The Lost Townes Van Zandt Interview 1993 - RARE

[@rugfixr]

So many peole think of Townes as a sad, addicted and troubled fugure, but what a brilliant, highly educated and soulful artist he was, the likes of which will rarely if-ever be seen again.

[@davidferenbaugh1290]

Nothing these days

[@chriscoxflorida]

I felt like Townes was sitting a few feet away, sharing straight from the heart.

[@Bastikovski99]

Very similar to Elliott Smith

[@Bastikovski99]

Townes is in my Mt Rushmore of singer/songwriters, along with Dylan, Leonard Cohen, John Prine, and Warren Zevon. I know that's 5, but I cant drop any of them below any of the others. And I know you probably dont know who he is, but I actually have Elliott Smith as my 6th one.

[@maskandvaccinefreeandproud2110]

He was all of that and more. But they prefer to exploit all the dark and/or negative aspects of his life for dramatic effect. That’s what media in general does. It’s disgusting. And fake. Believe none of what you hear and half of what ya see. Learn it. Live it. Lol

[@michaelspivey1758]

I was a songwriter in Nashville in the early 1980s and I remember seeing him several times hanging out at Springwater Bar. Happy I was in that environment at the time. One of the overlooked songwriters who is in the same line as Bob Dylan in my opinion. RIP Townes.

[@agentjonburrows9595]

He really is up there with Dylan

[@paulgalligan1916]

I do believe Bobby would agree too ..

[@joemarshall4226]

@@paulgalligan1916 He is the rare writer whose best songs match Bob's for depth and intensity, and , like bob, he can match the depth in his singing. He doesn't have Bob's range of songs, though. Marie is just beautiful. So is Tecumseh Valley and None But The Rain.

[@jahrojasexqsys5238]

I gotta say, Townes Van Zandt tapped into things Bob Dylan can barely even imagine. Not that I dont love Dylan or think he isnt one of the greats...but there are just places Townes goes that Dylan doesn't...never has and never will.

[@ericwolfe7673]

Yes sir

[@Freakster1970]

It's a shame he didn't live long enough for a great biography/audio book . I could listen to him talking about his songs and his life all day.

[@nikolavujadin988]

Crazy how everyone says he wasn't with it as he got older.... It seems the only thing he wasn't in tune with was his alcoholism. What a damn shame.

[@horsehide3039]

Probably the best Townes interview I have heard. Thanks for posting it. Beautiful stuff.

[@Matty18795]

Love his music. I live in the uk and you never hear much american country music on the radio. But i was watching some johnny cash videos here on youtube and somebody in the comments reccomended townes and ive been hooked ever since. The best songwriter i have ever heard

[@stevenunyabidness]

Here in the states, even steeped in old school and outlaw country, he never gets the credit he deserves. We aren’t keen on remembering the complicated and important parts of our history, just the shiny bullshit.

[@ChillingCrowley]

Radio 2 have a country show I think on Sunday night's and Radio cambs has a country and folk show too

[@Caperhere]

Some of this music is called Americana, or folk, or roots. Couple artists: James McMurty- ‘Rachel’s Song’ , Tyler Childers, Jason Isbell, early Jimmy Buffett stuff, Stan Rogers.

[@joeegan9062]

It’s incredible how a person can be such a lucid genius while sober, but the same personality only writes brilliant songs while drunk. Much respect

[@lesm2373]

A treasure for the poor to find.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Loop and Lil agree

[@fourbirdsstudio9288]

❤️

[@donatolepore3520]

@@lastnamefirst4035 0

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Wonder what happened to loop and lil? Perhaps they flew away

[@Neptoony]

It's wonderful to hear him so healthy, coherent, and thoughtful. It's so astounding that he could just decide to sit down and write a song and those jewels would appear.. Even though I was strongly involved in the "folk" community, working in a club that presented a vast array of national level talent, sadly, being located in the Upper Midwest neither Towns nor my other favorite Guy Clark made it up to us. I did see them both at a huge Canadian Folk Festival, Guy alone one year and both another year. Although Townes performances in workshops and on stage were excellent, behind the scenes he was struggling. It broke my heart to witness it, even though I wasn't closely connected to the escalating crisis. Townes had a very difficult history, and was poorly served by the medical community in his early years. He defeated his demons for a time, as this interview clearly shows, then something would cause him to just not be able to cope any longer, and he made poor to worse choices that only aggravated his dilemma. Then somehow he would climb out, be productive and the cycle begin again. It's a mystery why some of the most talented people, with so much to say and to offer, carry such dark pits of despair. But we see it over and over. I guess it is that sensitivity that allows them to create songs and performances that reach out and grab us on such a visceral level. I wish it could have been otherwise for Townes though.

[@wealllame]

Seems like his memory works just fine

[@watchjoesvids]

That was a beautiful post about Townes. Thank you. 😊

[@danacamp5437]

Yes. He was subjected to the insane quackery of insulin shock therapy. Disastrous. Possibly affecting his brain chemistry lifelong.

[@alexloweh1]

It's always a pleasure listening to Townes speak.👍😀

[@MrMbws]

If you can find the CD "Last Rights" it will be worth your while. It is a 1997 compilation of songs with interview clips interspersed. My former boss, the recently deceased Nick "Chinga' Chavin produced it. I worked on the packaging artwork. Track Listings 1 Blaze's Blues 2 The Homeless- Dialog 3 Marie 4 Life-Dialog 5 The Hole 6 Cowboy Junkies Lament 7 Pancho & Lefty Story-Dialog 8 Panco & Lefty 9 Lightin' Hopkins-Dialog 10 Brand New Champion 11 Tecumseh Valley 12 Wedding Song & Hits-Dialog 13 If I Needed You 14 I'll Be Here In The Morning 15 Waitin' Round To Die 16 Seeds, Roots & Sprouts 17 One man House Band At The Jester Lounge 18 Early Influences 19 Under The Influences 20 Pancho, Lefty & Townes 21 Somebody Had To Write It 22 Exiles, Exists & Endings 23 Ghost Harp & Concertina

[@Hhllbb2476]

I was going to say - I own almost all of his albums, the songbook, and Heart Worn Highways. To my ear, nothing hits like “Last Rights”. It is so damn good. I don’t endorse Spotify but I wish it were there for so many more people need to hear that one. Thanks for bringing it up and contributing to its existence! !

[@FasterFaster196]

Im very glad I found this interview. I could listen to him talk forever. So softspoken and he tells stories wonderfully.

[@lbshore]

I got lucky and got to see Townes play right around then. He was lucid and brilliant and it was one beautiful evening. Bless his soul.

[@roomofidiots]

Man, outstanding interview. Townes is such a gentle soul.

[@elizabethheyenga9277]

"You're soft as glass and I'm a gentle man"

[@Cinnamombunz]

Thank you for this. It's excellent.

[@dhsumana407]

Educated soft spoken gentle man - thanks for posting this

[@DHYale]

Great, Great Interview And such a tragic loss for all of us to lose an amazing Talent and Down to Earth Human Being, Townes, way before his time.

[@ninaallen5918]

Townes was way too intense to be "down to earth."

[@peterahrens3594]

Great interview! Townes Van Zandt Amazing Songwriter where still today Many People sadly don't know! "Tecumseh Valley", "If I Needed You"" "To Live is to Fly" are Complete Gem! Thank-You Townes Van Zandt resting in Peace in Heaven!

[@sharonramsey715]

WOW I came across this guy by a cover of the Cowboy Junkies cover. What talent, so very sad and such a loss.

[@gustavoherrera7864]

This is an excellent interview, Townes is so lucid and articulate and really shares some cool insight.

[@pjoconnor718]

He is and will be missed by anyone who ever heard his songs.

[@eliminator7ful]

How the hell did this wonderful interview get preserved? Thank you from Idaho!

[@TR-yi8up]

I first heard it on a late era Townes bootleg. I believe it was called Texas Legend??

[@Quietlessly]

I've been meaning to listen to this for a while, and I just happened to tune in this morning on what would've been Townes' 80th birthday. Strange.

[@nickb9731]

what a storyteller

[@joeegan9062]

He wrote a beautiful song while he slept. Amazing.

[@ivan-7229]

Pure gold!

[@jamiebyrne458]

Ivan - Steve Earle guitar town

[@from-Texas]

Golden words from a Texas legend.

[@DiamondDac]

......Brilliant interview,....Thank you...

[@littlered4099]

man towns could of been talking about me,,thanks so for putting this up

[@geobum]

need a transcript of this interview so badly. so many amazing tvz quotes. cried at the end.

[@geobum]

around 31:35... "i never got along with life very well"

[@langstongrandma]

I agree - definitely need a transcript of this interview!

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@geobum yeah i caught that. At that point ya kinda know he wouldnt be around long. I wasnt expecting the end. Made me 😢

[@awesomeisasawesomedoesyo182]

Wonderful interview. Much appreciated.

[@bruinsfan8278]

That was Kick Ass ! Thank You !

[@elizabethheyenga9277]

The man could slay you just listening to him talk. When he sang, universe opened. Dead Flowers makes Stones seem like wannabees

[@teenieneenie630]

Jerry Jeff, yay! Townes made you famous and you were humble enough to acknowledge it.

[@MrPhilfridge]

I'd say Jerry Jeff did that himself and with Guy Clark songs not TVZ

[@carolcomes9526]

RIP Jerry Jeff, 10/23/2020.

[@liammcooper]

Man, how does this only have 3,000 views.

[@jonzotee2744]

Ask Jeanene and the Eggers brothers.

[@Townes.VanZandt]

@@jonzotee2744 I'm almost finished reading the book harold Eggers wrote (kinda/sorta) about townes. Curious what you mean, I'm a youngin

[@jonzotee2744]

@@Townes.VanZandt There is a lot of drama involved in the release of Townes' recordings. Some people think they own rights what they don't actually own, etc.

[@beulahgilbreath3118]

Amazing interview. I first heard Townes in 1973 in the Austin area at a small festival. I was able to be introduced to him. He was pretty messed up drinking alcohol and I don't know what else but his talent was evident. I've been a major fan ever since. Thanks for sharing this.

[@shanequenzer1978]

Such a treasure this interview XD

[@jeremylaws8338]

9:53 to roughly 13:00 when he's explaining the creation of "If I Needed You" is pretty much everything you need to know about Townes Van Zandt.

[@holstonvalleyduke9882]

thank you.

[@bigglilwayne7050]

How fitting is it that his biggest influence was Lightin Hopkins, thats just way too cool!

[@bartstarr100]

He had his entire childhood erased by insulin-shock therapy. A discredited practice. This probably helped be a songwriter, but didn't help him understand anything about life and made him depend on alcohol.

[@robertlopez6276]

Genius.

[@BH-cr5uo]

give'em hell townes ol pal of mine

[@robertpettit3475]

Oh boy ..what a wonderful man.

[@kennethfrank8337]

Big country blues man.

[@theguitarjohnshow]

Pure Genius so Talented and one of My Songwriter Heroes

[@Yirmyah]

Greatest musician ever

[@Romamb]

No

[@alicasoto4497]

it is very arguably a yes.

[@fractuss]

Proving once again that there is no situation that the cops can't make worse.

[@jennypiper377]

RIP TOWNES xxxooo

[@bertramcoenraats8715]

Love you Townes thanx

[@ritanolan2099]

A Texas treasure.....

[@MorganBrown]

He was very lucid on this day

[@RD-fr9wm]

Great Artist Thanks 😊

[@hollyw9566]

For years I wanted to ask Mark Lanegan, who was like a son of Townes's artistically, if he'd do an album of covers of Townes. Now he's gone too. Theoretically, they might have met. When Mark first became big with the Screaming Trees, Townes was still alive. He even toured with early 90s act the Cowboy Junkies. Too bad they never met. One of those missed opportunities. God they were both so great.

[@sselfless]

38:57 - One of Townes Van Zandt's last known recordings (with Barb Donovan).

[@leland-bobpalmer4274]

Once of my favorites songs! Well Just Townes's version Solo

[@mechcavandy986]

It’s pretty bad when Townes had to keep somebody “under control.” re Blaze. 😹🤠

[@joeegan9062]

Right. Have you seen the movie about him?

[@chriscarroll510]

Wish i new this in 93, what I know now......

[@I-Libertine]

The interviewer is Larry Monroe, former KUT Austin and Sun Radio DJ. This likely would have been done at KUT studios. He and Townes were friends.

[@eloisebush4595]

The good die young.the best die too young.

[@mattbomastek3612]

30 miles north of Denton. So poncho and lefty may have been written at the ponds motel in Gainesville I used to live there.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Lucky u. Sounds nice

[@ThoseWhoDare]

❤️

[@eloisebush4595]

They dont make em like that anymore.

[@KLee-ci3gt]

After all these years 🙏

[@joejones9520]

he died only about 3 yrs after this

[@royferguson3909]

outstanding

[@lllwus5011]

Yes, pancho & lefty

[@lavonnacasey5724]

Townes was a great pickin guitar player. Lightless Hopkins taught him well

[@jonzotee2744]

*Lightnin'

[@nedlambton6602]

This isn't rare.... It's on KZbin!

[@wheelmanstan]

I somehow wanted to look into who Townes was once and because I was shipping out I bought a bunch of random Texas artists CD's off Amazon. I'm 100% Texan so I of course knew who most were, like Earle, Keen, Morrow, Green etc but somehow missed Townes. Back in..2002 maybe. Anyway I ordered this and this was the first thing I ever heard from Townes. haha I was like, who the hell is this guy?! I didn't know him or folk music. Anyway I'm a huge fan. I think I still got this, on a grey CD? Maybe it came as an extra disc? I can't remember, but I think I bought it thinking it was songs. Might have been used. I was buying recycled CD's at the time too, so maybe it was used. I just can't remember. Man I loved buying recycled CD's. You CANNOT beat that.

[@AGENTARMES]

Amen brother!

[@jennypiper377]

AMEN A WOMAN xxxoo

[@voraciousreader3341]

I get tired of the education in public schools being bashed!! I read the poetry of Shakespeare and John Donne, in addition to the usual subjects like Keats, Wordsworth, etc., and I also read “A Shropshire Lad,” by Housman. How many of you read _that??_. I also read SEVEN Shakespeare plays, in addition to Dostoyevsky (“Crime and Punishment”), Herman Melville (“Moby Dick,” Billy Budd”), John Steinbeck “The Red Pony,” The Grapes of Wrath),” William Faulkner (“The Sound and the Fury”), James Joyce (“A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man”).....and more novelists and many more poets!! I thought it silly to keep listing them, bc I believe I’ve made my point. But are you getting the idea??

[@absolutelynonameslef]

Well, congratulations for your individual experience. Most (including me) did not get that. Do you have any kids who attended public schools within the past 10 years? Many districts are astonishingly bad. Students are no longer taught to think.

[@doylegaines1319]

HAHAHAHA...I'm 68 years old-when I was in elementary school I was read Steinbeck and I knew of those authors you mentioned from seeing my older sister's books. But if you think the average public (government) elementary/middle/high school teaches and assigns those books these days YOU'RE SMOKING CRACK! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tonykramer949]

Sounds like your intelligent enough to change your own diaper.

[@jeffreyhughes8046]

Why'd you cut the tunes dude?

[@Brandon-pf9wg]

Jeffrey Hughes copyright reason if I had to guess

[@MrMkayultra]

Was Townes the dude in the video Angel mine? By the Cowboy Junkies?

[@thehumanconversationalist1527]

Not sure but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he was. He's always been revered seriously by the plenty of true artists/musicians.

[@nicosmoorenburg9000]

no

[@SilverChief]

That sounds exactly like DAVE RAMSEY asking the questions.

[@doylegaines1319]

Oh brother....

[@pktdbgnzwl]

van zandt county Texas named after his fam

[@calebshows2674]

His son Jt is a fishing guide down in rockport. Jt is the spitting image of his daddy, it’s unbelievable.

[@chaseharrison2064]

@@calebshows2674 For real! That's awesome. I hope to run into him some time when I'm down there.

[@SteveShimmer]

"I hope they listen to it" hahaha

[@chrisammons5344]

Barrington? I didn't know that he lived there. I don't know what it was like then. But I know that now it's one of the wealthiest towns in the country, more of a suburb really.

[@TR-yi8up]

Townes family was super well off. I may be conflating this, but his 3rd great grandfather was big in Texas becoming a state and has a county named after him. Think it’s Issac Van Zandt, but it’s been a while since I read this stuff

[@jonashjerpe7421]

Oil wealth!

[@doylegaines1319]

@@TR-yi8up Yep-Van Zandt County in East Texas. IF HE had money, you wouldn't have known it from the way he lived. IF he had any family wealth it NEVER showed. When I saw him he always seemed on the edge of poverty or homelessness.

[@christophercook1247]

Mmm

[@paulgalligan1916]

All my Exes live in Texas

[@calebshows2674]

@Talkin Bout Nawlins Townes been dead 23 years, and these fuckers still ain’t ready for him.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

'cuz Texas is the place that I'd ra-th-er be ...

[@paulgalligan1916]

@@bassmangotdbluz3547 😆 🤣 😂

[@paulgalligan1916]

Yeeeeeehhhaaawww

[@Bill-cv1xu]

Should be titled " Found!" Lol...

[@marcusdanchision5356]

The luxuriant antarctica archaeologically clear because bottom incidentally sail down a eminent hell. muddled, tiresome plywood

[@jondixon1392]

Talks just like Ronnie VanZant very soft

[@Emil019b]

Whats the name of the guy that he talks about at 7:05? Cant really hear what he is saying, sounds like Joe Jeff to me?

[@ValemountCommunityTV]

Jerry Jeff Walker

[@Emil019b]

@@ValemountCommunityTV Thanks man

[@doylegaines1319]

LOL, who was that man? According to Kris Kristofferson, "he was a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction, takin' every wrong direction, on his lonely way back home"'.

[@girlafraid4045]

this, that and the other...

[@DanDDirges]

Great interview - The person doing the interview hardly ever interrupted Townes. Just let him talk. Perfect way to conduct an interview like this.

[@andrewmiller3107]

sounds like hank hill, wait a minute it IS HANK HILL

[@jamiewesson898]

its obvious a lot of the interviews questions are edited out to keep it flowing

[@robgoodd]

Larry Monroe@@andrewmiller3107

[@nexxlevel6161]

except for the fact he didnt even recognize Waiting Around To Die as his first ever "serious song" as Townes always refered to it.. And paying homage to one of his finest tracks. see for yourself at 7:45 ending at 8:15 with a annoyed Late Great Townes Van Zandt saying " Yeah i was about to do that. " not cool.

[@paulbcote]

The interviewer is Larry Monroe who presented a lot of great music and interviews on the University of Texas Austin radio station KUT. Back in the day.

[@antoniomanaserian3838]

what a storyteller

[@cherylt3098]

💜

[@mcmcat62]

I played and lived with Townes for a number of years right to the end. I was headed to Memphis to play the Blind Willie Mctell song " Dying Crap Shooter Blues" with Townes on what turned out to be his last recording session. As I was getting in my car to go to Memphis I got a call saying that they were heading back to Nashville because Townes couldn't finish the session, later that night he died. I miss him every day.

[@timothydobelbower5487]

Michael Catalano That’s amazing. Would’ve loved to seen him live

[@jamesreedmusic4224]

Did they get any recordings done?

[@bamcleod-aster8060]

HEAVY !!!!

[@galeharoldjr7950]

Thanks for sharing. I've been a Townes fan for many of my 78 years. I miss him.

[@bamcleod-aster8060]

@@galeharoldjr7950 Some of MY favorite songs when i play my guitar,,,pancho and lefty,,dead flowers,,,snowing on ratone,,,THank YOU TOWNES,,,THANK YOU GALE

[@AnneMaier-sb6gv]

I had the good fortune to be introduced to Townes’ music at the age of 16 in 1971, by my high school boyfriend, later my husband. We followed his career for the next 26 years. I eventually became a magazine reporter for a national magazine and could get backstage access to his shows during the nineties. He was so down to earth and I felt an instant rapport. Over the years we attended any show he performed in Austin during college days and in Houston up until he died. His shows were unpredictable, sometimes he passed out on stage, other times he was witty and prolific. He was always witty as hell, had a sharp and quick sense of humor. I once attended a show in Houston that called itself Writers in the Round, in which Townes shared a small stage with three other well known song writers. One of the performers was David Broza, an Israeli folkie who apparently was too self-reverential for Townes. When it was Broza’s turn to perform, he gave an intro to his set by referring to a gig he had recently done at a Farm Aid event. Townes interrupted loudly and suddenly by asking, “Fire Maid?? What’s that? Like a Meter maid for fires??” Some of us in the audience burst into loud and long laughter, myself included. Visibly pissed, Broza glared at Townes, who then abruptly left the stage, saying, “See y’all!” I just learned today that when Townes died five years later, he left Broza a box of lyrics to unfinished songs, asking him to finish them. Clearly he regretted poking fun at a fellow artist. I met him backstage at Rockefeller’s in Houston two times after that, once when he was with his former wife Frances and son JT, the second shortly before he died. He was two different men, happy and healthy with family, a frail desperate man before the end

[@bruinsfan8278]

That was better story about Towns life than the interview! Well Done.

[@elizabethheyenga9277]

Those last days were really rough even to witness second hand. Alcoholism is a grim end, but this interview was when we was clean for that last bit I think before. he really took a downturn (I think). He was very clear headed fr this.

[@watchjoesvids]

Thank you so much for sharing all of this. Fantastic post! Tell us more!

[@danacamp5437]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I first heard his music in the early 90s when I was in college but never had the chance to see him live. If I could go back in time for a chance to see any performer it would be Townes, for sure. Stevie Ray Vaughan would be next.

[@andydeyton8339]

Amazing I've listened to this a hundred times wish there were more of these

[@markstewart1807]

For someone who came to such a tragic end,he sounds totally charming and very articulate at this time what a sad sad loss.

[@tommythompsonsurfer]

GREAT....ALL LIFE IS LIKE THIS..........BLESS AMERICA....ALL.AMERICAN PATRIOTS!!!!!!!

[@brettrice7571]

Towns suffered serious trauma and addiction in his life. Like many people past present and future are and will be. The problem with society is that we think successful people look and sound a certain way, and addicts/mental health suffers look totally different. But reality is we’re all one in the same.

[@AlanMorrison-r2l]

​@tommythompsonsurfer what's that supposed to mean, clown.Go back to your circus.

[@AlanMorrison-r2l]

Townes would hate people like you, patriot Bellshit. Humble he was, you, I'm not inhumane enough to say what I think of you. No offence stupid git.

[@AlanMorrison-r2l]

,

[@lavonnacasey5724]

Townes was always so modest and giving.

[@calebshows2674]

Unbelievably humble, like a true Texan.

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

Yes he was

[@cathycarrell6573]

Love this!! Learned a lot more about the man that was Townes Van Zandt-thank you!! RIP Townes Van Zandt....

[@CastleMc]

What a treasure this is! Its been many years since I've heard his speaking voice, and here he is so lucid and funny, and tells some great song stories. thank you for posting it.

[@HiTherePalHowAreYou]

It bothers me that musicians my age don’t even know who Townes is. It’s heartbreaking really, if I were as profound as he was, I’d love to bring his sort of approach to music again. Music is longing a brain like his to come back.

[@alicasoto4497]

gonna be a long tine.

[@brucebehner4142]

American folk, study american folk

[@MarkSmith-nw4os]

I know. Friends at work who love music don't know of Townes. They heard of Willy Nelson and Merle but told me that Townes got the lyrics to poncho and lefty wrong when they heard him sing it. One is a Native American that really loves music, had never heard of Buffy Sainte Marie.

[@ThatDamn_AndyV]

There’s a whole group of great folk songwriters coming up at the moment. Check out Benjamin Tod, The Hill Country Devil, Casper Allen, Chris Acker, Nick Shoulders, Charlie Crockett, and Matt Heckler. Ought to get you started on a good path, with the first four names I mentioned , specifically, being Townes-esque.

[@SilversteinRescue]

Some do. Check out The Hill Country Devil and Benjamin Tod, both younger guys influenced by Townes.

[@michaelharrington75]

"Our Mother the Mountain" and the self titled "Townes Van Zandt" albums are really complete gems. I was listening to them a few days ago trying to decide which was better. The Townes Van Zandt album is probably my favorite because every song is great, and the random percussion instruments strewn throughout add a lot to the recordings. Both came out in 1969! Such a great year for Townes! I believe if the "Seven come Eleven" (Nashville sessions)album had been released in 1973 Townes career would have taken a different direction. Kevin Edgers not paying for the tapes, causing them to be held by the studio really hurt the momentum Townes had built. The songs on that album were recorded in the more traditional way Townes did things than the "Flying Shoes" album that eventually replaced it 5 years later. Of course Townes did very little to help his career either, other than write incredible songs.

[@tonym2513]

The answer is rearview mirror is better.

[@michaelharrington75]

@@tonym2513 Rearview mirror is great, but It's a live album of songs from his first 7 albums. It's more like a greatest hits.

[@tonym2513]

@@michaelharrington75 I’m aware. But I said what I said. Ty for the engaging post!

[@Raelven]

I met Townes in May 1993, I think it was Mother's Day, he did a show at a tiny club, Nicholby's in CA. I got to set the stage lights. He was such a gentleman, rough on the outside, a diamond within. A wicked sharp sense of humor, intelligent, fast with jokes and stories, and just a blast to banter with. He was in a bit of rough shape that night, but he put on a great show, just him and his guitar, he captivated the crowd. He was so tall, didn't seem that tall until he stood up and was all legs. I feel blessed to have met him. He had a deep, deep soul. Vodka and Snapple. That was his drink that night. He left the best part of himself in the songs.

[@brentobrien6642]

It's sad to know that this man isn't known as much as he should be. Not for fame but for the pure talent.

[@spacemanchewy7491]

Don't worry my friend he is well known by a lot of people that care about good music. It's getting everyone else to know that's the trouble 😂

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

I fully agree with Mr Spacemen, Townes Van Zandt is known all over our world for his brilliant singing, songwriting storytelling, guitar playing and the kind and highly intelligent man he was, The full history of Townes Van Zandt has not been written yet

[@mr.jazzbodkelsey58]

The real ones know. Forget about the others

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

Thanks to the internet he is becoming known.

[@GirlGeorgeTVshow]

John Townes Van Zandt[1] (March 7, 1944 - January 1, 1997), .

[@lastnamefirst4035]

So sad at the end. I thought townes died at 58 not 52. He wrote so many beautiful songs

[@aureliobrighton1871]

This man speaks in earnest and a normal voice ... simply offering some insight to the interested listener .. not a series of 'Bonmots' weaved together to accomodate any myth . indeed a rare opportunity 🌹☮️

[@SilversteinRescue]

Knowing how much he devolved into alcoholism at the end of his life it’s surprising to hear how lucid and clear he is here. Idk what I expected but not this. Sad he went out the way he did but he left behind a hell of a legacy.