Don, Guthrie WAS! Dylan IS! ;-)

That's an excellent article, Ed. What Dylan did in adapting and building on the existing musical traditions all around him was no different than what a great many others did, except in 2 respects...

It was better done than most.

And it was far more successful, that being the major reason it has drawn so much criticism from various quarters. Unsuccessful writers and performers don't draw much notice or criticism from anyone, but the very best draw a veritable storm of both positive and negative reactions from their fans and their detractors. As for fans, hell hath no fury like a fan disappointed in his expectations.... ("Judas!")