Bob Dylan’s 1966 London tour led to a landmark 1967 D. A. Pennebaker film Don’t Look Back, in my opinion one of the greatest documentaries ever made.
The movie contains a fascinating scene in a hotel room with Dylan and Donovan. Donovan was a wonderful pop singer/songwriter, but (to paraphrase the late Senator Lloyd Bentsen), he was no Bob Dylan.
In the scene, Donovan plays a cute little song he wrote, after which Dylan performs “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”. The difference — between a mere entertainer and a great genius at the peak of his powers — is stark, and almost shocking.
Today I spent several hours talking with Bret Victor, during which we each shared our respective demos/prototypes and discussed thoughts and ideas for the future. The experience was wonderful and exhilarating.
And I felt like Donovan. 🙂