I did enjoy the DVR book. I have only just finished it. Elijah Wald certainly has made a lovely tribute to the great man.

What makes the book so fascinating of course is the fact that Dave Van Ronk took his work very seriously and he obviously spent his life evaluating and re-evaluating - not just his own work, but also his place within the cultural landscape.

I don't really agree with one or two of his ideas, but they weren't the mindwaste from an idle pontificator - they were the ideas which he used every day of his working life.

They worked for him. I'm sure one or two of them will work for you and give you fresh insights, given the great vantage point that Van Ronk had on that folk world of the 1960's (where so many of us draw our inspiration from).

Dave Van Ronk's world isn't yours, but he was a literate, agile thinker who presented his music in an exciting and creative way.

I think any would be acoustic guitarist/singer /songwriter will find it a terrific read and immensely inspiring.

all the best

Big Al Whittle