Tony Savage's story about Alex disrupting the Paris Opera sounds entirely in character. But it can't have been Woody Guthrie who was accompanying him on that night. Woody's only recorded visit to Europe happened while he was a merchant seaman during WW2 - during which, incidentally, he managed to get a gig on the BBC's "Children's Hour" radio programme!

Alex's companion at the Opera was probably either Rambling Jack Elliot, or Derrol Adams, both of whom busked in Paris with Alex in the '50s and '60s.

McGrath's comments about Alex's importance as a catalyst for the folk revival in the UK, and as a stimulus for the wider appreciation of British and American folk music on the European continent, I fully agree with.

Sadly, many of Alex's commercially released recordings were made in haste, with limited studio facilities, and did not reflect the full power and charm of his live performances. And even these old disks, inadequate as they are, are mostly unavailable at present.

Any live recordings of Alex in full flow - particularly if they include the patter between the songs - should be made publicly available for the benefit of posterity. (And also for the economic benefit of Alex's family - sadly, it's too late for him now.)

Alex was a good man - not flawless, but which of us is? - a generous friend, and a superb entertainer. I still miss him, as do many others.

Wassail!