In opening for TVZ at the Earl of Old Town in Chicago 1979 I can't help but be reminded of a quote out of the book 'Learning To Fly. "You're just a mean drunk, Townes." That he was, that he was. Funny, how Blaze Foley who befriended me in Chicago around the same time was considered a loud, obnoxious hanger-on to TVZ's coattails. He taught me "Election Day' and gave me permission to write a 3d verse to it. I did and it's long forgotten. At the time Townes was considerd 'the real deal' and Blaze was a joke. Towns was a privledged, moneyed snot w/a great gift which he squaudered, mostly. Blaze was from the streets and came up hard. Ultimately, his songs are being discovered and he's taking his place among the greats of the era. Prine, Guy Clark, VanZant, Foley. Personally, wouldn't give ya $0.30 for Clark OR Van Zant as people. John's John and worth his weight in gold, but the diamond was undoubtedly Blaze Foley. Just took everybody else over 30 years to catch up. He lived every word because he had no options, TVZ lived every word as a response to his. THAT'S the difference between privledge and privation. Townes makes one think. Blaze makes one FEEL. And Tom Dundee was better, lesser known and more literate than ALL of 'em. Same w/Micheal Smith. Not to mention Al Day. Dig a little deeper.