Audio CD review:
Townes Van Zandt - Last Rights: The Life & Times of Townes Van Zandt

Townes Van Zandt - Last Rights: The Life & Times of Townes Van Zandt

Band: Townes Van Zandt Title: Last Rights: The Life & Times of Townes Van Zandt Rating: Release Date: 10 June, 1997 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Blaze's Blues 2: The Homeless- Dialog 3: Marie 4: Life-Dialog 5: The Hole 6: Cowboy Junkies Lament 7: Pancho & Lefty Story-Dialog 8: Panco & Lefty 9: Lightin' Hopkins-Dialog 10: Brand New Champion 11: Tecumseh Valley 12: Wedding Song & Hits-Dialog 13: If I Needed You 14: I'll Be Here In The Morning 15: Waitin' Round To Die 16: Seeds, Roots & Sprouts 17: One man House Band At The Jester Lounge 18: Early Influences 19: Under The Influences 20: Pancho, Lefty & Townes 21: Somebody Had To Write It 22: Exiles, Exists & Endings 23: Ghost Harp & Concertina

Editoral Review Given its sepulchral title and the fact that it was recorded the year before he died, this set has the feel of a farewell note. Last Rights is an odd but enlightening "CD documentary" of the Texas singer-songwriter's life and work produced by Chinga Chavin, a crazed Texan in the Kinky Friedman mold. Throughout its 23 cuts, newly recorded solo versions of Van Zandt's best-known tunes--"Tecumseh Valley" and "If I Needed You" among them--are interspersed with poignant and honest comments. He tells the story of how he wrote "Pancho & Lefty" and explains how Lightnin' Hopkins influenced his music. The Hopkins interview snippet is followed by "Brand New Companion," the memorable tribute tune Van Zandt wrote to Hopkins using many of the Houston bluesman's most identifiable songwriting characteristics. Another highlight is a version of "Cowboy Junkies Lament," a tune he wrote to the Canadian band after a shared tour. The final interview segments offer wonderful insight into how bright and emotionally intuitive this irreplaceable songwriter really was. Ultimately, Last Rights is a valuable addition to any serious Van Zandt fan's collection. --Robert Baird .. You can see a complete list of all Townes Van Zandt discography, or go back to the Townes Van Zandt tabs