If you are a Guy Clark fan / Without Getting Killed or Caught / Documentary

@77jovian thank you for the heads up on Verlon Thompson/Barnegie Hall, just pulled it up and sampled some of his tribute to Guy and loved what I saw and heard can't wait to make a little time and get into in depth. Enjoy the music

I’ve long been a fan of Verlon Thompson, who wrote and played alongside Guy for many years.  Verlon speaks very highly of his regard and friendship with Guy in his concerts and during a brief conversation I had with him before a show a couple years ago.  Can’t wait to see this documentary, thanks for mentioning it.  
 

And check out Barnegie Hall, Verlin’s short-lived series.  During each episode, he has a guest who is a Nashville songwriting legend.  Great stories and performances.

Rpeluso raises interesting and important issues regarding Guy Clark. I had read about the unique relationship between Guy, his wife, and Townes Van Zandt. The film creates a not very flattering impression of Guy.

I was late in discovering Guy and his music, and Townes as well. Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell hold both Guy and Townes in very high regard, far higher than do I. But as with all similar instances of differences of opinion regarding artistic merit, I characterize that as a failing on my part. My standards are based on my love of Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, and Iris DeMent.

Here is my email exchange with Tamara:

Hello, and thank you for the message with the book tour.  Unfortunately none are in my area.

However, I devoured your book, loved it, and right after re-watched the Guy documentary you made.

My feelings are that Kris was an absolutely lovely, loving and giving human.  

My take-away on Guy is that he was a talented but stuck-up/snob, especially when he said he could not sacrifice his artistic integrity for success, or some such nonsense.  He was a huge narcissist, in my view, tragically.  For contrast, I think Paul Simon is at least as talented as Guy was, and feel Paul never once sacrificed his artistic integrity, yet achieved far greater success as a songwriter than Guy ever did.  Perhaps Guy's close relationship with Townes had a negative effect on him.

In any case your works were very important to me, and I thank you.

Her response:  

Glad you liked the book. Guy was complicated. 

@rpeluso Guy Clark certainly had a few trouble souls to bounce off of in that group and like you I came away with a different view of him as well. @bdp24 I figured you had seen it.  Enjoy the music

I watched this film, and recently read the book by Tamara, one of the film's producers.  She discusses both Kris K and Guy, and they could not be more different.  Then I went back and watched this film again and came away with a different view on Guy, as someone who was narcissistic, maybe a bit angry, especially when he says he wanted to write a hit song but couldn't "compromise his artistic integrity".  I found that so telling.  As a contrast, I think Paul Simon (to name one of very many) never compromised his "artistic integrity" as a songwriter and had, well you know the rest.  Guy is a tragic figure of his own making, in my view.  I wonder if he was too close to Townes, who was an incredible song writer with a very dark view on things.  

Anyway, just my reaction.

I too just watched the film, last night. Fantastic.