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Editorial Reviews
Townes had just finished the most prolific run of songwriting and recording in his career when he recorded this 1973 double-LP. It's not just his best live album, but maybe his best album, period: Pancho & Lefty; For the Sake of a Song; Waitin' 'Round to Die; No Place to Fall; Loretta; If I Needed You; Tecumseh Valley , and 20 more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By T. Hermes
Format:Audio CD
Next to Cash's Live at Folsom, this is the best country/folk/Americana live album ever made. I personally have always considered Bob Dylan far and away the premier songwriter of his time and I was put off by Steve Earle's oft quoted statement that TVZ is the best songwriter in the world (and he will stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in his cowboy boots and say that).
Ahhhh, this album shows Earle to be very close to being right. Townes' songs are PERFECTLY written, every word and phrase in their exact places. Like Mozart hearing his opera in his head fully formed, Townes seems to do the same, like an angel sent down to Earth to be a conduit from the Creator to us mere mortals. Like Van Gough, his work will prove to be timeless, growing in stature and value as the ages roll.
Dylan's work is, of course, wonderful,immense, historical - a body of work that will stand the test of time as surely as any of the great classical composers.
Van Zandt's work is different. It's poetry in its pure form. It's lovely and understated and complex and timeless and it, too, is a great body of work. Not revolutionary, no anthems, just songs to be sung and LISTENED to and enjoyed. Songs that grow with every listening, songs that stand as art, songs that sound like every other song until it hits you that they are like no other songs.
Recorded at The Old Quarter in Houston, TX over five steamy nights in July 1973, Live at The Old Quarter captures for posterity the genius that is Townes Van Zandt at the artistic height of his live performances.
Ahhhh, this album shows Earle to be very close to being right. Townes' songs are PERFECTLY written, every word and phrase in their exact places. Like Mozart hearing his opera in his head fully formed, Townes seems to do the same, like an angel sent down to Earth to be a conduit from the Creator to us mere mortals. Like Van Gough, his work will prove to be timeless, growing in stature and value as the ages roll.
Dylan's work is, of course, wonderful,immense, historical - a body of work that will stand the test of time as surely as any of the great classical composers.
Van Zandt's work is different. It's poetry in its pure form. It's lovely and understated and complex and timeless and it, too, is a great body of work. Not revolutionary, no anthems, just songs to be sung and LISTENED to and enjoyed. Songs that grow with every listening, songs that stand as art, songs that sound like every other song until it hits you that they are like no other songs.
Recorded at The Old Quarter in Houston, TX over five steamy nights in July 1973, Live at The Old Quarter captures for posterity the genius that is Townes Van Zandt at the artistic height of his live performances.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By M. Fernandez
Format: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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
Shipping was quick. Album was received w/ no damage. And the music is incredible. One of, if not THE, best live album I've ever heard.
Published 9 days ago by Scott Ivey
5.0 out of 5 stars
TVZ is the best
If you're thinking of ordering this, you already know he's the best. This is a great show. Just Townes and his guitar. Don't think about it. Just buy it.
Published 10 days ago by Charles Sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great live recording!
Intimate setting with Townes at the top of his game. Really soulful performance.
Highly recommended if you like Townes or are just getting into his music.
Highly recommended if you like Townes or are just getting into his music.
Published 25 days ago by Adam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Too sly!
What an album! Boy knew how to write 'em! His voice is earnest and true, and his pickin' is so fine! The lyrics are up there with Cohen and Dylan!
Published 1 month ago by Ol' Paw-Paw
5.0 out of 5 stars
great!
Excellent recording, great quality. If you are a Townes fan, you'll love it. If you aren't, you will become one.
Published 1 month ago by amyhirschbach
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Townes
This old re-mastered recording is just awesome. The songs are classic Townes. I would recommend this CD to all who love a great storyteller.
Published 1 month ago by Marci Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album!
Don't sleep on a Townes Van Zandt re-pressing! Pick it up while you have the chance. You wont regret it.
Published 2 months ago by Brandon T. Lannie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Live is better
I always felt that there was something missing from the Townes Van Zandt studio recordings that I heard. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Donald E. Gilliland
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Cigarette machine's upstairs! ...not here to talk about that"
Townes Van Zandt / Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas (2 CD set): You don't have this set? Really? Well ya need to get it. Read more
Published 16 months ago by J. Bynum
5.0 out of 5 stars
An absolute necessity
I've owned a copy of Live at the Old Quarter for 10+ years and I'm writing this review just in case someone is 'on-the-fence' about buying it. Read more
Published 22 months ago by DeAnne
Listmania!
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