Come writers and critics...

The University of Liverpool's Institute of Popular Music has quite a collection of poptastic artefacts - some of which can be seen on display at the moment at the University's Victoria Gallery and Museum. I had a quick look round at lunchtime today and there were several things I wanted to blip so I may have to call back there again soon...

As a confirmed Bob Dylan devotee I was particularly taken with this address book which belonged to Robert Shelton, the music critic whose New York Times review of Dylan's show at Gerde's Folk City in Greenwich Village in September 1961 gave Bob his first big break.

"His clothes may need a bit of tailoring, but when he works his guitar, harmonica, or piano and composes new songs faster than he can remember them, there is no doubt that he is bursting at the seams with talent."

Shelton also wrote one of the best Dylan biographies 'No Direction Home' although, for my money, the best book about Dylan is 'Song And Dance Man: the Art of Bob Dylan' by Birkenhead's very own Michael Gray (but make sure you get the 3rd edition!) - which is a strong contender for my Desert Island Book choice.

But I digress!

Here are the address book entries for the man who can perhaps best be described as 'troubled production genius and creator of the Wall of Sound' (although 'convicted murderer' would unfortunately be equally accurate...) Phil Spector and equally 'troubled' society beauty, Warhol scenester and Dylan muse Edie Sedgwick.

Not content with playing a pivotal role in the careers of Dylan, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Janis Ian, Janis Joplin and Frank Zappa by recognising their talents ahead of the pack, Shelton, rather excitingly, ended his career in Brighton where he wrote for the local paper, the Evening Argus, which I remember well from my Sussex youth.

Fellow Dylan anoraks enthusiasts may like to know that my alternative titles for this journal entry were

A) Shelton from the Storm
B) They say that Pat Garrett's got your number
C) A man can't give his address out to bad company

Any other suggestions gratefully received!