a story that i heard alex tell bemused me.

he said, when he was a young guy he went with his friends to see Big Bill Broonzy. he and his friends were really impressed by Broonzy's ability to put away vast quantities of whisky, and they figured this is what you did if you were going to be a real folksinger.

it was only later, he realised that at the time, Big Bill was suffering and in pain with cancer. the whisky was a self medication. it dulled the pain, and also it was a way of getting some calories into his body - which could no longer take food, in effect fooling his body.

i wonder what other people make of that one. i suppose Ewan would know as apparently - Broonzy stopped with him.