Townes Van Zandt Remembered

[Yodelinpol]

Townes Van Zandt was the master songwriter's master songwriter.

His music has made much tougher men than me weep. He has influenced american music deeply.

He would have been 67 this past Monday.

I hope he is where the sunshine always walks beside him.

Rest in peace Townes.





Steve Earle sang If I needed You at my wedding in 1996 just 5 weeks before Townes died. I was in Nashville recording with Steve the day after Townes died. He loved Townes like a brother. I never knew Townes and didn't have to.

[justinf]

Townes Van Zandt was the master songwriter's master songwriter.

His music has made much tougher men than me weep. He has influenced american music deeply.

He would have been 67 this past Monday.

I hope he is where the sunshine always walks beside him.

Rest in peace Townes.

Says a lot coming from you.

[JoB]

F'ing cool. Thank you!

[jim in pc]

Shortly after I became aware of Townes' music, I took a very long, very leisurely drive from NYC to Albuquerque via New Orleans, Fairbanks and San Francisco, car-camping most of the way. Listened to *a lot* of Townes that summer. ('91, 20 years ago, wow.) Have listened to a lot since. Saw him once about the same time you married, fall of '96, at Johnny D's in Davis Sq. Good show.

Love Steve, too. All those guys. Steve Young, John Hiatt... "Heartworn Highways" is revered in this house. Is it possible I have anything you've played on?

It's my 11th anniversary today, think Ill go play my bride "No Place To Fall." I think she's gotten use to my crappy singing and playing by now.

[mnoble485]

Having fought the same demons as Townes and somehow come out on the other side I am drawn to his music. I seem to gravitate to the music of those who have have battled addiction and either won or lost but were all tempered in the flame.
I saw John Hiatt a couple of years ago. Sweet.
Mike

[Steevo]

Nice. Thanks for posting this.

[sonnybiker]

ps: check out justin townes earle

steve earle's son
named after townes van zandt

one of the best musicians i've ever heard and one of the greatest live performers i've ever seen.

[C.Dyer]

He breaks my heart every time. Thanks for writing this Yodelinpol.

[mnoble485]

+1

Mike

[Tom]

There are several of his songs that every time I hear them I determine that one is the finest song written, but I return each time to what I think is his best known, for these lines. For some reason at this point in my time they say the very most to me in the fewest words:

...Pancho deserves your prayers, it's true
but save a few for Lefty, too
He only did what he had to do
and now, he's growing old

[Yodelinpol]

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