TBT MUSIC!
Townes Van Zandt Revisted
TOWNES VAN ZANDT
A Far Cry From Dead
(Arista Records, 1998)
The late Townes Van Zandt was truly an Americana and honky-tonk folk legend. Having played all over this great land of ours, never reaching the mega arena of a Woodie, Waylon, or Willie, but certainly influencing numerous songwriting brethren. Just ask his number one disciple, Steve Earle.
“Townes Van Zandt’s the best songwriter in the world, and I’ll stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.” — Steve Earle
This posthumous release compiled and executive produced by his widow Jeanette is sort of a best of comprised of songs that Townes recorded between 1989 and the year of his death in1996. They were originally recorded with just his voice and acoustic guitar. Producer Eric Paul then assembled a top-notch roots rock band to add some color and backbeats to the songs.
The recordings were completed from DAT tapes given to producer Paul by Townes' widow, Jeanene. The beloved Richard Bennett played guitar with contributions from drummer Kenny Malone and harmonicaist Charlie McCoy. (Charlie played on many of Dylan’s Sixties recordings, including Nashville Skyline.)
These are songs that shoot straight from the heart and are left unpolished by the standard Nashville production gleam. Townes’ voice sits comfortably up front in the mix, with just enough background instrumentation to add the right color and texture to the proceedings.
“Sanitarium Blues” is simply one of the most haunting pieces he’s ever recorded, a firsthand account of something he no doubt lived through. “Pancho & Lefty,” a hit record for Waylon & Willie, is reprised here as well, proving that a great song never dies. In fact, all of these songs have rightfully been reborn.
Written and released in 1968 on his self-titled album, “Waiting Around To Die” is the other standout track. Townes’ aching vocals are even more evocative than when originally recorded.
The shame of the matter is that, in our icon-driven society, it often takes the untimely death of our great artists to receive the recognition they so deserved while they were alive.