The songs of Townes Van Zandt are destined to be for folk artists what
the works of Gershwin are to saloon singers. The likes of "Pancho &
Lefty," "If I Needed You," and "To Live's to Fly" are the quintessence
of troubadour music, thanks to the somber grace of the late Lone Star
legend's language and the engaging simplicity of his melodies. Poet
gathers a talented assortment of Van Zandt contemporaries and apostles
to pay tribute to the man by lovingly reinterpreting his songs. Steve Earle electrifies "Two Girls" while Billy Joe Shaver
tackles "White Freightliner Blues" with similar fervor. "Tower Song,"
one of the most poignant breakup songs ever written, is revived by Nanci Griffith, and Willie Nelson
provides a conversational version of "Marie." Stalwart fans of these
gems will always prefer hearing the originals and live versions
performed by their composer, but they'll find plenty to respect and
enjoy in this lovingly compiled salute. --Steven Stolder
1. To Live's To Fly - Guy Clark 2. Tower Song - Nanci Griffith 3. White Freightliner Blues - Billy Joe Shaver 4. Highway Kind - Cowboy Junkies 5. Snake Song - Emmylou Harris 6. If I Needed You - Ray Benson 7. Loretta - John Prine 8. Nothin' - Lucinda Williams 9. Blue Wind Blew - The Flatlanders 10. Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold - Robert Earl Keen 11. Two Girls - Steve Earle & The Dukes 12. Marie - Willie Nelson 13. Pancho & Lefty - Delbert McClinton 14. Waitin' 'Round to Die - Pat Haney 15. My Proud Mountains - John T. Van Zandt |
