"If I Needed You" (Townes Van Zandt) cover by Dennis Anthonis

"If I Needed You" by Townes Van Zandt (cover by Dennis Anthonis).
Townes Van Zandt suffered from a series of drug addictions, including alcoholism. He was given a psychiatric diagnosis of bipolar disorder at an early age. He underwent the now-discredited insulin shock therapy which erased much of his long-term memory.
Much of Van Zandt's life was spent touring various dive bars, often living in cheap hotel rooms and backwood cabins. For much of the 1970s, he lived in a simple shack without electricity or a phone. He chose to live this way in order to pursue his music. Interestingly, his family was very wealthy. He left it all.
His influence has been cited by countless artists across multiple genres. His music has been recorded or performed by Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Counting Crows, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark, and many more. His musical style has been described as melancholy and features rich poetic lyrics.
Van Zandt died on New Year's Day 1997 from cardiac arrhythmia caused by health problems stemming from years of substance abuse. He was only 52.
Following is a list of my tutorials on how to Travis Pick, in the order produced.
Travis Picking Made Ridiculously Simple: A Tutorial • Travis Picking Made Ri...
Travis Picking Made Ridiculously Simple: Part 2 / opprfxiwr1
Travis Picking Made Ridiculously Simple: Next Chapter • Learning How to Travis...
Which Travis-Picking pattern Do I Start With? • Which Travis Picking P...
How to Play 4+20 by Stephen Stills: • Easier Way To Play Ste...
Learn How to Travis Pick in 15 Minutes: • Learn to Travis Pick i...
Travis Picking 2.0: How To Select Alternating Bass Notes: • Travis Picking 2.0: Se...
Travis Picking 2.0: How to Play "Just Breathe" by Pearl Jam: • How to Play "Just Brea...

[@ThereseLefebvreComposerPianist]

A true performance ...so very beautifully interpreted ...thank you for the emotions

[@keithwigley1256]

Excellent sound Dennis...vocals just right....great peformance of song first time heard...

[@bernardbigorgne2535]

Excellent singing interpretation for this beautiful song All the best Dennis. Bernard.

[@JessicaKlein-mu2qt]

You are awesome & I love your style…I could listen all day,I play also but not much anymore🎶💃🏻🔥♥️

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thank you Jessica for your kind words. I’m playing less too, mostly because of hand issues, all of which I’ve documented on my channel. At the same time, it’s the daily playing, I believe, that provides some therapy as well. I encourage you to pick up the guitar every day, even for just 15 minutes each day, for the therapy (physical and mental). Stay tuned; I’ve got some irons in the fire. Maybe even subscribe!

[@CrawfishParish]

I love it!

[@folked6931]

Nice one Dennis. Love a bit of Townes every now and then. Dead Flowers cover is all time...

[@DennisAnthonis]

Folked 69 ... Thanks my friend. I appreciate you stopping by.

[@andydug]

After watching the documentary heartworn highways and seeing townes playing on the porch, it's great you show us how Travis pick.

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thanks Andy! TVZ was an interesting character. I need to learn Pancho and Lefty.

[@andydug]

Yes Dennis, That's the song that made me Google to see what he was doing. Which then led me to your channel to find storytelling songs you sing, Sam Stone etc. The characters who sing these are as interesting as there songs.

[@PeterLisboa]

This is wonderul Dennis!

[@DennisAnthonis]

Peter Lisboa .... Thanks my friend. Coming from such a talented musician as yourself makes your comment even more meaningful.

[@outlawdasilva]

Awesome performance brother

[@DennisAnthonis]

... Hey, thanks a lot Bruno. I gotta say... what a great name. I appreciate you visiting my channel. I’ll check out your channel. Stay safe my friend.

[@roykie007]

Awesome Dennis

[@DennisAnthonis]

Royboy Thanks my friend. I appreciate you sending stopping by. I appreciate your support.

[@eatonjohnrobert]

Just perfect Dennis.

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thank you my friend.

[@JoelUldrych-kh2sc]

Very beautiful, also very relaxing. You are very talented. God bless.

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thank you, Joel. God bless you too.

[@shargram]

Very nicely played Dennis, a great song from Townes Van Zandt.I love the Emmylou Harris/Don Williams version of this classic.

[@paulnosam]

Very nice cover Dennis! I didn't know this song but I really like it! Congrats my friend!

[@2322Hoover]

Thank you for the heartfelt performance and the background history of this highly talented man who was completely unknown to me. Many thanks Dennis, kind regards, Roger.

[@eatonjohnrobert]

Just awesome Dennis. I’ve grown to love TVZ and his style. Covered a couple of his tunes years ago myself.

[@paulwood8410]

so lovely your version, many thanks, perfect pick, and picking... more please.

[@ivannovotny4552]

Wow, at first I thought I was seeing and hearing my favorite Don Williams, that's how good you're Dennis, and thank you for sharing this lovely song with us. 🇨🇦

[@denisestrickler6793]

Love this Dennis ❤️❤️

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thanks Denise.

[@beegee2983]

Hi Dennis, not connected with this vid but can you tell me your preferred strings on your Mainland Baritone Uke. Thank you from the Yew Kay.

[@brunocolin5469]

LIKE 119 😊

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thank you 👍

[@uncleandyguitarherbst1157]

Very beautiful Dennis. Like 41 for your video. Great upload.

[@DennisAnthonis]

Uncle Andy Guitar Herbst ... Thanks Andy. I really appreciate your continued support. Cheers my friend.

[@nickfletcher4132]

Very nice Dennis. Love it.

[@davidpowell4413]

Hi Dennis Well what can i say just fantastic would love to be able to play your version pleas keep up the great work.thanks Dai

[@DennisAnthonis]

You can play my version! Follow my tutorials and you too can play this song and many more. Nice to meet you David. Cheers from St. Louis. Thanks for watching.

[@PuppyPetite]

Hey, I would love to know how did you fix that thumb problem? I’m having the same issues just subscribed. Thanks please respond.

[@DennisAnthonis]

Hey, sorry for not responding sooner. If you look at my channel, I did a follow-up to that video called "De Quarvain's Tenosynovitis and Guitar Playing (My Experience)." I try to pretty much explain what it is and what you might be able to do to relieve it; it worked for me at least. Thanks James, for subscribing to my channel. Cheers from St. Louis, MO.

[@bluesrocker6l6gc8]

World class performance, what more can be said!!!

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thank you. I’m sorry I missed this.

[@Bystander929]

His influence certainly spread far and wide. This is a good song, fine cover Dennis, are there 3 guitars ? Just out of curiosity what brand of mic are you using on the vid, I'm looking to replace an old Shure C606.

[@DennisAnthonis]

ThumbStrummer ... you can sorta see it on the left side of the screen. It’s a “Blue Snowball.” It connects directly into the back of my MacBook Pro.

[@brendanconway7317]

Brilliant Dennis

[@maryanthonis4224]

👍

[@tomevensen]

A wonderful version! Love to hear it over and over again. Thank you!😃

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thank you my friend.

[@waynecaswell5727]

Dennis you are so great to answer my questions. It helps so much. Another question. Does Jackson Browne use Travis Picking? Could you discuss his style in further lessons. Thanks again.

[@DennisAnthonis]

... I believe he uses a Travis style fingerpicking pattern in his song, “These Days.” I love that song. I might do a cover of it.

[@waynecaswell5727]

@@DennisAnthonis Great! Can't wait to hear it.

[@waynecaswell5727]

Another great video. It helps understand the genius of TVZ. Can you do a lesson on his style like you have John Prine? Really enjoying the Fingerstyle course. All your efforts are greatly appreciated.

[@DennisAnthonis]

... Hey thanks Wayne. TVZ and JP share very similar fingerpicking styles, almost indistinguishable actually. Rather than a lesson on TVZ’s picking style, I could consider doing a lesson on one of his songs, either “If I Needed You” or “Pancho and Lefty.” What do you think?

[@waynecaswell5727]

@@DennisAnthonis Dennis thanks for your quick reply. Great information. A full lesson on "If I Needed You " would be great. Thanks again.

[@yakubekartawidjaja]

Well done! Best wishes

[@DennisAnthonis]

... Thanks for listening Yakub. Cheers from St. Louis, Missouri.

[@kevindrago2701]

Outstanding Love ya voice too

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thanks Kevin. I don’t get many compliments on my voice. I appreciate it.

[@nevans732]

Good tune my friend. I also do this one. I'll have to post a video for it soon.

[@DennisAnthonis]

Nicholas Evans ... Thank you Nicholas.

[@specialrider54]

Nice reading, Dennis. I especially liked your vocal on this. Dave

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thanks Dave. It’s nice to know your name.🤝

[@briaceldan4725]

Hi Dennis, here I am (from Facebook) ! You sing it soooo well. What a rendition ! Love it.

[@DennisAnthonis]

... Thank you Briac . I appreciate you stopping by and listening.

[@1dandy49]

Beautiful music. You give this song the Gordon Lightfoot touch (hope you take this as a compliment).

[@DennisAnthonis]

daniel spencer ...thanks Daniel (my identical twin brother’s name). You bet I’ll take it as a compliment. His voice had a bell like quality. Search his song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” The one where it’s just him with his 12-string guitar. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Cheers my friend.

[@phspalace1021]

Great cover, thanks for sharing Dennis.

[@DennisAnthonis]

... Thanks for listening my friend!

[@weasel6535]

Bravo

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thanks for listening and for taking the time to comment. I appreciate your support. Cheers from St. Louis.

[@weasel6535]

@@DennisAnthonis Your voice has an undertone of Roger Whitaker, I really enjoyed it.

[@kphandmademusic7327]

Great Song, Wonderful performed my friend

[@DennisAnthonis]

KP Handmade Music ... Thanks my friend. I appreciate your support.

[@danielmims8467]

Great cover . TVZ is truth. Great vocals

[@DennisAnthonis]

Thanks Daniel for watching and for taking the time to leave a comment. TVZ was one of the best.

[@danielmims8467]

Yes he was . I met Townes when I was 7 or 8 backstage at a Bob Dylan/ Steve Earle show in Houston. He was just visiting Steve and didn't perform . Steve is a cousin so he made sure my brother and me met Townes.

[@DennisAnthonis]

@@danielmims8467 … so sad about Justin.

[@danielmims8467]

@@DennisAnthonis man yeah ... that was a gut punch especially finding out like alot of family over twitter. we are the same age and hung out when he would come to Texas for family reunions or funerals. Now he rest in the old fam cemetery 15 minutes away. I didn't really get into JT's music until a few years before he passed . Other than passing a guitar back and fourth and hearing him play at his grandfather's funeral , I was late to the party . And I randomly caught one of his shows in 2019 in Portland because some people I was working with were going so I tagged along . He was a born performer . They just announced his tribute birthday show is back on at the Ryman . It was supposed to be last January but covid postponed it. Very interesting line up , everyone from Emmylou , Lucinda , Jason Isbell , old crow to Lucero and social distortion. Covering JTs music. I believe they re recording it. I've been want to goto that for almost 2 years now.

[@DennisAnthonis]

@@danielmims8467 … like you, with regard to Justin Townes Earl, I was late to the game as well. I think I first noticed him when I heard his song “Mamas Eyes.”

[@ajciccar3]

great cover

[@DennisAnthonis]

BACKWOODS STOMP, BALDERDASH & BLUES - no covers ... Thank you my friend.

[@DetenkleFriluftsliv]

Great cover Dennis! I love this song, and it fits you perfectly. :-) Greetings from Norway

[@DennisAnthonis]

Freedom in Nature ... Thanks very much for your kind words. Yes, it’s a wonderful song. I instantly fell in love with it. Cheers buddy!

[@jeffk2334]

Very beautiful. I didn't know this song, this is great!

[@DennisAnthonis]

Yeah, I feel this is one of TVZ's best songs. Lately, I've been attracted to what I refer to as outlaw Texas singer-songwriters (Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, John Prine, to name a few). I really feel that music was designed for these types of songs. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

[@SuperGeorgeGlass]

Nice one. Horrible story of TVZ though.☹

[@DennisAnthonis]

George Glass ... Thanks George. Yes, his story is worth reading about. Another guy worth reading about is Blaze Foley. He lived in abject poverty his whole life and was murdered at age 39. He’s written some great songs (If I Could Only Fly, Clay Pigeons, to name a couple). Check them out. Fortunately, he’s finally making money, albeit posthumously. Cheers my friend.

[@danielmims8467]

Townes was a tragic one that he knew where he was headed and if he continued to live his life that way it would kill him , he chose to keep on. Blessing for us but a tragedy as well. The most tragic part is alot of people don't know who he was. I never saw townes perform but I did meet him. I was so young I don't remember everything that was said. I remember him being really funny this was 1988 or so. I also met Bob Dylan the same night . One of my family members was mentored by townes ( named his son after him too ) and was playing a show with Dylan and townes showed up at the show . I was 6 at the time and was back stage . Pretty cool . All down hill from there

[@boobooau]

Dear Denis, your voice and performance is a real treat for me. It's like someone put Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen in one body (maybe someone else, not sure who). GS mini works awesome with your voice.

[@DennisAnthonis]

Aleks Nikolic ... Thanks very much Aleks. That’s a wonderful compliment. I’ll visit your channel. Cheers from St. Louis, Missouri