A rarity in the simplicity and beauty of themes and sound
Ernest Boehm | Des Plaines, IL United States | 07/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard of Townes Van Zandt from his recording and song writing for Cowboy Junkies. Didn't realize how great this man sounded until I got a few of his solo CDs. In Pain is full of folky-blues sound from an man great home grown guitar sound and a rasp of a voice. This raspy voice does not grate at the ears but shapes stories sad and sometimes pessimestic. Yet after hearing them I feel up lifted. For the songs are filled with the desires of man and women and the pleasure and pain that they bring. The guitar sound reminds me of Robert Johnson in its masterful yet primative tone and his voice remind me of a quite version of Elmore James with his great emotional sway.To LIVE IS TO FLY is one of the happiest songs and greatest love songs ever written.All you early Stones fan who loved their first blues sound, You have to HEAR Townes's version of YOU GOTTA MOVE .This is a real tresure for a music lover who is looking to expand a music collection."
Gone but not forgotten ...
dlimper | 10/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This record of Van Zandt is simply one of the best ones he ever did. I was lucky enough to see him perform in germany during 1998, one of his very last shows. It was just him and his guitar, and it still sends chills down my bones ... and this record is just like you could have seen him live on stage. In his very old days."