Audio CD review:
Townes Van Zandt - Anthology 1968-1979

Townes Van Zandt - Anthology 1968-1979

Band: Townes Van Zandt Title: Anthology 1968-1979 Rating: Release Date: 17 July, 2001 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Be Here To Love Me 2: Kathleen 3: Our Mother The Mountain 4: St. John The Gambler 5: Snake Mountain Blues 6: For The Sake Of Song 7: Waiting Around To Die 8: Don't Take It Too Bad 9: Colorado Girl 10: I'll Be Here In The Morning 11: None ButThe Rain 12: Delta Momma Blues 13: Turnstyled, Junkpiled 14: Tower Song 15: Come Tomorrow 16: Brand New Companion 17: Where I Lead Me 18: Two Hands 19: Standin' 20: No Deal 21: To Live Is To Fly 22: Mr. Gold And Mr. Mud 23: High And Low And In-Between 24: No Lonesome Tune 25: Don't Let The Sunshine Fool Ya; 26: Honky Tonkin' 27: Fraulein 28: Pancho And Lefty 29: If I Needed You 30: Heavenly Houseboat Blues 31: Fraternity Blues (live) 32: Tecumseh Valley (Blues) 33: Lunge (live) 34: Only Him Or Me (live) 35: Loretta 36: No Place To Fall 37: Flyin' Shies 38: Who Do You Love 39: When She Don't Need Me 40: Snake Song

Editoral Review Van Zandt is a defining figure in the world of the modern Texas troubadour; his road-weary blend of country, folk, and blues sensibilities has influenced a range of likeminded artists from contemporaries such as Guy Clark and Ray Wylie Hubbard to younger disciples such as Steve Earle and Robert Earl Keen. The late singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt is a revered, nearly mythological figure among devoted fans and musicians alike, and this collection proves his reputation is well earned. This two-disc, 40-song set is an excellent introduction to the man's music, featuring a large selection of his most memorable songs and focusing on his peak 1971-1972 period. Covering the decade during which Van Zandt had what could almost be considered a "conventional" recording career for the Poppy and Tomato labels, Anthology may surprise those only familiar with his later live recordings--his voice is less worn, the performances are less informal. Van Zandt's searching, mysterious narratives and downhearted ballads for which he's best known have a fatalism and an utter lack of self-pity that make them especially endearing, and they're balanced with just the right amount of warmth and humor. --Marc Greilsamer .. You can see a complete list of all Townes Van Zandt discography, or go back to the Townes Van Zandt tabs