Bar Yarns and Manic-Depressive Mixtapes: Jim Walsh on Music from Minneapolis to the Outer Limits

by Jim Walsh

Bar Yarns and Manic Depressive Mix Tapes distills thirty delirious, jam-packed years of some of the best music writing ever to come out of the Twin Cities. As a writer and musician, the ever-curious Jim Walsh has lived a life immersed in music, and it all makes its way into his columns and feature articles, interviews and reviews, including personal essays on life, love, music, family, death, and, yes, the manic-depressive highs and lows that come with being an obsessive music lover and listener.  From Minneapolis’s own Prince to such far-flung acts as David Bowie, the Waterboys, Lucinda Williams, Parliament-Funkadelic, L7, the Rolling Stones, the Ramones, U2, Hank Williams, Britney Spears, Elvis Presley and Nirvana, Walsh’s work treats us to a chorus of the voices and sounds that have made the music scene over the past three decades. The big names are here, from Rosanne Cash to Bruce Springsteen to Bob Marley and Jackson Browne, but so are those a little shy of superstardom, like the Tin Star Sisters and Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, the Gear Daddies, Semisonic, and The Belfast Cowboys.  The book is also a tour (de force) of the Twin Cities' most celebrated music venues past and present, from the Prom Ballroom to Paisley Park to Duffy's. When Walsh isn't celebrating the sheer magic of live music or dreaming to tunes blasting from the car console, he might be surveying the scene with the Hamm's Bear at Grumpy's or the Double Deuce or singing the last night at the Uptown Bar blues. Whether he's dishing dirt with Yoko Ono or digging the Replacements' roots, giving an old rocker a spin or offering a mic to the latest upstart, Jim Walsh reminds us that in the land of a thousand lakes there are a thousand dances, and the music never dies. Capturing the pure notes and character of the sound of the Twin Cities and beyond, with a keen eye for trends and the telling detail, his book truly is a mix tape of thirty years of unforgettable music.

Genres: Music, Essays, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Especially if you are 50-something and grew up in or near Minneapolis. Or if you just like a good read about music...

[Mike Mikulski · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Do you believe in Rock and Roll? Can music save your mortal soul?".....Jim Walsh believes! Walsh re-affirms the power of family, friendship, life and music. Walsh reveals himself as a kindred spirit with a life rooted in music and Minneapolis. Great writing on giants like Springsteen, Prince, and the Rolling Stones. Even more engaging are stories of the bars, clubs and lakesides that made
up the Minneapolis live music scene in the 80's, 90's and beyond. Walsh is perfectly on key as he describes the joy of just driving and listening to favorite songs and bands and how music can be a touchstone at the happiest and saddest moments in our lives.

[Jeff J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compilation of writings from music journalist Jim Walsh. The focus is primarily on Minnesota artists, but at times he wanders further afield (thanks for turning me on to Ike Reilly!). I particularly enjoyed his reviews of memorable shows, many of which I was at (Prince, the Replacements, U2, Springsteen).

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavily steeped in the local music scene of Minneapolis, I think this book will mainly appeal to those that live here or those that have or will. All right writing but with any collection some stories are better than others. Feel free to skip around.

[Nick Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Music people, especially those from Minneapolis/St. Paul, will love this.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An homage to not only the brilliant artists and musicians of Minneapolis, but to family and the bustling intimate city itself. Mr. Walsh can sure spin a yarn, that is for sure. Please, tell me more, good sir!

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps too much about Jim Walsh and too little about the music.

[Richard Mactough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walsh paints a creative voice in the time of growing up to music in a nostalgic time. It captures what music really means to the American Culture in the time of Classic Rock.

[Bill Lydon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Selected articles from Jim Walsh archive.

[Jehnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a lot of edited books of previously released articles/stories, this book was mixed. Some of the chapters were successful and interesting and worth reading. Others felt dated or unconnected.