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Maybe more the latter than the former, but in the end, does it really matter? The bottom line is, I am part of a very small cultural minority in my state, even tho I'm a straight, white cis male. So in the end, I feel just as outnumbered and alienated, as I would if I were black or queer. BTW, Iowa is 97% white, racially, to give you an idea of how much of a minority I am, culturally rather than racially.. and that's without even getting into politics, where I am a socialist in a solid red state... In case you're wondering why I've stayed here my whole life, it's because it's where all my friends are and have been my whole adult life, and I'm not interested in moving somewhere else where I don't know a soul. It's not easy to make a whole new set of friends, even after you're retired, in a new state... and the cost of living is low.. I'm a music and cultural snob, and proud of it!

BD, Are you really an outcast in Iowa? Or are you a . . .

BD, All I know about Art Garfunkel's association with Jimmy Webb is -- coincidentally -- his recording of Webb's song, All I Know, which appears on Garfunkel's first solo album Angel Clare. I had that album and also Garfunkel's second solo effort Breakaway. The cover on that album was a photo of Garfunkel sandwiched between actresses Helena Kallianiotes and Laurie Bird. Kallianiotes was also a belly dancer; she is immortalized in the famous diner scene in Five Easy Pieces. Bird was romantically involved with Garfunkel. In 1979 she committed suicide in his apartment. My favorite track on Angel Clare is Traveling Boy, penned by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols who also composed my favorite Three Dog Night song, Out in the Country. I don't know what Garfunkel's voice sounds like these days. I'll take your word for it that it has deteriorated. As did Marianne Faithfull's. One recording artist who probably doesn't suffer that problem is Tom Waits.