Basically Al, I think its that visionary thing that makes a unique artist like Paul. Lots of us can play the notes - some of us can play all the notes (not necssarily in the right order!).

guys like Paul and Bert Jansch and Django - they may not have all the shots, but they see shots that people like myself would never dream existed. Its that Alex Higgins thing. Steve Davis had probably more technical prowess, but on his day Alex would envision shots that nobody else would have thought of.

the thing about brilliance is that it comes in flashes. there are thoughtful divergent thinkers who play the guitar, like Carthy and Ralph McTell. that's one kind of genius. Paul's talent is more mercurial and unexpected - the kind that makes you catch your breath.