Townes Van Zandt - Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas (Official Full Album Stream)

[@billbertinot]

I was in a folk/country trio, Dogtooth Violet. Joined by Dusty Hill on bass that night. We opened for Townes, it was in downtown Houston. A very hot and humid Houston night. They had their tape machine behind the stairs recording what was later released as Live at the Old Quarter. When Townes went on he made us laugh with his jokes and blew us away by his genius music-storytelling. Thank you Townes!

[@David-ch5zl]

My Uncle produced this album! He worked with Cowboy Jack Clement! He recorded the Album with. Sony portable 4 Track! The album was recorded in 1973 but was not released until 1977! I believe their was some kind of dispute that wasn’t ironed out until a few years later! Jack and my Uncle several more times thru the years! God Rest you Townes and Jack! My Uncle thought highly of both of them!!!!

[@SCWhiteJazz]

I wonder why the cover design is of that similarity to "Five leaves left" of Nick Drake... Do you know st about it?

[@tomheinze6676]

At 67 years old, I have to say, this is one of the defining CDs in my life. Oh how I wish I could have been there live!!

[@pamelasiner3862]

It’s still an album in my world!

[@billygoat520]

It is available and much cleaner than what you hear on this one. It's really good throughout with just a little bar or club noise. You may already have it by now.

[@ToddZilla813]

This is not only the best live record of all time it is the best record of all time. It needs to be preserved for eternity.

[@cobrallama6236]

At 37 years old, I feel the same way. :)

[@kena8596]

At 56 it's one of my favorite records

[@rickhamilton2093]

We will never see the likes of this ever again. A true masterpiece from the master!

[@michaelr4028]

There could not be a better introduction to Townes than this album. It really is superb.

[@EriknShelly]

Townes didn't sing these songs, he lived them.

[@ToddZilla813]

Hear hear! 🍻

[@voxigen5441]

I was lucky enough to see Townes Van Zandt live at Southport Arts Centre in 1994. I still have the ticket. I look back now and realise that I was in the presence of a genuine legend sitting just a few feet in front of me. My son has just started university and has started to spread his musical wings a bit more. I introduced him to the music of Townes Van Zandt the other day. I feel it's my duty as his Dad to make sure he gets a proper musical education.... :-)

[@felixgrundy6207]

Heard him twice in late 60’s at Cactus Cafe on UT campus in Austin. Changed my life.

[@WilliamTBooth]

How could i have not heard of this cat..i'm 77 and in my 20's went to coffee houses and nyc folk clubs but missed this...

[@ronstewart2871]

Don't feel bad,,,, live is live, and we just have to accept whatever happens.

[@davidwillis9894]

I posted earlier about my Uncle Earl Willis produced and Recorded this album! I got the portable four track recorder wrong! It was a TEAC 3340, not a Sony! He bought it right before he recorded Townes! I think he still has it! After recording it he went to Nashville to Jack Clements Studio and cleaned it up! My Uncle was real good friends with Jack! They met in Beaumont Texas! My Uncle was roommates with Singer Songwriter Dickie Lee, who was friends with Jack! The album was recorded in 1973 and wasn’t released until 1977.

[@werks99]

I actually used to have a Teac 3340S.

[@robertdonaldson2316]

This man's work was so important. I don't have words to describe the feeling he inspires.

[@tommisunami]

It feels like home...the real one ...the one we didn't have, but coulda used.

[@robertdonaldson2316]

@@tommisunami I could've had a million homes...not one would've been the right one but we do the best we can with what we got right?

[@billygoat520]

He was a poet.

[@jimrebr]

I love the music of Townes Van Zandt, so much. Tonight we are going to a Townes music tribute at a club. Very much looking forward to hearing musicians play his music, of course I wish I could have seen him when he was alive.❤I love Townes finger picking style, when I was 17, I got my first guitar and lessons with a great teacher who I knew from a Coffee House, where all kinds of folk, country, rock music was played live, there was a large back room & I met my guitar teacher at 15, he told me where and what kind of guitar to get. Happy memories, my first song learned was Elizabeth Cotton’s Freight Train.😊

[@evelinekettle1150]

Amazing, songwriter, musician, humane, kind, tragic, beautiful man. Bless you Townes xx

[@awesomeisasawesomedoesyo182]

This is a classic! Townes was as good as it gets.

[@gcofield4498]

We need more of this today.Just pure southern country music with a twist of Texas..

[@JoseDominguez-kd2ne]

You got it ass backwards this is Texas music first and foremost.

[@gcofield4498]

@@JoseDominguez-kd2ne always some Jack ass trying to start something.

[@ryanten5828]

​@@JoseDominguez-kd2neagreed. Too bad texas fuk boys forgot about one of our national treasures. Fuck kickers ALWAYS.

[@danacamp5437]

​@@JoseDominguez-kd2neI gave this a thumbs up and I'm not even from Texas. I'm from Charleston SC. Even I know this is Texas to the core.

[@BluesHeavy]

At his best truly this album is a jem. I have listened to it hundreds of times

[@AtTheCrossroads]

There is nothing better, as far as song writing goes. Dylan is amazing, used a lot of words to tell a lot of great stories... Hank, Woody, Neil Young, etc.... they all wrote great songs, but concise is the name of the game... Townes did that better than everyone.

[@werks99]

Townes, and none other than Guy Clark.

[@FuzzyDancingBear]

Something about that intro just perfectly transports me to where I need to go in order to fully enjoy some old live Townes recordings.

[@rtcastleberry]

If you'd ever been to the Old Quarter in those days, you'd understand a wrecker would have been the perfect transportation. Man, that was a raggedyassed joint. And a bunch of fun.

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

When i got this album from from fat possom, i was like are you kidding, this is real, its gold. I was ashamed nobody knew his name. But his heart is here

[@shelbyalright]

Wow I can only imagine being in this room. This is a masterpiece and Texas as fuck. Thank you for sharing

[@jonihughey1352]

Love this treasure of a songwriter.

[@rexmarinecenter6571]

Touching, poignant lyrics, beautiful melodies, lovely finger-style playing, haunting yet comforting voice, engaging, likable personality and charismatic presence. Many artists can pull off a couple of these qualities and talents. So rare to have them all. Thanks, Townes and the Lord who sent you to us for too short a time.

[@Dr.JeremyDunks]

Absolutely incredible recording. Hushed those hooligans.

[@herrrmike]

a poet and his guitar

[@jimmyswope3057]

I'm spending NYE with you Townes.No better place to be. Thank you for being here.

[@darrellwoods2586]

lightnin was done proud at 21:50 And He could hold his own toe to toe with all comers, would've been overjoyed to be in he and Blaze presence, A Big Texas Thanks,13/3D

[@actualturtle2421]

Whenever I'm feeling down on myself about my songwriting or like I'm stuck in a rut and I'm not making good music, I think about how Townes OPENED HIS SET with the greatest song ever written. And then I realize that I'm garbage.

[@fractuss]

When I saw him he opened with Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold, magic.

[@yonderwizzerd]

Love this record. Got it on vinyl.

[@steverodriguez51]

RIP Townes...thanks for all the songs..

[@jennypiper377]

LIFE WAS SO HARD FOR THIS MAN CRUELTY REALLY BUT imho E RIP ALL XXXXXXXOOOOOOO

[@11Hasaan]

I thank the good lord that I was born sometime after this genius released all of this amazing art! From the bottom of my heart Townes, thank you!!

[@kirkstrickland8029]

Texas Blues What a song writer Townes was

[@dreamwell2020]

Here hear! Here we hear Townes at the hieght of his considerably considerable powers.

[@gregkleinschmidt8856]

Thank you so much Townes. R.I.P.

[@jesselp50]

Absolutely magical

[@ThomasSpachtholz]

Absolutely love the way the cover shot (deliberately) recites an Edward Hopper Painting.

[@thelosalamosvoice8215]

If you feel like Mud you'll end up Gold If you feel like lost, you'll end up found So amigo, lay them raises down

[@Yirmyah]

GOAT.

[@treehouserecords]

My favorite album by my second-favorite songwriter of all time.

[@pamelasiner3862]

Who is your favorite songwriter?

[@treehouserecords]

@@pamelasiner3862 Dylan.

[@treehouserecords]

@James Hardy har har.

[@werks99]

Not Guy Clark?

[@mma1st105]

Great album

[@SandSpock33]

First Time Listener.

[@Nick-ko1jx]

When is says "I'll play one more" and then proceeds to play two or three more lol

[@opiegm29]

I was number 800. Like.

[@opiegm29]

Have shot of on me.

[@sterlingarchibald8096]

Best album right here.

[@jennypiper377]

ONE OF THE VERY VERY BEST. BE AT REST. YOU STILL ARE I HOPE LOOKING DOWN HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU LIVED AND CHANGED. RIP NEVER EVER SHALL THE AUSTIN PICKERS BE?

[@russcohen3779]

Love love love

[@swssinc]

Thanks for posting. Love Townes

[@iamM4SK]

the cricket though. 🥰

[@opiegm29]

I feel. No pain..

[@jennypiper377]

MY MAN SINGS THIS BEST ONE OF MANY. RIP WE MISS ALL UP THERE MUST BE A GREAT PLACE /KRIS/JOHHNY/WAYLON/CHRIS/CHESTER/TOO MANY JEFF/TOO MANY NO MORE RED HEARTED Aus COME ON SHEEPLE AI/SPAM/HACKERS/. USA MAGA. IT HAS AND IS. ACT STUCK. LOVE MERCI BUCKETS. XXXOOOOO. IMHO

[@VickyJohnston-mq9ul]

❤💔😢❤️

[@austinrhoads]

Have to point out the Old Quarter isn't in Houston but on the island of Galveston, TX. I always wondered why they put Houston in the title. Galveston is such a cool name. It's a small club. Still there I actually played there when I was a kid with two separate groups. The intimacy of the venue really lends itself well to acoustic music and heartfelt performances.

[@michaelwilliamson7276]

I checked Wikipedia on this and it does say that from 1965 to 1979 the old Quarter was in Houston Texas. In 1965 Rex Bell and Cecil Slayton opened the old quarter in Houston Texas. Cecil Slaton left in the 1970s and Dale Soffar was the sole owner. In 1979 the old quarter closed in Houston Texas. In 1996 Rex Bell opened the Old Quarter Acoustic Café in Galveston . In 2016. Mr. Bell retired due to health problems, and sold the establishment to Joel Mora.

[@austinrhoads]

@@michaelwilliamson7276 wow you're right I had no idea. The Galveston building is very old and all the photos of older shows hanging on the walls make it seem like it has been there forever. Learn something new every day.

[@billbertinot]

I was in a folk/country trio, Dogtooth Violet. Joined by Dusty Hill on bass that night. We opened for Townes, it was in downtown Houston. A very hot and humid Houston night. They had their tape machine behind the stairs recording what was later released as Live at the Old Quarter. When Townes went on he made us laugh with his jokes and blew us away by his genius music-storytelling. Thank you Townes!

[@davidcartledge6620]

What dya think of that eh❤

[@419buckeye7]

This is so good

[@billygoat520]

I have too say I have heard far cleaner copies of this date in Texas. The copy I had and lost in a fire, hard back-ups as well, was quite clean no hum and stuff but the normal club noise. This sounds like it was rerecorded on the shoulder of interstate 95 north bound or something.

[@ellenlarson7205]

Very artistic words and sexy voice

[@ellenlarson7205]

Very talented enjoy listening to. Singing and his joke s

[@ellenlarson7205]

A beautiful love 💕 song💕💕💕💕

[@ezrhino100]

for a country audience, this is one of the quietest crowds ever. but TVZ was not your normal country singer...

[@brianb.5473]

While I do love LATOQ. I like Rear view Mirror and live and Obscure as well if not better. They just aren't as well known by most.

[@glennbasilii552]

What year was this recorded?

[@standrew131]

july of ‘73

[@glennbasilii552]

@@standrew131 thank you!

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

16:17 hahahaha 😂

[@floraline7153]

Forgive me, as I am new to Townes. Did he write all these songs?

[@danacamp5437]

He does some covers but most are his. He's arguably one of the greatest American lyricists to ever live.

[@419buckeye7]

Is that Steve Earl in the beginning?

[@fbchartsville1425]

No. Sounds NOTHING like Steve.

[@michaelgalvano7577]

Need anything? ... Upstairs.

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

SHOUDA PLAYED "Hurricane Camille" by Lightning. Just 4 yrs post after this was cut ! Robey kicked the bucket, and the scene changed. Johnny Copeland was soon to be the new king of the 3rd Ward, after a career in pugilism (did a live 25mjn radio show w him once, N Europe.). This is folk, not outlaw ! Whakinda name is Townes anyway ? Nevuhh have heard such besides this dude ; what s the nickname form .."Townie" ..? I d prefer this w a band, as if JJW, BJS, CLARK, even DAC. What killed him, btw, eby s RIPpin ..oh yeah, and LEE CLAYTON - the underrecorded 1 - RIP "If You Can Touch Her @ All" ...was this just a one-man show always ? Got few of his albs, but haven t listened em in ages, so can t recall ; Flyin Shoes is one. "Dress made of moonlite", that a memorable phrase ... 🇫🇮

[@somekindofghostt.j.c976]

#moganwade

[@ibcameron]

Man, Colter wall sounds a whole lot like him.

[@DjangoWineHeart]

Never liked C+W, it always struck me as overly sentimental and a bit cheesy....but I've gotten older and more importantly saw Towmes singing Waiting around to Die on Heartworm Highways and then heard Marie. Ok now I like some Country...Christ, I'll be 'getting' Jazz next!

[@werks99]

Never was country - folk, roots, Americana, but never country.

[@Auerbachskeller]

Neil young harvest moon full album

[@blackspring3207]

What

[@georgemoore2444]

Neil young couldn't carry Townes dirty laundry.

[@panchoizquierdo8847]

wrong answer

[@pamelasiner3862]

WTF?

[@doylegaines1319]

@@georgemoore2444 Don't be absurd. It's folly to compare the two.