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Townes Van Zandt

I finished reading a book about Townes just today, one I purchased more than a year ago, but picked up just a few days back. Its by his road manager/friend, and its wonderful.

I have always loved his music, but had a foggy picture of the man. No longer. The man, the music, just wonderful. And tragic. As is the book. I have pulled out my TVZ music and have been re-discovering it, re-interpreting it, in light of what I read in this great book.

My Years with Townes Van Zandt: Music, Genius, and Rage
by Harold F. Eggers with L.E. McCullough

I hope others here who appreciate TVZ will give it a read. I have the DVD of the movie about him, but the book has a lot more. A lot.

Saw/heard him just once, at the Bottom Line, NYC, in the 90s.
rpeluso
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
@edsyn, so you're saying that it doesn't end well for Lefty despite the fact that he ends up in Cleveland? 

Seriously, TVZ was a talent for sure.  I knew nothing of him prior to watching the PBS video, after which, I bought a copy of the Late Great Townes Van Zandt.  Great songwriting for sure.  He more than does justice to Hank Williams and the delta blues.  

For those of you who know his music well, what other albums should I be looking into?
big_greg
6,658 posts
 
On a somewhat related note, Lucinda Williams told me to watch the movie Blaze about Blaze Foley.  Townes Van Zandt is a central character in the story.  Oh, and it was at a concert of Lucinda's, so she told a few thousand other people to check it out. 
trentmemphis
282 posts
 
@brownsfan , I recommend Rearview Mirror.  It was the first Townes I ever heard.  I was in a music store in Iowa City, and they had it playing on the PA. I went over to the guy and said, "What is this??"   He grinned and said, "I know, isn't it great?"

I've seen some negative reviews on it, but they didn't ring true to me.  The thing I like about it is there's very little production involved.  It's very stripped down and simple and immediate, which, if you ask me, is exactly how his music ought to sound. 
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
@trentmephis, I picked up Rearview and got a listen last night.  Really good.  Thanks for the recommendation.   TVZ was a really talent.
trentmemphis
282 posts
 
Thrilled you're enjoying it!  That's very gratifying.  Music recommendations are really hard, even when limited to a single performer.

Indeed he was.  Talented and tragic.
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