Computer Age

Townes Van Zandt
The Texas Troubadour

Townes Van Zandt was born in Forth Worth, Texas in 1944. An important family member and son of a Texan oil tycoon discurriría his life on a path very different from what was defined for him to become one of the most important figures in popular culture in the twentieth century.
The music of Townes Van Zandt, always straddling the Country, Blues and Folk has influenced many musicians of our time, from Steve Earle (Fan acknowledged) to Wilco, from 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 the creators dark mitómanos so dear to me.

Van Zandt began composing at an early age, strongly influenced by musicians in his compositions as Lighting Hopkins, Guy Clarke or the Bob Dylan barely 20 years and traveled to Nashville guided by another influential country music: Mickey Newbury, and then begin to their first concerts and composing his first songs adults.
His first album "For The Sake Of A Song" was published in 1968 and receives a receipt rather discrete public criticism, but you can settle down and become more or less with a name in the Nashville area where many offer shows.
At this time Townes Van Zandt lived in a small hut in a forest Tenesse without telephone and away from the bustle of the city. This stage is the video we present one days ago, which appears in this cottage performing "Waiting Around To Die" before the eyes of his girlfriend and his neighbor.
To better understand this and other times we have to talk about the mental condition of Van Zandt. Diagnosed with manic-depressive syndrome for 20 years, had to undergo a strict treatment for years, which was undermining its memory (it is said that continually forgetting songs live). Moreover gradually taking more and more problems with drinking, which exacerbated the problems of memory and its negative part, shy and reserved but with a particular sense of humor.

The time that goes from 1968 to 1973 is the most prolific musician of Texas. During these years he recorded his best albums and composed his best songs. Already in the first record of 68 offers a recital of compositions ranging from the sublime more overwhelming reflections 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 topics as "Talkin 'Karate Blues."
"Our Mother the Mountain," his second album, is considered his first true masterpiece. Published in 1969 obtained a commercial impact a little better than the first album, which is that the effort made by his company, Tomato Records, enabled more and better arrangements for some other songs simply wonderful. Emphasize the beautiful "Kathleen" and the apocalyptic lyrics loaded 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, changed very much darker, with intriguing topics as "Lungs."
His next work study, "Delta Momma Blues" (1971), "High, Low & In Between" (1972) and "The Late, Great Townes Van Zandt" (1972), all recorded for Tomato and badly distributed, show Van Zandt an increasingly introspective and cryptic, leaving the once abundant productions on issues of character and Folk Blues.

Following a live album released in 77 ( "Live At The Old Quarter") and another new studio album a year later ( "Flyin 'Shoes"), Townes Van Zandt spend nearly a decade without re-record, offering small actions in the area of Texas and Nashville and seeing how his problems with alcohol worse day after day.

Recognized as a teacher for new generations of musicians Americans, the figure of Townes Van Zandt timidly emerge in the late 80s. Recorded a remarkable new studio album, "At My Window" (1987) and embarks on a tour with Cowboy Junkies. In the years following Van Zandt continues to deliver various kinds of discs (versions, re-direct) until his death in 1997, to 52 years old.

The legacy and influence of Townes Van Zandt in the music of our time is invaluable and even today is a real pleasure to dive into those old songs, full of 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