Audio CD review:
Townes Van Zandt - Rear View Mirror, Vol. 2

Townes Van Zandt - Rear View Mirror, Vol. 2

Band: Townes Van Zandt Title: Rear View Mirror, Vol. 2 Rating: Release Date: 28 September, 2004 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Who Do You Love 2: Greensboro Woman 3: Jole Blon 4: Come Tomorrow 5: Brand New Companion 6: None But The Rain 7: Hello Central 8: Blue Wind Blew 9: I’ll Be Here In The Morning 10: Catfish Song 11: Loretta 12: Rake 13: Texas River Song 14: No Deal 15: Snowin On Raton 16: Tecumseh Valley 17: Coo Coo 18: No Lonesome Tune

Customer Reviews Little Gems Yes the sound is spotty on a "few" tracks, and so intros are cut off, but the opener "Who Do You Love", and "Jole Blone" & "Brand New Companion-Cocaine" are the best I have heard, and I have heard plenty. I am going to have to disagree with the first review. It is worth the ticket price for the improving Townes does lyrically on "Cocaine" I have never heard the like. What no one has mentioned is that these recordings offer a chance to hear Townes with a band, a rare thing. The band is not on every track, but they are on many. Usually it is a solo outing, as he prefered to be more mobile. Also these tracks are from the 80's early 90's before Townes "Bones" could be heard in his voice. Very little live stuff survives from the 80's. In the end, Townes studio records never did him any kind of justice (with the exception of "At My Window"). I firmly believe in blowing them off and seeking out the live material. This is a keeper. Also recommended: Highway Kind: Very dark and recorded at end of Townes life. Rare Songs, great "Still Looking For You" & Guy Clark's "Dublin's Blues" Roadsongs: Excellent Covers like "Dead Flowers" "Racing In The Streets" "Ira Hayes" "Indian Cowboy" Live and Obscure: Come back show in early 80's after 8 years MIA. Chilling version of "Nothing" with a ghostly flute. Best "Pancho & Lefty" yet released. Live at Union Chapel: Wonderful show from 1994 in London, rare songs, great sound. A real winner. Recorded before his big decline in health. Rearview Mirror 1: The classic Townes Songbook, A+ Recording. Essential. The Sound Quality on This Is Just Fine Instead, with the exception of a little distortion on the guitar once or twice, the sound is, under the circumstances, pristine. From the prior review I expected something along the lines of some of the Stooges or MC5 stuff released on Bomp and Revenge, some dodgy semi-legit Johnny Thunders release, or the plethora of Hawkwind product. The liner notes indicate that this record was compiled and supervised by Townes' long-time friend and manager and approved by Townes prior to his death. You know whether you need it or not (c'mon you know you do). . . You can see a complete list of all Townes Van Zandt discography, or go back to the Townes Van Zandt tabs