Hank The Drifter

Alright, I've been slacking on this due to lack of determination, but I'm up to doing a little write up on my current obsession, Townes Van Zandt. I'm not going to write a review, but I'm going to write 'Why' I've been enjoying him.

Townes Van Zandt is one of the greatest overlooked artists out there. Townes wrote great songs, and had a style of his very own. I guess in some ways that's alright though, him being overlooked, because that's what it seemed like he wanted. He seemed to be one of those musicians that wanted to play his music and if people enjoyed it and listened that was a plus. He never seemed to want to be something he wasn't. From my understanding of Townes he was born into a fairly wealthy home, but Townes didn't like that lifestyle. He wanted to be a drifter and do his own thing, and this made him really interesting in my eyes. I think I'm so interested in this because I'm almost the same way, I just want to be alone, and just do my own thing. Townes fought with addiction, and though I've never fought with such struggles, I find musicians/people with addiction issues to normally be fairly interesting to read about.

Townes discography is one catalog that seems perfect or at least in my eyes. Townes was a very strong songwriter and influenced by some of my very favorites, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, and Muddy Waters, and even though he was influenced by so many great musicians and could have just ripped them off Townes didn't. Townes has a style that's pretty original. Townes has that rough edge on his voice that I really like to hear in Country/Folk acts of this sort. I hate hearing an overly polished voice.

My first Townes albums were his second, Our Mother the Mountain, and third album, Townes Van Zandt, which are still probably my two favorite. I've listened to all of the studio albums by Townes, and a number of live albums. I honestly can't say I dislike anything about any of them.

If you're looking to get into Townes, I suggest Our Mother the Mountain.

Sorry for the kinda crumby write up, I will hopefully get in a more detailed one, or review up later.

__________________
“If a song can't be written in 20 minutes, it ain't worth writing.” - Hank Williams