Saw the film about an hour ago. what struck me was how downbeat it seemed.

I think what captivated us all at the time was the energy and stunning creativity of the American scene which really seemed to nullify MacColl's nay saying.

Think of Koerner, Ray and Glover ripping into the audiences of Newport. The Blues Project record, Pete Seeger at the Carnegie Hall album.   

That blur of energy made a quite unanswerable case. Possibly the most exciting place to be in the world - a bit like Ginsberg said about Liverpool. As Wordsworth said, to be young was very heaven....

So they make a film about a manic depressive. Can you imagine any jobbing musician turning down a gig in trio put together by Grossman in that period.

rather like Paul Simon's One Trick Pony -its a film about an unsuccessful musician, made by someone who has no idea what its like being an unsuccessful musician.

They know how to make a film - there were six people watching with me in the audience.........?