Our Mother the Mountain

Amazon.com essential recording
After a wobbly debut, this indispensable Texas troubadour bounced back in 1969 with a sophomore disc that shows his songwriting style--audibly influenced by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and any number of Texas bluesmen--emerging via a batch of memorable originals. His straightforward hound-dog vocals were never more affecting than on the early discs. An overabundance of atmospheric flute accompaniment mars the orchestration, but this is one of the few violin-laden folk albums from the late '60s that still holds up, at times projecting a dusty, Western aura, at others a more formal, almost classical vibe. The parade of classic Van Zandt tunes continues here with a second, more fully realized try at "St. John the Gambler," "Tecumseh Valley," and one of his earliest original talking blues songs, "Snake Mountain Blues." Like that of all Van Zandt discs, the tone here is mournful from start to finish, but once you're hooked it becomes an essential part of the sweetness and greatness of this irreplaceable songwriter. --Robert Baird

Product Description:
His second album, originally released in 1968 on Poppy Records. Its deeply reflective lyrics set Van Zandt apart from other songwriters of his generation by exploring haunted corners of the human condition with stark, literary precision. Digitally remastered. Tomato Records. 2003.

Our Mother the Mountain,Townes Van Zandt,Tomato Music,Folk,Folk & Traditional,Pop,Progressive Country,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating:

Our Mother the Mountain Townes Van Zandt Manufacturer: Fat Possum [Old] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Townes Van Zandt Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas Delta Momma Blues Flyin' Shoes High, Low And In Between/Late Great ASIN: B000OZ2CZ2 Release Date: 2007-05-15

Tracks:

1. Be Here to Love Me
2. Kathleen
3. She Came and She Touched Me
4. Like a Summer Thursday
5. Our Mother the Mountain
6. Second Lover's Song
7. St. John the Gambler
8. Tecumseh Valley
9. Snake Mountain Blues
10. My Proud Mountains
11. Why She's Acting This Way

Average customer rating:

John Langstaff Sings Archival Folk Collection Manufacturer: Revels Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00068CUQS Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

1. O Waly, Waly/The Water Is Wide, I Cannot Get O'er
2. Carrion Crow
3. All 'Round My Had I Will Wear a Green Willow
4. Cruel Mother
5. Farmer's Curst Wife
6. Riddle Song/I Will Give My Love an Apple
7. Lord Rendal
8. Billy Boy
9. Croodin' Doo
10. John Barleycorn
11. Lover's Tasks
12. Green Wedding
13. She's Like the Swallow
14. John Riley

Tracks:

1. Bonnie Wee Thing
2. Pretty Sally
3. Two Brothers
4. Teh Deaf Woman's Courtship
5. At the Foot of Yonders Mountain
6. Rich Old Lady
7. There Was a Man in Our Town
8. Baby Bunting
9. When I Was a Little Boy
10. Rosey Boy, Posey Boy
11. Frog Went Courtin'
12. Dn Lover
13. Jockie to the Fair
14. Pretty Sally

Tracks:

1. False Knight Upon the Road
2. Little Turtle Dove
3. Seventeen Come Sunday
4. Sir Patrick Spens
5. Blow Away the Morning Dew
6. Trees They Do Grow High
7. Crawfish Man's Street City
8. She Moved Through the Fair
9. Golden Vanity
10. Rich Old Lady
11. Nottamun Town
12. John Barleycorn
13. Jolly Ploughboy
14. St. James Hospital
15. Brisk Young Widow
16. Six Dukes Went A-Fishing

Tracks:

1. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
2. Bingo
3. I Wish I Was a Child Again
4. Hares on the Mountain
5. Two Magicians
6. Trees They Do Grow High
7. Lady Maisry
8. Edward
9. As I Walked Through the Meadows
10. Lark in the Morn
11. Gypsy Laddie
12. Go and Tell Aunt Nancy
13. Soldier, Soldier, Won't You Marry Me?
14. Cripple Creek Girls
15. Tottenham Toad
16. Frog in the Well
17. Dance to Your Daddy
18. As I Was Going to Banbury
19. Swapping Song
20. Dashing Away With the Smoothing Iron
21. O My Love, Will You Wear Red?
22. Frog and the Mouse
23. Cocky Robin
24. What'll We Do With the Baby?
25. Mocking Bird (Hush Up, Baby)
26. Bye, Bye Baby
27. Tiny Man
28. Weekdays and Sundays
29. Oh Jacky, Stand Still
30. Turn Round, Turn Round
31. Basket Full of Nuts
32. Our Baby Prince
33. All the Ducks
34. Polly Perkin
35. Follow the Leader
36. Poor Doggie
37. Baby's Song

Album Description

John Langstaff, now 83 years of age, is the founder and director emeritus of Revels, the non-profit performing arts company that produces Revels Records as well as 'The Christmas Revels' annual winter solstice celebrations in 12 cities across the country. This is the complete collection of Langstaff's disc, featuring all four acclaimed previously re-released CDs originally recorded in England. The recordings have been digitally re-mastered at London's famed Abbey Road Studios. Included are many traditional British and American folk songs and ballads, most with simple, art song settings. Legendary pianists Sir Gerald Moore, Sam Mason and John Powell, as well as guitarist Martin Best, are featured.

Average customer rating:

Emmanuel: Songs of Burgundy Manufacturer: Marco Polo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B00000465R Release Date: 1997-05-13

Tracks:

1. Chez Jean Nicot
2. Le Veigneron
3. Quand J'eto Chez Mon Peire
4. Complainte De Notre-Dame
5. Eine Mechante Aifare
6. II Estait Une Fille
7. C'ast Les Gens De Bouze
8. J'ai Vu Le Loup
9. Les Feill's De Claivoillon
10. Noel
11. Lorsque J'aivions Des Noisettes
12. Le Pommier D'Aout
13. Lai Maoh Mariee
14. I T'airai, Mai Brunette
15. Guillenle, Bia Guillenle
16. Quand J'ai Soti De Mon Villaige
17. Mai Grand Meire, Qui N'evot Qu' Eun' Dent
18. Lai Treue Guereille
19. L'etat Des Feilles
20. Aidieu, Bargeire
21. Guignolot D'Saint Lazot
22. La Hiaut Sur Lai Montagne
23. Meire, Botez Le Chien Queure
24. V'la Que I'aloueutte Chante
25. Le R'venant Vivant
26. Belle, I M'en Vas En I'Aillemaigne
27. M'y Allant Promener
28. Les Mois De I'annee
29. Ai Lai Feite D'Echairnant
30. La Mer' Godichon

Average customer rating:

Music In Our House Manufacturer: Women's Chorus Dalla ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sondheim, Stephen | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005YODI Release Date: 1997-11-04

Average customer rating: Our Mother the Mountain A small thank-you to Norah Jones, and a huge one to Townes Talkin' Misguided Taste Blues Talkin' Misguided Taste Blues Our Mother A Frozen Moment In American Music

Our Mother the Mountain Townes Van Zandt Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love Me At My Window High, Low And In Between/Late Great For the Sake of the Song: First Album Townes Van Zandt ASIN: B00000330K Release Date: 1994-04-12

Tracks:

1. Be Here To Love Me
2. Kathleen
3. She Came And She Touched Me
4. Like A Summer Thurdsday
5. Our Mother The Mountain
6. Second Lovers Song
7. St. John The Gambler
8. Tecumseh Valley
9. Snake Mountain Blues
10. My Proud Mountains
11. Why She's Acting This Way

Amazon.com essential recording

After a wobbly debut, this indispensable Texas troubadour bounced back in 1969 with a sophomore disc that shows his songwriting style--audibly influenced by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and any number of Texas bluesmen--emerging via a batch of memorable originals. His straightforward hound-dog vocals were never more affecting than on the early discs. An overabundance of atmospheric flute accompaniment mars the orchestration, but this is one of the few violin-laden folk albums from the late '60s that still holds up, at times projecting a dusty, Western aura, at others a more formal, almost classical vibe. The parade of classic Van Zandt tunes continues here with a second, more fully realized try at "St. John the Gambler," "Tecumseh Valley," and one of his earliest original talking blues songs, "Snake Mountain Blues." Like that of all Van Zandt discs, the tone here is mournful from start to finish, but once you're hooked it becomes an essential part of the sweetness and greatness of this irreplaceable songwriter. --Robert Baird

Album Description

2002 digitally remastered reissue of 1969 album. 11 tracks including the classic 'Tecumseh'.

Customer Reviews:

Our Mother the Mountain.......2007-03-02

First, I would like to say that these accusations of overproduction concerning this album are absolutely preposterous. Our Mother the Mountain may be one of the most unique and tastefully arranged pieces of work that I've ever come across. Of course it's a tad bit different and somewhat quirky..meet Mr. Townes Van Zandt.

I will be the first to admit that his first recording effort, "For the Sake of the Song," was far from his best. The treatments given to those beautiful songs by the studio producers responsible were terribly misguided. In this, his second effort, everything is as it should be.

It's not every day that you stumble upon a work that immediately re-defines your sense of what music should sound like. The lush landscapes created here by Townes' captivatingly tasteful and skillful guitar playing combined with the accompanying string sections, flutes, harmonicas, and bass provide an ever-gentle foundation for some of the most geniuinely stark, poignant, and poetic lyrical passages about America ever laid to wax.

By all means, get it.. if you can find it.

A small thank-you to Norah Jones, and a huge one to Townes.......2004-08-06

I've got most of Townes' stuff, but had never heard 'Be Here to Love Me' until I heard it on the recent Norah Jones 'Feels Like Home' CD ... which is actually pretty damn good itself.
Which has naturally made me track down Townes' original version.
I was lucky enough to see Townes twice, a couple of years apart I think, at small concert venues all the way down here in New Zealand, and his effect on the audience in the quieter passages was such that you could have heard a pin drop. Funnily enough, I remember chatting to one of the concert promoters a while after the second show, and asking him if they had plans to get Townes back... he smiled, shook his head and said 'he was just too much hard work'.

Talkin' Misguided Taste Blues.......2002-05-10

I've never written a review before, but after seeing some of the earlier ones, I decided that I just had to say something, and say it loudly. Here it goes: THIS IS THE TOWNES RECORD FOR NEWBIES TO PURCHASE. The arrangements are absolutely excellent. I cannot stress this point enough.

I am absolutely mystified as to how anyone could criticize this record on the basis of its arrangements. It has much better strings going on than on the first record, and puts the arrangements on some of the later ones to shame. I love the majority of his records, but sometimes I would prefer to hear him solo than to hear the arrangements on say, Flyin' Shoes. Now THAT record is overproduced. Or, if you want to hear a record where his material is butchered beyond recognition, try the ambient textures of No Deeper Blue.

The arrangements on our Mother The Mountain fit the progression and mood of the album perfectly. Whether it be the opening steel guitar riffs on Be Here To Love Me, or the thick ominous strings harmonizing with Townes's guitar part in the opening measures of Kathleen, and so on down the line, the arrangements fit the material perfectly.

Along with this album, the other Townes studio record I absolutely adore as a beautiful, integrated, fully realized statement in terms of both songwriting and arrangement is High, Low And In Between. That record also has consistent arrangements throughout, with excellent drum and keyboard sounds. Buy this album and ignore the naysayers!

Talkin' Misguided Taste Blues.......2002-05-10

I've never written a review before, but after seeing some of the earlier ones, I decided that I just had to say something, and say it loudly. Here it goes: THIS IS THE TOWNES RECORD FOR NEWBIES TO PURCHASE. The arrangements are absolutely excellent. I cannot stress this point enough.

I am absolutely mystified as to how anyone could criticize this record on the basis of its arrangements. It has much better strings going on than on the first record, and puts the arrangements on some of the later ones to shame. I love the majority of his records, but sometimes I would prefer to hear him solo than to hear the arrangements on say, Flyin' Shoes. Now THAT record is overproduced. Or, if you want to hear a record where his material is butchered beyond recognition, try the ambient textures of No Deeper Blue.

The arrangements on our Mother The Mountain fit the progression and mood of the album perfectly. Whether it be the opening steel guitar riffs on Be Here To Love Me, or the thick ominous strings harmonizing with Townes's guitar part in the opening measures of Kathleen, and so on down the line, the arrangements fit the material perfectly.

Along with this album, the other Townes studio record I absolutely adore as a beautiful, integrated, fully realized statement in terms of both songwriting and arrangement is High, Low And In Between. That record also has consistent arrangements throughout, with excellent drum and keyboard sounds. Buy this album and ignore the naysayers!

Our Mother A Frozen Moment In American Music.......2001-10-01

Yea it's true, most people would say that the instrumentation on OUR MOTHER THE MOUNTAIN is intrusive, but after a few listens, it becomes subtle and even complimentary. The songs deal with themes of a dying way of life in the West. Corrupted innocence and destroyed beauty in a cold and getting colder world. As a whole, the album stands still like a painting or as in cinema. You walk in and cannot exit without riding all the rides. It is somber, honest and quite intimate. Definitely one of my favorites of all time. Gothic country folk. It'll change yr life.

Average customer rating: Our Mother the Mountain A small thank-you to Norah Jones, and a huge one to Townes Talkin' Misguided Taste Blues Talkin' Misguided Taste Blues Our Mother A Frozen Moment In American Music

Our Mother The Mountain Townes Van Zandt Manufacturer: Charly UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Country | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love Me At My Window High, Low And In Between/Late Great For the Sake of the Song: First Album Townes Van Zandt ASIN: B00000JHCH Release Date: 1999-07-01

Tracks:

1. Be Here to Love Me
2. Kathleen
3. She Came and She Touched Me
4. Like a Summer Thursday
5. Our Mother the Mountain
6. Second Lover's Song
7. St. John the Gambler
8. Tecumseh Valley
9. Snake Mountain Blues
10. My Proud Mountains
11. Why She's Acting This Way

Amazon.com essential recording

After a wobbly debut, this indispensable Texas troubadour bounced back in 1969 with a sophomore disc that shows his songwriting style--audibly influenced by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and any number of Texas bluesmen--emerging via a batch of memorable originals. His straightforward hound-dog vocals were never more affecting than on the early discs. An overabundance of atmospheric flute accompaniment mars the orchestration, but this is one of the few violin-laden folk albums from the late '60s that still holds up, at times projecting a dusty, Western aura, at others a more formal, almost classical vibe. The parade of classic Van Zandt tunes continues here with a second, more fully realized try at "St. John the Gambler," "Tecumseh Valley," and one of his earliest original talking blues songs, "Snake Mountain Blues." Like that of all Van Zandt discs, the tone here is mournful from start to finish, but once you're hooked it becomes an essential part of the sweetness and greatness of this irreplaceable songwriter. --Robert Baird

Album Description

2002 digitally remastered reissue of 1969 album. 11 tracks including the classic 'Tecumseh'.

Customer Reviews:

Our Mother the Mountain.......2007-03-02

First, I would like to say that these accusations of overproduction concerning this album are absolutely preposterous. Our Mother the Mountain may be one of the most unique and tastefully arranged pieces of work that I've ever come across. Of course it's a tad bit different and somewhat quirky..meet Mr. Townes Van Zandt.

I will be the first to admit that his first recording effort, "For the Sake of the Song," was far from his best. The treatments given to those beautiful songs by the studio producers responsible were terribly misguided. In this, his second effort, everything is as it should be.

It's not every day that you stumble upon a work that immediately re-defines your sense of what music should sound like. The lush landscapes created here by Townes' captivatingly tasteful and skillful guitar playing combined with the accompanying string sections, flutes, harmonicas, and bass provide an ever-gentle foundation for some of the most geniuinely stark, poignant, and poetic lyrical passages about America ever laid to wax.

By all means, get it.. if you can find it.

A small thank-you to Norah Jones, and a huge one to Townes.......2004-08-06

I've got most of Townes' stuff, but had never heard 'Be Here to Love Me' until I heard it on the recent Norah Jones 'Feels Like Home' CD ... which is actually pretty damn good itself.
Which has naturally made me track down Townes' original version.
I was lucky enough to see Townes twice, a couple of years apart I think, at small concert venues all the way down here in New Zealand, and his effect on the audience in the quieter passages was such that you could have heard a pin drop. Funnily enough, I remember chatting to one of the concert promoters a while after the second show, and asking him if they had plans to get Townes back... he smiled, shook his head and said 'he was just too much hard work'.

Talkin' Misguided Taste Blues.......2002-05-10

I've never written a review before, but after seeing some of the earlier ones, I decided that I just had to say something, and say it loudly. Here it goes: THIS IS THE TOWNES RECORD FOR NEWBIES TO PURCHASE. The arrangements are absolutely excellent. I cannot stress this point enough.

I am absolutely mystified as to how anyone could criticize this record on the basis of its arrangements. It has much better strings going on than on the first record, and puts the arrangements on some of the later ones to shame. I love the majority of his records, but sometimes I would prefer to hear him solo than to hear the arrangements on say, Flyin' Shoes. Now THAT record is overproduced. Or, if you want to hear a record where his material is butchered beyond recognition, try the ambient textures of No Deeper Blue.

The arrangements on our Mother The Mountain fit the progression and mood of the album perfectly. Whether it be the opening steel guitar riffs on Be Here To Love Me, or the thick ominous strings harmonizing with Townes's guitar part in the opening measures of Kathleen, and so on down the line, the arrangements fit the material perfectly.

Along with this album, the other Townes studio record I absolutely adore as a beautiful, integrated, fully realized statement in terms of both songwriting and arrangement is High, Low And In Between. That record also has consistent arrangements throughout, with excellent drum and keyboard sounds. Buy this album and ignore the naysayers!

Talkin' Misguided Taste Blues.......2002-05-10

I've never written a review before, but after seeing some of the earlier ones, I decided that I just had to say something, and say it loudly. Here it goes: THIS IS THE TOWNES RECORD FOR NEWBIES TO PURCHASE. The arrangements are absolutely excellent. I cannot stress this point enough.

I am absolutely mystified as to how anyone could criticize this record on the basis of its arrangements. It has much better strings going on than on the first record, and puts the arrangements on some of the later ones to shame. I love the majority of his records, but sometimes I would prefer to hear him solo than to hear the arrangements on say, Flyin' Shoes. Now THAT record is overproduced. Or, if you want to hear a record where his material is butchered beyond recognition, try the ambient textures of No Deeper Blue.

The arrangements on our Mother The Mountain fit the progression and mood of the album perfectly. Whether it be the opening steel guitar riffs on Be Here To Love Me, or the thick ominous strings harmonizing with Townes's guitar part in the opening measures of Kathleen, and so on down the line, the arrangements fit the material perfectly.

Along with this album, the other Townes studio record I absolutely adore as a beautiful, integrated, fully realized statement in terms of both songwriting and arrangement is High, Low And In Between. That record also has consistent arrangements throughout, with excellent drum and keyboard sounds. Buy this album and ignore the naysayers!

Our Mother A Frozen Moment In American Music.......2001-10-01

Yea it's true, most people would say that the instrumentation on OUR MOTHER THE MOUNTAIN is intrusive, but after a few listens, it becomes subtle and even complimentary. The songs deal with themes of a dying way of life in the West. Corrupted innocence and destroyed beauty in a cold and getting colder world. As a whole, the album stands still like a painting or as in cinema. You walk in and cannot exit without riding all the rides. It is somber, honest and quite intimate. Definitely one of my favorites of all time. Gothic country folk. It'll change yr life.

Average customer rating:

Our Mother the Mountain Townes Van Zandt Manufacturer: Charly Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0002B69B6 Release Date: 1999-07-13

Music Album:

1. Out Past the Lights
2. Plain Dirt Fashion/Partners Brothers and Friends [Import]
3. Poet: A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt
4. Randy Travis - Greatest #1 Hits
5. Reflections
6. Restless on the Farm
7. Rise
8. Roll, Truck, Roll
9. Scene It All
10. Songs of the Civil War [Import]

Music Album