Since I did a Tom Waits tribute last year (here and here), I figured I'd spotlight another great songwriter this year. This time, it's the Texas troubador, Townes Van Zandt. Now, Townes songs may not lend themselves to quite the stylistic variations that Waits' do, but they're still some pretty dandy songs. I should point out that there are some pretty good Townes compilations already out there (There's a Hole in Heaven Where Some Sin Gets Through, Introducing the Townes Van Zandt via The Great Unknown, Poet, as well a nice homemade mixtape at the website whenyouawake.com, all of which I took a couple of tracks from.) So it's hardly an original idea, but I hope folks still like it. I'll post Disc Two next week.
Snake Song Emmylou Harris
Our Mother the Mountain Great Lake Swimmers
For the Sake of the Song Azure Ray
Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold Robert Earl Keen
Rex's Blues Carrie Rodriguez
I'll Be Here In The Morning Jerry Jeff Walker
Que Te Vaya Bien, Miss Carrusel Nacho Vegas
Snowing on Raton Rosalie Sorrels
No Place To Fall Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
Rake Rhonda Harris
Colorado Girl Devendra Banhart
Snake Mountain Blues Hero Horns
Waiting Around To Die The Be Good Tanyas
My Proud Mountains John T. Van Zandt
9 comments:
This is great! Townes, and Austin country in general, doesn't get enough recognition. That "When I Awake" blog that you linked to is a fascinating place as well, with lots of artwork and artisans. I'm looking forward to disc two!
@foursteps,
When You Awake is a really good blog (and I don't think I would have found Gillian Welch's live version of Pancho and Lefty (on the forthcoming disc two) without its inclusion on the Townes covers mixtape.
Thanks for this as well as the blog in general. Your mixtapes get regular listening at work and in the car.
Merry Christmas
Townes was fantastic. His version of Pancho and Lefty might be my favorite recording ever (though I do love Wichita Lineman). Anyway, after going through your whole blog (quickly) I wonder if you like Laura Cantrell's music. I think you would. Click on my name to hear a few songs.
@antproof,
Quite welcome and Merry Xmas right back at you. (also like the name. :)
@Paul,
Of course, I like Laura Cantrell. :) Her first album is especially great.
Thanks for the Townes compilation but I miss The Flatlanders or Joe Ely even though you included Jimmie Dale. All the best. bostig
@Bostig,
One of the problems with putting together the Townes comp was that there were a lot of covers of the same song, so I had to leave some good folks off (plus I really do like JD Crowe's take on White Freightliner Blues)
Point taken. And thnaks for all good compilations. Happy new year
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