Townes Van Zandt
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Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 - January 1, 1997) was a country music songwriter and performer.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of an oil executive, he travelled in his youth around Texas and Colorado. He was the great great great grandchild of Isaac Van Zandt, a prominent leader of the Republic of Texas and early state of Texas.
Influential in the sub-genre referred to as Alternative Country, his Texas-grounded impact stretched farther than country. One of his major influences was Texas Blues man Lightnin' Hopkins whose songs were a constant part of his repertoire.
Townes was master of the small, intimate show where he'd weave song and story into an unforgettable evening for those lucky enough to witness. He regulary performed with his great friend and contemporary, Guy Clark. Generally shy and reserved, Van Zandt's performances featured a dry humor — an integral part of his songwriting. Early in his career he wrote many light-hearted and humorous songs, Van Zandt soon harnessed his talent for dark and bittersweet love songs and ballads like "For the Sake of the Song" and "Tecumseh Valley".
For the most part he performed for small but appreciative audiences in Texas bars. Tomato Records released a 2-disc live album from the Old Quarter in Houston, Texas that captured him in such a performance. It includes his most popular and definitive songs such as "Lungs", "For the Sake of the Song", "Tecumseh Valley", "To Live Is To Fly", and his most famous (thanks to numerous covers, most notably by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard), "Pancho & Lefty".
He continued writing and performing at his own pace through the 1990s until his premature death in 1997. Townes will be remembered as a great songwriter who left a legacy of great songs and inspired musicians.
Quotes about Van Zandt
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." - Steve Earle.
External link
- Townes Van Zandt Central (http://www.townesvanzandt.com/)
- Townes Van Zandt Blue Sky Homepage (http://ippc2.orst.edu/coopl/tvzindex.html)
- Townes Van Zandt Lyrics (http://home.swipnet.se/~w-36794/tvz/)
- All Music Guide entry for Townes Van Zandt (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:85n20r4ar48p)