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Post subject: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:52 am
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Hello all! This post is pretty self-explanatory, so... anyone? One of my teachers burned me a Townes Van Zandt CD, and I must say it's got to be some of the best songwriting I've ever heard. His music certainly gives Bob Dylan a run for his money. He's one of the most under-appreciated artists of the past century.

For those who don't know who he is, give "To Live is to Fly", "Our Mother the Mountain", "Lungs", and "Caroline" a listen. Let me know what you think. Even if you don't like the style of music (sort of a folk/country blend, similar to John Prine) you will certainly be able to appreciate the lyrics.

I just want to introduce as many people to Townes as possible. Later I may try to find the songs on youtube if anyone has trouble finding them. Enjoy!

-Jake :P

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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:33 am
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Uh... he died almost 15 years ago at a very young 52.

Had a terminal case of Road Weariness w/ it's inherent alcohol and drug abuse.

A troubled soul, he was nonetheless covered by many of the greats in Folk, Country and Western, Blues, even Dylan and Robt. Plant did covers. Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard got one of his songs to a #1 spot on the Country charts back in the '80s.

Personally, I'm not much of a fan.

A Tragic Figure really.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:45 pm
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Yes i know he died in 98, 97? Anyway, yes he did live a very tragic life. In his early 20s, he recieved shock therapy for some sort of psychological problem and it knocked out his long term memory. Pancho and Lefty is the song you're talking about. Forgot to mention that.

-Jake :P

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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:52 pm
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Townes Van Zandt was Steve Earle's biggest influence and in Townes' later years,Steve befriended him and the two became as close as a father and son ever could. Steve even named his son Townes in honor of his friend/hero/mentor. Van Zandt was another genius who largely slipped under the radar basically undetected.

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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:43 pm
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Genius might be a bit of a stretch...

Given his disorderly brain function, the result of Insulin Shock therapy as a kid, I might go with Savant (had he shown any predisposition to Music prior to this therapy?). But I'm not sure Genius applies here...

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:52 pm
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I am a casual fan of Mr. Van Zandt; I like most of his writings and quite a few of his recordings.

Many people (understandably) dislike his music, especially based on some his recordings. There was some dubious production values...the fact that he wasn't exactly Pavarotti is sometimes held against him, too (although Dylan doesn't exactly have golden pipes, either)...

If you don't like him, that's fine,..but to entirely dismiss him based on some emotional issues and substance abuse issues isn't right. Would you do the same for Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin or (Brian) Jones?

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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:57 am
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I know he wrote Poncho and Lefty sung by Willie Nelson.


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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:27 pm
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Screamin' Armadillo wrote:
I am a casual fan of Mr. Van Zandt; I like most of his writings and quite a few of his recordings.

Many people (understandably) dislike his music, especially based on some his recordings. There was some dubious production values...the fact that he wasn't exactly Pavarotti is sometimes held against him, too (although Dylan doesn't exactly have golden pipes, either)...

If you don't like him, that's fine,..but to entirely dismiss him based on some emotional issues and substance abuse issues isn't right. Would you do the same for Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin or (Brian) Jones?


I think you're making a linkage which does not exist.

I don't care much for his work... period.

Any demons he may or may not have carried through life is not really any concern to me.

I only mention them to explain an untimely death at 52.

One may also wonder, since he did have some bright spots in his career, what the body of his work might have been without these vices, or less of them.

And yes, the same ponderance applies to Elvis, Townshend, Jimi, Janis, Jim Morrison, Otis, Keith Moon, Brian Jones, Keefer, and on and on and on...

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:56 pm
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Screamin' Armadillo wrote:
I am a casual fan of Mr. Van Zandt; I like most of his writings and quite a few of his recordings.

Many people (understandably) dislike his music, especially based on some his recordings. There was some dubious production values...the fact that he wasn't exactly Pavarotti is sometimes held against him, too (although Dylan doesn't exactly have golden pipes, either)...

If you don't like him, that's fine,..but to entirely dismiss him based on some emotional issues and substance abuse issues isn't right. Would you do the same for Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin or (Brian) Jones?


this...

who cares...

if you don't like him stay...out of the thread...

happy mlk day to all on the boards!

8) 8) 8)


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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:16 pm
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Lightnin MN wrote:
Screamin' Armadillo wrote:
I am a casual fan of Mr. Van Zandt; I like most of his writings and quite a few of his recordings.
Many people (understandably) dislike his music, especially based on some his recordings. There was some dubious production values...the fact that he wasn't exactly Pavarotti is sometimes held against him, too (although Dylan doesn't exactly have golden pipes, either)...
If you don't like him, that's fine,..but to entirely dismiss him based on some emotional issues and substance abuse issues isn't right. Would you do the same for Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin or (Brian) Jones?

I think you're making a linkage which does not exist.
I don't care much for his work... period.
Any demons he may or may not have carried through life is not really any concern to me.
I only mention them to explain an untimely death at 52.
One may also wonder, since he did have some bright spots in his career, what the body of his work might have been without these vices, or less of them.
And yes, the same ponderance applies to Elvis, Townshend, Jimi, Janis, Jim Morrison, Otis, Keith Moon, Brian Jones, Keefer, and on and on and on...
cheers!

Thanks for the clarification; as I mentioned earlier, I'm a casual fan (not rabid or especially enthusiastic), but I like him enough to wonder if many (or even any) people have even heard anything by Van Zandt outside of the Nelson/Haggard collaboration.

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Post subject: Re: Who Has Heard of Townes Van Zandt?
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 11:03 pm
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I've got a few of his albums and a recent tribute album by Steve Earle. I think he was a great boozy storyteller poet that knew how to fingerpick, but his voice wasn't ever going to bring him legions of fans.

You've really got to be in the right mood to listen to his stuff... kinda like reading Bukowski or Kerouac. It helps to be drunk or hung-over :twisted:

Cheers,
Mark


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