Astonishing!
Anthony Smith | Alexandria, VA | 09/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I picked this up at the local record store on a whim. After listening to the first three songs, I knew it was golden. I listened to both disks that evening. Now I'm telling all my friends to check it out.It was my first experience with Townes Van Zandt, except for the track "Dead Flowers" on the Big Lebowski soundtrack. His singing and acoustic playing are beyond description. Some tracks will have you reaching for a drink, or maybe even a spoon. This man knew the depths that a person could reach, and his music hauntingly reflects his experiences."
Superb Compilation of American Roots Music
T. Davis | Seattle, WA | 06/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Townes Van Zandt was a deeply troubled and self-destructive man with a gift for beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics. He was no great shakes as a singer, but his mournful voice gave his ballads a heart and a soul that made them come alive. Before he died at 52 of the abuse he heaped upon his weary body, he wrote hundreds of classic songs. This excellent 2-CD set presents a representative sampling of some of his most renowned tunes.
Mental illness and drug addiction meant that he never achieved great success during his lifetime, but he left a priceless body of work that is deeply loved by his fans. Often called a songwriter's songwriter, Van Zandt's work has been covered by a who's-who of American rock, country, and folk performers: Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, Joe Ely, Guy Clark, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and many more all praise him for his passion and talent and honesty. You can meet Townes and his friends in a terrific documentary entitled "Be Here to Love Me," which I also recommend."