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An Starters Guide to Townes Van Zandt


GRIFT

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”Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.” - Steve Earle

"I've met Bob Dylan and his bodyguards, and I don't think Steve could get anywhere near his coffee table." - Townes Van Zandt.

Anyone who has been on this board for more than a cup of coffee has probably heard me talk about the music of Townes Van Zandt. His songs have accompanied me on many a weary road and have been a constant companion for my life's many highs, lows, and in betweens. In many ways, I think anyone who hears Townes and "gets it" becomes more than a fan -- you become a disciple and there is a missionary like instinct to share His with a capital 'H's works, which at times can be a frustrating enterprise. Due to a number of factors (covered in greater detail in the excellent film Be Here To Love Me) Townes had a great deal of trouble keeping his records in print and while others have had great success covering and reappropriating his music, Townes never really had a breakthrough single or album.

As a result, he has
one of the most intimidating and sprawling song books in all of modern music and it is not entirely uncommon for a song (or several songs) to appear in a number of incarnations from one studio album to the next.

Below I have a sort of Starters Guide playlist I made for Spotify. This playlist is meant to be a comprehensive entry point for anyone who is interested in seeing why he has such an ardent cult following but it might be a fun follow for folks like Hobo and Skummy as well. Beyond having a fairly representative body of his work, each song I've included is what I consider the "definitive" recording or each.

I have a few other lists like this for other artist that I might share if this is well received.

http://open.spotify.com/user/1246011431/playlist/5NF36flkcOlOTheksOab1Z

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Really good, comprehensive list too. I don't really use Spotify, but I should maybe have a stab at doing something lieke this one day.

For the record, my favourite Townes songs - all of which made your playlist - are "Lungs", "No Place To Fall" and, especially, "Rake", which may well be my favourite song in the world.

Other things worth checking out include...

"Townes" by Steve Earle; an album of Townes Van Zandt covers, one disc acoustic, one with the full band.

Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee - the "East London Bluegrass" band featuring Darren Hayman of Hefner, and Dave from The Wave Pictures, covered a few of Townes' best tracks on their album, and served as a nice entry point for me.

And, as a potential entry point for some of the more metal-oriented of EWB; Wino, Scott Kelly and Steve Von Till (the latter two being out of off of Neurosis) did an album of Townes covers, and a follow-up is due out including John Baizley (of Baroness) and Nate Hall (of a bunch of stuff), and it's bloody brilliant.

Here's the review I wrote of their Record Store Day release, mostly just as an excuse to talk about Townes Van Zandt for a bit;

http://www.subba-cultcha.com/music/john-baizley-nate-hall-steve-von-till-scott-kelly-songs-of-townes-van-zandt-10-out-now/

And here's Wino's version of Rake;

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Cowboy Junkies (because sousa likes no other bands!) did a bit on their third album where they did a song written by Townes specifically for them ("Cowboy Junkies Lament") followed by a song written by Michael Timmons about Townes ("Townes's Blues") followed by a cover of "To Live is to Fly." (which is linked here because it's my favorite of the three). That was where I first learned of him. I've liked nearly everything I've heard of him but I of course need to hear more, so thanks for this.

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I don't know much of Townes Van Zandt, I only had the Be Here To Love Me album, that was from the movie. I love it though.

So last night I decided to watch the movie itself, for the first time. Was really interesting, I enjoyed it. Much of it though is probably bullshit his friends and whatever are just saying to talk him up, no? And his story about how many times he's died or something sounds similarly fake. I could be wrong, though.

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I wouldn't be surprised if he'd come close to dying multiple times. Insane drug addict, alcoholic, etc. Dude drank a pint of vodka daily.

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