Computer Age

Townes Van Zandt
The Troubadour Of Texas

Townes Van Zandt was born in Forth Worth, Texas in 1944. Member of a large family and son of a Texan oil tycoon discurriría his life down a path very different from the one that was defined for up to become one of the most important figures of popular culture in the twentieth century.
The music of Townes Van Zandt, always in-between the Country, the Blues and Folk has influenced many musicians of our time, from Steve Earle (Fan acknowledged) to Wilco, passing by groups as diverse as My Morning Jacket, Jayhawks or Uncle Tupelo, and his turbulent life has come to draw the figure of Townes Van Zandt as one of those creators dark mitómanos so dear to me.

Van Zandt begins to compose at an early age, heavily influenced in his compositions by musicians such as Lighting Hopkins, Guy Clarke or the Bob Dylan and with barely 20 years he traveled to Nashville guided by another influential musician country: Mickey Newbury, and they begin to give compose their first concerts since his early adult songs.
His first album "For The Sake Of A Song" is published in 1968 and receives a receipt rather discreet in public and criticize, but allows you to settle down and become more or less with a name in the area of Nashville where he will offer plenty of shows.
In this era Townes Van Zandt lived in a small hut in a forest of Tenesse without telephone and away from the bustle of the city. From this stage is the video that we presented a day, which appears in this cottage interpreting "Waiting Around To Die" before the eyes of his girlfriend and her neighbor.
To better understand this and other times we have to talk about the mental condition of Van Zandt. Diagnosed with manic-depressive syndrome at age 20, had to undergo a strict treatment for years, which was undermining its report (it is said that continually forgot songs live). In addition he was gradually taking more and more problems with drinking, which accentuated the problems of memory and a negative frame his character, shy and reserved but with a particular sense of humor.

The season that runs from 1968 to 1973 is the most prolific phase of the musician Texans. During these years he recorded his best albums and composed his best songs. Already in this first disc of 68 offers everything a recital of compositions ranging from sublime to the most overwhelming thoughts on loneliness in key folk as "For The Sake Of A Son" or that "Waiting Around To Die" a bright and hopeful songs as the beautiful "I'll Be Here In The Morning" passing light and humorous themes like "Talkin 'Karate Blues."
"Our Mother The Mountain", her second album, is considered his first true masterpiece. Published in 1969 obtained a commercial impact a little better than the first record, and that is that the effort made by his company, Tomato Records, led to bigger and better arrangements on some songs for the rest simply stunning. Emphasize here the precious "Kathleen" and the apocalyptic lyrics laden with symbolism of "Our Mother The Mountain" and especially "St John The Gambler."
"Townes Van Zandt" (1970) contains new versions of their classic first two albums, very changed, much more dark, mysterious with themes such as "Lungs."
His next studio work, "Delta Momma Blues" (1971), "High, Low & In Between" (1972) and "The Late, Great Townes Van Zandt" (1972), all recorded in Tomato and badly distributed, to show Van Zandt an increasingly introspective and cryptic, leaving the once profuse productions on issues of character and Folk Blues.

After a live album released in 77 ( "Live At The Old Quarter") and one new record a year later study ( "Flyin 'Shoes"), Townes Van Zandt happen almost a decade without re-record, offering small actions in the area of Texas and Nashville and watching as his problems with alcohol are getting worse day after day.

Recognized as a teacher for the younger generation of musicians Americans, the figure of Townes Van Zandt emerge shyly at the end of the 80. Recorded a remarkable new studio album, "At My Window" (1987) and even embarks on a tour with Cowboy Junkie. In the following years Van Zandt continues to deliver discs of various kinds (versions, reinterpretations, direct) until his death in 1997, to 52 years of age.

The legacy and influence of Townes Van Zandt in the music of our time is invaluable and even today it is a real pleasure to dive into those old songs, loaded with sincerity and hope.

Listen:
I'll Be Here In The Morning

Kathleen

St. John The Gambler

Recommended items:
-For The Sake Of A Song: Article published in My Back Pages