscing with a friend about things you
never realized you were part of too. Robbie brings you along
with him, keeps you right by his side first to last, just the way
his songs do, drawing you close, spellbound by his easy sorcery.
You can feel the music in every word. -- Martin Scorsese
[An] elegant, evocative memoir ... Robertson was
particularly suited to a supporting role, happiest pulling the
strings in the background. It's the perfect vantage point for a
memoirist, and he makes the most of it ... The first half of
the book is a hugely atmospheric song of the road ...
Midway, Dylan hits the narrative like a firework tossed through
a window ... Robertson brings the chaos vividly to life
... He tells it with style and affection, showing a keen eye for
detail. * Mail on Sunday *
An entertaining and valuable description of a rock'n'roll
apprenticeship punctuated by encounters with such historic figures
as Sonny Boy Williamson, Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters. He casts
light on a vital phase of Dylan's career and, of course, on the
history of the Band. * Guardian *
For real insight into a musical unit's workings, it would be hard
to beat the Canadian guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson's
Testimony...packed with fascinating anecdote. -- Neil
McCormick * Telegraph *
'We're deep into the golden age of the classic-rock memoir ...
Testimony ends when its author was still relatively young,
but it is packed with incident ... His memoir
is confident and well oiled. At times it has the mythic
sweep of an early Terrence Malick movie ... Mr. Dylan blows into
this memoir like a blazing tumbleweed ... [Robbie Robertson's]
writing is wonderfully perceptive. * New York Times *
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