Jim, thanks.
The quote was a pull out of the hat, and not meant to be directed specifically. Robin Frederick, who was a friend of ND, has done some amazing analyses of a couple of his songs if you are interested.
www.robinfrederick.com You'll see the links to the left on her home page.
Glad you're enjoying him more this time, and sincerely understand where you're coming from regarding not including him on AM. Related to your personal experience with ND, when I first heard him in the mid 70's, I didn't have an immediate connection with the music. Had to come back a few years later.
Agree about Pink Moon.
If you want to listen further, I suggest "Time of No Reply". This is a posthumous collection of demos and previously unreleased material. The last four songs: Rider on the Wheel, Black Eyed Dog, Hanging on a Star, and Voice from the Mountain, were the last he recorded in a studio, before his death. They are probably the most emotionally vulnerable songs I've ever had the privilege of hearing. Bring a hankie.
Still haven't got the complete hang on posting on the forums yet, so hope this goes through...