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~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 11-05-2010, 07:42 PM

Some music recommendations from a very diverse, yet cultured, part of the United States.

Townes Van Zandt

Townes Van Zandt (born John Townes Van Zandt, 1944 – died 1997) was a folk, country, and blues singer-songwriter from Fort Worth (he also lived in Austin and Houston). For years during the 1960s and 70s, he traveled the country with nothing but his guitar and a backpack full of records. Releasing on the small, independent label Tomato, his albums were underground successes and popular amoung other songwriters of the blues and outlaw country movement. His modest living and his transient lifestyle have shrouded him in legend.

By the late 70s and into the 80s, Townes was becoming more and more recognized as famous acts covered his music. His breakout song Pancho & Lefty was famously covered by Willy Nelson and Merle Haggard, as well as Emmylou Harris. Many of Townes' songs are now considered standards in their respective genres.

He was known by his friends for his dry sense of humour, somewhat withdrawn personality, and charm. He is also infamous for his addictions and occasionally eratic behaviour. Once while in his teens, he fell backwards off of a four story apartment building to experience the sensation of falling. His lifestyle of partying worried his parents, so they sent him a mental hospital in Galveston. Due to the innacurate medical advice at the time, he was ordered to under go insulin shock treatments - which erased his long term memory. When he came to, he didn't even recognize his own mother.

He continued to drink and feed his addictions throughout his life, and destroyed his chance at stardom several times. He eventually died of heart-failure in 1997, at the age of 51.

Music Sampler

Waitin 'Round to Die

Pancho and Lefty

St. John The Gambler

Where to Start

Live music is a very important part of Townes' catalog. Just as Johnny Cash sounded his best playing in front of inmates at Folsom, Townes music is best captured in the smokey dive bars he played his entire career.

Studio Albums to start:

Our Mother the Mountain
The Late Great Townes Van Zandt

Live Albums to start:

Live at the Old Quarter
Rear View Mirror

Films:

Be Here to Love Me - a documentary about his life.
Heartworn Highways - a documentary about the outlaw country movement which features a performance by him.

11-05-2010, 07:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,538	Music From Texas Some music recommendations from a very diverse, yet cultured, part of the United States. Townes Van Zandt Townes Van Zandt (born John Townes Van Zandt, 1944 – died 1997) was a folk, country, and blues singer-songwriter from Fort Worth (he also lived in Austin and Houston). For years during the 1960s and 70s, he traveled the country with nothing but his guitar and a backpack full of records. Releasing on the small, independent label Tomato, his albums were underground successes and popular amoung other songwriters of the blues and outlaw country movement. His modest living and his transient lifestyle have shrouded him in legend. By the late 70s and into the 80s, Townes was becoming more and more recognized as famous acts covered his music. His breakout song Pancho & Lefty was famously covered by Willy Nelson and Merle Haggard, as well as Emmylou Harris. Many of Townes' songs are now considered standards in their respective genres. He was known by his friends for his dry sense of humour, somewhat withdrawn personality, and charm. He is also infamous for his addictions and occasionally eratic behaviour. Once while in his teens, he fell backwards off of a four story apartment building to experience the sensation of falling. His lifestyle of partying worried his parents, so they sent him a mental hospital in Galveston. Due to the innacurate medical advice at the time, he was ordered to under go insulin shock treatments - which erased his long term memory. When he came to, he didn't even recognize his own mother. He continued to drink and feed his addictions throughout his life, and destroyed his chance at stardom several times. He eventually died of heart-failure in 1997, at the age of 51. Music Sampler Waitin 'Round to Die Pancho and Lefty St. John The Gambler Where to Start Live music is a very important part of Townes' catalog. Just as Johnny Cash sounded his best playing in front of inmates at Folsom, Townes music is best captured in the smokey dive bars he played his entire career. Studio Albums to start: Our Mother the Mountain The Late Great Townes Van Zandt Live Albums to start: Live at the Old Quarter Rear View Mirror Films: Be Here to Love Me - a documentary about his life. Heartworn Highways - a documentary about the outlaw country movement which features a performance by him. Last edited by someonecompletelyrandom; 11-05-2010 at 08:49 PM.