"The overarching theme of the piece is (IMHO) that age-old question of balance: is the artistry of a Townes Van Zandt worth all the emotional wreckage left in his wake? The answer seems to be a qualified yes..."

I'm not sure if I agree with that. I am not sure if Van Zandt was capable of making a choice.   Addiction is not a choice. I am convinced that there is something genetic that prevents SOME people from making healthy choices.

Someone once put forth the idea that Woody Guthrie poured out so many songs in a relatively short timespan because his body was reacting to Huntington's. The disease was genetic, and it caused his creative side to put out as much "product" as possible before the body shuts down. Perhaps there is something to that. It might explain why these so-called "tortured souls" can produce beautiful art while their lives are crumbling.

I don't buy the theory that people have to suffer for their art, but I do think that there are people who have no choice in the matter.

I thought the documentary was superb - well edited and good conception. The story is told to appeal to both fans of the music and to people who may never have heard a Townes Van Zandt song. It works.

Ron