The Late Great Townes Van Zandt [Original recording remastered]

Product Description
His second release in 1972, ironically titled, The Late Great Townes Van Zandt, would be his last studio recording for the next five years. But it would also feature two songs, 'If I Needed You' & 'Pancho & Lefty' that would become his biggest hits when recorded by Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson. Tomato. 2003.

The Late Great Townes Van Zandt,Townes Van Zandt,Tomato Music,Folk,Folk & Traditional,Pop,Progressive Country,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating: Great introduction other stuff to check out Sweet writer, with a voice that grows on you... For The Sake of the CD Wrong track list

High, Low And In Between/Late Great Townes Van Zandt Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Legend Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas A Gentle Evening with Townes Van Zandt Roadsongs At My Window ASIN: B000002UHX Release Date: 1996-10-01

Tracks:

1. Two Hands
2. You Are Not Needed Now
3. Greensboro Woman
4. Highway Kind
5. Standin'
6. No Deal
7. To Live Is To Fly
8. When He Offers His Hand
9. Mr. Gold And Mr. Mud
10. Blue Ridge Mountains
11. High, Low And In Between
12. No Lonesome Tune
13. Sad Cinderella
14. German Mustard
15. Don't Let The Sunshine Fool Ya'
16. Honky Tonkin'
17. Snow Don't Fall
18. Fraulein
19. Poncho & Lefty
20. If I Needed You
21. Silver Ships Of Andilar
22. Heavenly Houseboat Blues

Amazon.com

Packaged as two albums on one disc, these are among the best of Van Zandt's erratic studio recordings. The first is often overlooked, but it has many songs of dark, marvelous realism, true and accurate as arrows. Kevin Eggers's production is never heavy or busy: he mostly lets the songs breathe beside piano and guitar. And the poetic heights of the title track and "The Highway Kind" are remarkable by any standard. Late Great is important for a little known Guy Clark song "Don't Let the Sunshine Fool You," as well as an orchestrated "Pancho and Lefty" and the sweetly simple "Heavenly Houseboat Blues." Both records show Townes's belief in the abracadabra of words, that their magic is as primary to being human as love and death and kindness and cruelty--those intense qualities that distinguish his work. --Roy Kasten

Album Description

UK reissue of original 1972 Poppy label album. Musicians include Larry Carlton & David Cohen (ex-Country Joe & The Fish). Includes detailed sleevenotes.

Customer Reviews:

Great introduction.......2007-02-16

I'm not a big fan of compilations and "best of" CDs; like a lot of music fans I prefer to hear entire albums in their original context. That's why this economically-priced two-fer from Townes Van Zandt is such a good introduction--it includes two entire albums from one of his most productive periods, and offers a wide variety of his music to get you interested in exploring more. Between these two albums, you can see what a talented songwriter, understatedly excellent vocalist, and all-around worthwhile musical personality he was. Not only that, you'll have over an hour of great country-tinged folk to listen to.

The first album included is High, Low, and In Between. It's probably the lesser of the two choices, but still very worthwhile. Van Zandt is usually accompanied by some subtle acoustic guitar, often combined with some bass, or even bigger band arrangements. He certainly has a skill for melancholy--songs like "You are Not Needed Now" and the title track really get under your skin with simple melodies and some occasionally chilling lyrics. He does include a few upbeat numbers, though, like the great and humorous "No Deal," and the groovy "Standin.'" There are a few weaker tracks, most notably the gospel tunes "Two Hands" and "When He Offers His Hand;" they lack the personality that Van Zandt is so capable of injecting into a great song. Overall, though, there are some great highlights.

The second album is even better. The Late Great Townes Van Zandt opens with "No Lonesome Tune," a very homey, heartwarming tune combined with some really cool music--the heavy bass sounds great combined with the mandolin. The singer sounds totally at ease in the relaxed "German Mustard" blues, and rips out some of his most harrowing compositions, the mysterious "Ships of Andilar," and the oft-covered "Pancho and Lefty." On both discs, he shows great skill at storytelling, and it's too bad every other country singer had a hit with "Pancho and Lefty," but its own composer couldn't. This album really shows off his deft skill at mystery, since more often the music matches his deceptively dense words. Again, though, there are also fun moments like the cover, "Honky Tonkin.'" Also again, though, there are a few weaker moments--"Sad Cinderella" sounds like a textbook paraphrased rewrite of Dylan's "Queen Jane Approximately," and "Heavenly Houseboat Blues" isn't quite a compelling closer.

All in all, though, Townes Van Zandt has made some great music, and deserves to be much better known. This disc is a steal, containing two solid albums' worth of music, with some music that's good, and some that's GREAT. If you're unfamiliar with TVZ, I recommend that this is as good a place as any to get into some great music!

other stuff to check out.......2006-06-21

I am a huge fan of catchy, quiet folk music with insightful lyrics. If you enjoy this album then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
1) Ghosts Of The Great Highway by Sun Kil Moon
2) Kings Avenue Joe Kile
3) Subtitulo by Josh Rouse

Sweet writer, with a voice that grows on you..........2005-07-03

This single-CD collection of two of Townes' early LP's should confirm for any lover of country/folk that Van Zandt's reputation is well-deserved. People such as Guy Clark, Nancy Griffith, Emmy Lou Harris, Billy Joe Shaver, Todd Snider, Willie Nelson, Steve Earle and many others who had more successful performing careers than Townes all praise his writing. I was pleased with the writing, but pleasantly surprised that TVZ could sing so well. His voice is limited, but endearing. He is one of a long line of artists who could not survive alcohol and drugs and the stress of the music business. All of the songs on here, all 22, are worth hearing, but more than half of them deserve and reward repeated listening. Those stand up to dozens of playings without getting stale. I'm speaking of songs such as "To Live is to Fly" and "No Lonesome Tune" and "Don't Let the Sunshine Fool Ya'" and "Poncho and Lefty" and "If I Needed You." While "Sunshine" was written by Guy Clark, Townes' version is almost as good as Clark's own. Eighteen of the tracks were written by Van Zandt. These performances were laid down on vinyl in the 1970's, but they hold up pretty darn well. If you have heard about TVZ, and want a good sample of his lyrics and singing, this item is a great value.

For The Sake of the CD.......2005-03-02

Steve Earle is certainly entitled to his opinion, but comparing Bob Dylan to anyone seems kind of foolish. However, just the fact that many, myself included, consider Townes Van Zandt to be in the same league as Dylan as a songwriter speaks volumes about the late Texan's considerable talents. This is a nice pairing of two of his best albums. It's always cool to get two albums for the price of one. A great introduction to a cult hero who deserves wider recognition.

Wrong track list.......2002-10-04

High Low and in Between is a great album. But this page has the wrong tracks listed...

Average customer rating: Prophetically titled...

The Late Great Townes Van Zandt Townes Van Zandt Manufacturer: Tomato ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Folk | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Flyin' Shoes ASIN: B00008PZVL Release Date: 2007-03-27

Tracks:

1. No Lonesome Tune
2. Sad Cinderella
3. German Mustard (A. Clapalong)
4. Don't Let the Sunshine Fool Ya'
5. Honky Tonkin'
6. Snow Don't Fall
7. Fraulein
8. Pancho & Lefty
9. If I Needed You
10. Silver Ships of Andilar
11. Heavenly Houseboat Blues

Customer Reviews:

Prophetically titled..........2007-07-07

I have to preface this review by saying that it took me years to fully appreciate this album. I first bought it at a time when I was too closed minded to anything that could be labeled "country music", and immediately disliked what I heard. It was only through time that I realized that trying to put any other label on Townes Van Zandt aside from "songwriter" is completely pointless; he's not a "country" singer, not quite a "folk" artist, and not a "blues" performer, yet he managed to take all these elements and throw them into the mix that became his music. Perhaps the fact that his music can't be easily classified may explain his maddening lack of success during his life time. Having said that, "The Late Great Townes Van Zandt" was the album that brought Townes as close as he would get to recognition early in his career before management problems put him in a tailspin that delayed the acknowledgement of his talent for many years. This album contains what are arguably Townes' best known songs: "Pancho And Lefty" (later made famous by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard's version, as well as Emmylou Harris's version), and "If I Needed You", which has been covered by numerous artists. (Townes also claimed to have written "If I Needed You" in his sleep, which if he did is amazing considering he always maintained that he never changed the words he originally wrote down or edited them in any way.) This album definitely has more country leanings than some of Townes' other albums, with covers of Hank Williams' "Honky Tonkin'", Townes' friend and fellow songwriter Guy Clark's "Don't Let The Sunshine Fool Ya", and the classic "Fraulein", which Townes continued to play in his live set for years after this album was released. The odd blues song "German Mustard" is also noteworthy; its off the cuff feel makes you wonder if this was a product of a few drinks in the studio. To me the most affecting track off of this disc is "Snow Don't Fall", which also is not a song mentioned much in Townes' catalog of work. Townes is accompanied only by piano, which in itself is unique in that his guitar playing isn't featured. Years after hearing it for the first time I read that Townes was inspired to write this song and "Two Girls" about the stabbing death of one of his girlfriends from California. Both songs take on greater meaning when listened to in this context and are extremely moving. Lastly, I would be remiss if I failed to comment on the contrast between the excellent album cover photo and the photo on the back. Townes himself explained the circumstances of both pictures in Margaret Brown's fascinating documentary "Be Here To Love Me", and really had me laughing with his description of his proper mother and aunt asking the guy behind the counter at the record store who the guy was on the back of the album that was giving the finger to the camera. Priceless. I wouldn't go so far as to recommend this as a starting point to a newcomer to TVZ's music, but if you are a fan this aptly titled album should be in your collection.

Average customer rating: Townes Van Zandt Again LOST HIGH ROLLER ROLLING HOME Walking a Tightrope

The Late Great Townes Van Zandt 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: Flyin' Shoes High, Low And In Between/Late Great For the Sake of the Song: First Album Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love Me Townes Van Zandt ASIN: B00000330L Release Date: 1994-04-12

Tracks:

1. No Lonesome Tune
2. Sad Cinderella
3. German Mustard
4. Don't Let The Sunshine Fool Ya'
5. Honky Tonkin'
6. Snow Don't Fall
7. Fraulein
8. Poncho & Lefty
9. If I Needed You
10. Silver Ships Of Andilar
11. Heavenly Houseboat Blues

Customer Reviews:

Townes Van Zandt Again.......2007-01-15

It`s Been A Lot Of His Albums In My Collection Now, I Realy Like Him.

LOST HIGH ROLLER ROLLING HOME.......2000-10-05

I've been haunted by the cover for years.A meloncholy looking rake with guitar in the corner of some room he doesn't belong in. After a few years of touring,I felt it first hand. A drinking buddy turned me on to Townes in the end, saying REARVIEW MIRROR is all you need. I took his advice and passed it along till curiousity got the best of me and I picked up this record.

Its acoustic, sparse and utterly beautiful with a strong undercurrent of sordidness. On "Sad Cinderella", he comes of like a hillbilly Leonard Cohen. "German Mustard" has Townes in a rare kind of form. Accompanied by a drunken slide guitar, he's shooting dogs and rambling on about "that German mustard 'tween your jeans". Actually I'm not sure whether he's saying jeans or knees, but I don't have to think too hard to get the implication.

In my opinion,the song "Snow Don't Fall" is one the most haunting love songs this man has written. I often catch myself singing it low in waiting rooms. "Poncho & lefty" ofcourse is a classic.

"The Silver Ships Of Andilar" is unlike anything else Townes recorded. A dark tale at sea that defies genres, it's nicely topped off by the sweet, but slightly ominous "House Boat In heaven".

This album also features a stab at Hank Williams (" Honky Tonkin'") and a brilliant cover of Guy Clarke's "Don't Let The Sunshine Fool You".

Throughout the years, this has become one of my favorite albums. Like Nick Drake's PINK MOON, I never sicken of it and I take it with me everytime I leave town. It's there for you, when one is in need of solace, yearning and a little bit of wickedness. He deserved more recognition in his life time, but sometimes well kept secrets keep the connection personal. Townes, R.I.P.

Walking a Tightrope.......2000-06-18

`The Late Great Townes Van Zandt' is a deceptive title. When originally released in 1973, Townes was well (sort of) and alive. It wasn't until his death in 1997 did the title ring true. It is a bit macabre that an artist would refer to himself as "The Late Great." The compositions here are lyrically intense - Townes' language is stark and uncommercial. The music is primary acoustic and underproduced with stories by a man who lived on the edge, who walked a tightrope. With an elegant Texas-twang, Townes reveals his images of life and love (Sad Cinderella, Fraulien) - often his perspective is bleak (Don't Let The Sunshine Fool Ya') and lonesome. Melancholy tales of losers, gambles and ramblers (Poncho & Lefty).

In hindsight, `Silver Ships of Andilar' (and ominous sailing tale) and `Heavenly Houseboat Blues' (where heaven is defined as living on a houseboat) foretell the future. Fifty-two years is much too short for anyone; especially too short for a gifted storyteller such as Townes. Perhaps the finality of life is the concept of `The Late Great Townes Van Zandt.' Although he is no longer with us, I believe that he left something precious to share - his music.

Average customer rating:

The Late Great Townes Van Zandt 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 Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Country | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000023YZ9 Release Date: 1999-07-01

Tracks:

1. No Lonesome Tune
2. Sad Cinderella
3. German Mustard (A. Clapalong)
4. Don't Let the Sunshine Fool Ya'
5. Honky Tonkin'
6. Snow Don't Fall
7. Fraulein
8. Pancho & Lefty
9. If I Needed You
10. Silver Ships of Andilar
11. Heavenly Houseboat Blues

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