Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas

Townes Van Zandt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Fat Possum/TVZ Records
• ASIN: B00197U0MG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,982 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars townes van zandt's live classic, December 22, 2009

By 

Paul McMillen "Easy Money" (seattle, wa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas (Audio CD)

Last May Steve Earle released an album of Townes Van Zandt covers. He came to Seattle and did a free solo gig at an independent record store to promote his new album. I talked my brother-in-law into going. Earle played for about forty minutes or so, some of Townes' songs and his own tunes, one in particular called the Fort Worth Blues. Then he went behind the cashier counter to sign stuff. The
store had been packed with people and the autograph line was really too
long. Instead of waiting in line my bother-in-law and I went across the street and into a pub.
While we were having a beer I was thinking about whether to get a Townes Van Zandt CD instead of Earle's new one. During the show I had noticed that the store had stocked up on a lot of Townes' CD reissues. I remembered talking to Jerry, an old high school friend, once about Townes Van Zandt and he had recommended Live at the Old Quarter, saying that it was a classic. I decided I would pick up the Townes' Live CD and then ask Earle to sign it.
We went back, stood in the line and a half an hour later we got up to the counter. However, the joker just in front of us happened to be Steve Earle's biggest fan. He had his family, stack of CDs, a book, and a free poster for Earle to sign, and they also did a photo session with the rock star. Then it was my turn. I handed Steve Earle the same poster to sign and told him that I liked his Fort Worth song and that that was where I was born. He said that was also where Townes had been born. Then I handed him the Live at the Old Quarter CD and told him that he had inspired me to finally get it. He signed a big S and E on the inside cover and then stated that this was the "BEST RECORDED DOCUMENT OF TOWNES'S SONGS". Then my brother-in-law and I went back across the street to have another brew. I was happy. I hadn't felt that good about a music purchase in a long time.

I have listened to the Townes live album several times. It really is great. Townes' jokes are funny and the songs and the performance are amazing. He is a fine guitar player. I have also listened to Steve Earle's album. Earle does terrific versions of Townes songs. But the Townes' live album is certainly special.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Unrecognized, December 22, 2009

By 

M. Fernandez (NY, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas (Audio CD)

I didn't buy this from amazon (got it at a bargain CD place in my area), but I wanted to post a review somewhere, especially on a site I respect.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that Townes is now officially one of my favorite musical artists, ever. I'm a guy from NYC, born and raised, by the way, relatively young for a fan of his: 29, but this music translates to any mind or heart that appreciates the heartfelt experiences that Townes communicates through his music. His work is timeless, in my opinion. And it draws you into a feeling of being out west somewhere, living the life of a desperado or some other character, even if you're from NYC, like me.

I've listened to a lot of country, by the way, believe it or not, and I know Van Zandt isn't pure country, but he deserves a lot more recognition than some of the guys considered the greatest country artists in the genre, e.g, George Jones, Hank Williams (father and son), Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, etc.

For people who are fans of those guys, I am one too, I don't intend to offend anyone with my opinion; but Townes is really on another level, his music is pure: no pretentiousness, no interest, or at least it seems so, in impressing the listener. He's just a special musician. I'll be looking for more of his stuff.

Best to all, and listen to this, if you want to experience some great music. Thanks for reading.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Songwriting 101, September 16, 2009

By 

D. Chronister (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas (Audio CD)

This CD is a must for anyone even casually interested in the singer songwriter genre. Unfortunately, much of Townes music is woefully misrepresented by the misguided efforts of producers attempting to package his sound for the masses. All he needs is the acoustic guitar and a willing audience which is what Live at the Quarter is all about. The recordings are surprisely clear and offer a great testimony on why he is so revered. His idle chatter and off-kilter humor is priceless.

The set-list is amazing. The intimate setting allows you to really appreciate his songwriting gift. The man had his demons but has very few peers. To paraphrase the great Townes, "We all got holes to fill and them holes are all that's real".. Do yourself a favor and get this CD.