Townes van Zandt - 06 Rake (A Private Concert)

[@youthimmortalus]

The ballad of every young man in love with his own seeming immortality and the beauty of his own self-destruction.

[@chadpittman3025]

You got a way with words

[@Kaaos82]

I came here to write the same. Love and respect my fellow bird.

[@mattcook8930]

Imagine getting a private concert by Townes

[@mdogg1604]

Is this man the greatest American poet, or what?

[@sammurray6793]

Yes

[@landonjernigan7453]

Yes, he surely was. Was born and is buried not far away around Fort Worth. I figured I'd go play him some of his songs someday.

[@sselfless]

Yes

[@hankmoody7291]

As a non american, yes.

[@dr.slowdeath1852]

Up there with the greats for sure

[@mebloke69]

this man is a lighthouse for a drifting soul.i cry

[@BigDrozJoe]

In my humble opinion, this is, lyrically, the greatest song ever written.

[@JofistDowd]

Agreed

[@treyblake1]

+Guy Blackburn yep

[@bmacnaughton]

+Guy Blackburn While other people just write words Townes paints pictures with emotions and feelings that somehow form words.

[@mdogg1604]

so well said, so true!

[@sigep0359]

Totally agree

[@RickHempy]

I always felt like this was his autobiography - Townes telling Townes' story. What an amazing writer. I'm not sure he ever really took to this world, but we sure do miss him.

[@danielmims8467]

It feels like it . But it's a retelling of Don Juan.

[@danacamp5437]

Yeah it's crazy to know that he wrote this song as a YOUNG man. He had such an innate feel for the human experience, a profound, clairvoyant, prophetic understanding of the arc of human life. Like he was born with the end and the beginning and the middle all welling up at the same time, and a gift to shape it with words. This is a poet.

[@zzspicezz5501]

Truly one of the great songwriters of our time. In my experience, Here in Europe he is a "musicians" musician. Virtually unknown among the young. I find this video has a deep sadness at the end, when he forgets the name of the next song he's about to play. Rest in peace. Regards from Sweden.

[@pocketlama]

Over the last few years, I've begun discovering how deeply this vien of country music can be mined. These songwriter/singers literally saved me from the insanity I was slipping into as I lost my ability to take the stress and the afwful distress of caring for my wife, as she went through the stages of early-onset dementia. It seems I have a breaking point, and this music kept me in the world when, and after I reached it. I've often wondered how the very American musical and lyrical language of country music translates to other places and cultures who don't have the lifetime of cultural and artistic references that automatically come to mind with a certain turn of phrase or a particular part of the tune. It's so automatic for me when I hear a lot of it. But, I've seen enough people from Sweden, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, and so many more I'm forgetting, who write comments, like yours, telling of the deep meaning the songs and music hold for them also. These musicians seem to have stripped enough away, until the rawest meaning and emotion is left. And that, many humans, if not most, can understand and to which they can relate. It's beautiful how powerful it is.

[@cpinga5]

One of the greatest songs ever

[@acree3739]

a true masterpiece

[@rlope001]

Townes is something beautiful.

[@sigep0359]

People acclaim Bob Dylan as the greatest songwriter of all time, once I heard this song, I must disagree, this is so far above most songwriters...many could only hope to achieve this level of writing.

[@futatorius]

And we get to live in a world where he can hear both Dylan and Townes. And so many more too: Hank, Leonard Cohen...

[@doubleugly1594]

Agreed. Bob Dylan may have pioneered the resurgence of poetic songwriting in America but there has never been a greater song writer than TVZ. He's not only a great emotional songwriter but also a master poet. When I discovered him I spend like 4 days just listening to his music. I did not have that experience with Dylan lol

[@danielmims8467]

It's perfection. Retelling of Don Juan but so poetic. The goat

[@Smitoons]

Bob doesn’t have one song with this kind of honesty. No one else does either.

[@F800GSJay]

The only other songwriter with this honesty and depth was Hank Williams.

[@mdogg1604]

I've loved music all my life, and I can't believe it took me so long to discover the genius of Townes!

[@mebloke69]

this lighthouse of soul brings me a tears.fragile i am and this lead me to home ,everytime i hear music through his life.

[@deborahkauffman09]

somebody got Townes all cleaned and dressed up and sober to make these, musta paid real good, I'm glad they're posted, Houston wasn't too bad a town

[@lovewalruss]

beautiful song, my fave tvz song, and the competition is fierce

[@nichallam174]

Every Townes performance I've found on here seems like he was living every word of every song, his sincerity breaks me up everytime.

[@0gmo]

Beautiful

[@trey3398]

This brings shivers up the spine and nobody can deliver like Papa

[@justscottsid8407]

My favorite song still to this day

[@jameswalshe09]

a brilliant preformance from townes. he just puts so much emotion into his songs. there will never be another

[@DeathOrGlory83]

Townes is imo the best songwriter ever. I also don't think anyone can top him as far as 1 man singin with just an acoustic.

[@netw52]

This clip breaks my heart.

[@USLethal]

A rare gem, brilliant.

[@garfieldlzanya9949]

I hope the five who disliked this will one day get this song's beauty.

[@willong1000]

I've pondered the lyrics of many Townes Van Zandt songs. Considering "Rake," the more I think about it, the more I convince myself that Townes must have encountered neurosyphilitic patients during his time in an asylum. Several of the lyrics present vivid portrayals of symptoms experienced by those suffering from neurosyphilis. Townes was institutionalized at a time when the disease was much more prevalent than it is today. Townes Van Zandt already ranked high in my esteem as a poetic and emotive songwriter. I knew he was intelligent. Hearing "Rake" as a deliberate portrayal of an neurosyphilitic suffering the tertiary effects of his youthful debauchery adds a pleasingly erudite dimension to Townes. To those unfamiliar with the symptoms, I suggest reading the Wikipedia entry on neurosyphilis and tabes dorsalis--see if you don't agree.

[@greymodoy2126]

Interesting take

[@quantum54321]

What fantastic musician and songwriter. A true legend. Plus, I love how he forgot the name of his song at the end. :)

[@mdogg1604]

krissake I get chills when I listen to this song.....

[@anti-artclub2104]

Townes The Genius

[@Joeyland]

its interesting how he recorded all these songs, in what I think was a hotel, by himself, as if he felt the need to document them. He recording career was spotty during his life, but after his death so much has been released. With his constant references to dying, I wonder if he knew he wasnt gonna last long But these recording r amazing, and timeless

[@CA-or9ix]

I would say he didn't last long because of his preoccupation with death. Either way, the angels were with him.

[@badtux]

This sounds like an old man singing about his misgotten youth. But Townes was only 27 years old when this was released, and it had been written and performed before then. I guess he was simply born with an old soul...

[@danacamp5437]

Yes this is an early song. It's so amazing.

[@itsadryheave]

An incredible song.....I have goosebumps.

[@johnturner4300]

I have this on dvd and I can never get enough

[@seangreen9659]

John Turner what dvd mate?

[@shovingwords]

@mebloke69 lighthouse for a drifting soul... there's a guy who gets Townes! nice line, my friend. Xx

[@mdogg1604]

Who in their right fucking mind could dislike this?

[@carsickclive]

stunning song, ive loved for years but only since ive started to play it on guitar have i 'heard' the lyrics, man this was deep for a teenager to listen to (im now nearly 40)

[@andrewbowen6875]

Man he was something else and I cannot think of any poor song or even a line that hadn’t a tonne of thought put into it

[@lovewalruss]

Wonderful

[@mebloke69]

THANX so much for posting this jewel

[@godric234]

Love this song.....................

[@z0rmulaut]

he's the best

[@zoolander2485]

Brilliant! Also love Steve Earle's cover too :)

[@adamnicholson1273]

That's the darnest song I have just about ever hear

[@greymodoy2126]

Look up his other track a song for..I daresay it tops this

[@tompetty832002]

it's his best album, but really if you like any song by him you should check out all his albums

[@LastTaboo]

This song is amazing. When we were in school are studying poetry, like Dickinson's, we should also have read Townes'. Of course, his material might not be PC for our schools. It's a shame.

[@mrgreanjeans]

best damn songwriter ever...better than any dylan...thomas or zimmerman,and i"ll stand on my coffee table in my cowboy boots and yell it at the world! this achs me to my bones. being a youngster in the eighties in and out of the dance halls of east texas,its a shame i never got a chance to see townes play.

[@lovewalruss]

this is great, thanks for posting it

[@achimwill8]

Holy shit, I got this DVD. Unbelievable, but true. Listen to this almost every day. His death is a grievous loss.

[@bmacnaughton]

+Achim Will Where can I get the DVD?

[@achimwill8]

+bmacnaughton www.amazon.com/Townes-Van-Zandt-Houston-Private/dp/B00065U0QI

[@CDA129]

R.I.P TVZ

[@misanthrop01110308]

thanks, this is fantastic!!!

[@saucercrabzero]

@3:03 Could Townes Van Zandt play a song so emotional that it could even make himself cry?

[@sselfless]

Authentic and true

[@MrDonwaldo]

I think you'll both find that this was first recorded on "A Gentle Evening With Townes Van Zandt", circa 1969

[@BVTV360CLAN]

Him and Steve earle great men.

[@foxyfonzie]

this guy.....way beyond heaven and hell...where idk......interesting, interesting fellow

[@Troublemaker1022-r9c]

Once you turn 60, this becomes relatable.

[@gwenerwin4552]

Try 74, and a woman who surely did like to tear it up.

[@phlyers13]

Yet he was 25 when he wrote it. It isn’t the length of the journey but the path taken.

[@mistercapnjoe]

Heavy.

[@adamnicholson1273]

Damn

[@THEKINKS08]

Shivers Down My Spine. enough said..

[@subterranean47]

This is such a great song! If you like this you should check out "our mother the mountain" by Townes

[@BluesHeavy]

I’m not even sure how you write one song with that kind of content and lyrical prowess more less a library of songs. His genius was only derailed by his lack of self worth and the destruction that came with it.

[@completesentences2125]

“Townes Van Zandt is the greatest songwriter of all time…and I’ll stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table, wearing nothing but my cowboy boots and say that”.

[@writersblock26]

Thank you for posting this, lapislazuli42.

[@eweksi]

First class!!

[@jodysoldman]

@Joeyland - check out the documentary "Be Here To Love Me". He mentions that his life will run out before his work does. It's also a very good glimpse into his life, family, struggles, work, etc...

[@RossM3838]

@shortcircuit420 Steve was Towne's friend and even named his son after Townes, but Townes wrote this one.

[@armiller4215]

@peboo353 this one was on his first album. Think about that in context, it was 1968 and everyone was listening to dylan and the beatles. He wrote this...

[@rushtoqueue]

This always reminds me of the Irish song Back Home in Derry

[@tompetty832002]

i agree wholeheartedly

[@LeyLey41]

Wow

[@mydaughterisatard]

@willong1000 That was beautiful. :)

[@dantean]

@Joeyland The way he lived he couldn't help but know he was on a fairly short trip. Drugs, alcohol, and life on the road ARE the road to an early grave and it's not like he made Rolling Stones money with which to pull himself back from the brink when things really got narrow. A tragedy, though probably part and parcel of the whole package, y'know? He wrote about living hard, which he himself did, resulting in more self-destructive behavior designed to kill the pain. A vicious circle.

[@Joeyland]

Where did songwriting like this go?

[@vividhkothari1]

+Joeyland Dylan still writing.

[@drunken13astard]

+Joeyland Dawes

[@Camavingo_]

+Joeyland soundcloud.com/franzblackbird/endless-possibilities

[@Joeyland]

+Luis Batista nice

[@frodolives6671]

Look up the mountain goats they're brilliant

[@gymhourfee]

Hi Anybody know the cords are for this song? Thanks shane

[@chadpittman3025]

DM f g DM DM f g DM f g f DM c dm f g f DM c dm

[@3mate1]

If you guys like this, you should hear him sing Mr Mud and Mr Gold.

[@chadpittman3025]

Not as great as this song,rake is a masterpiece

[@Tadhg64]

I think this song is Townes at his Townesiest.

[@dantean]

There is no God, but there is Townes...or was.

[@spiderslider3900]

Some interesting comments, and well thought out. No offense to anyone, but I will tell you what I think, having a degree in a behavioral science. O.K., what is now called bipolar, was called manic depressive, during his time. So, as many of you know, this means that a person with this supposed disorder, (we would have no artists without it) basically have highs and lows...hence the manic side. I believe that he is speaking about how he used to enjoy the manic times, being on a high that we can't imagine, feeling great, confident and creative, but knowing that the low, (depression) would soon follow. With all that said, I believe that after the electro shock bs therapy, he no longer had those highs or peak experiences....."Night to the day we are binding". So he was worse off that before, and much more depressed, without those peaks.

[@subterranean47]

of course

[@jodysoldman]

with his eyes closed the entire time, I don't feel he is having sinister thoughts....but I would be very afraid to know what he was really thinking

[@subterranean47]

Funny you should ask, I've been listening to that song all day. I don't think it is as simple as being about the devil, but it definitely has a feel of evil. It is about a temptress but at the same time it is much more than that. The lyrics are amazing and the characters are pretty complex.

[@BregaBottoms]

Great lyrics, but Dylan should be credited with the music, listen to North Country Blues.

[@rixclipz]

It's not even the same progression. It's just a slow folk song in a minor key, that's the only similarity.

[@rjmoney9]

what are you talking about? It repeats the same progression through the whole song.

[@christopherecatalano]

@@rjmoney9 no, indeed similar but significant differences in each section. The entire Dylan song is Aeolian, the Van Zandt song is divided into Aoelian verse, but the melody in the choruses is actually Dorian, which has an entirely different musical effect. Both sections use different chord progressions. That’s just musical fact.

[@mckennar]

if carlsberg wrote songs...

[@TheBillswill]

the abraham lincoln of american music.

[@michevicus2987]

Both were affected by bypolar disorder.

[@tompetty832002]

he was special, but i don't think the shock therapy did him any good. gave him some more pain to deal with maybe, didn't knock anything loose though

[@ncroot2]

@gymhourfee Dm/F/G and a C

[@jodysoldman]

@Joeyland - check out the documentary "Be Here To Love Me". He mentions that his life will run out before his work does. It's also a very good glimpse into his life, family, struggles, work, etc...