Rear View Mirror

Townes Van Zandt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: TVZ Records
• ASIN: B00110K5ZI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,656 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST FROM THE BEST, July 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Rear View Mirror (Audio CD)

After a drinking buddy kept harping on me to get this album I finally broke down and got it. It was my first introduction to TVZ and I was consequently blown away. What I heard was a cross between Hank Williams and Leonard Cohen beating Dylan at his own game. It made a believer out of me.

Though I now have practically everything he ever recorded, I still keep coming back to this one. As a songwriter and someone who's on the road alot, I find this record to be an indispensible traveling companion.

If you're familiar with Van Zandt you've probably heard "Poncho & Lefty". If not, then you've probably heard it covered by the likes of say, Emmy Lou Harris or Willie Nelson. It's a great song and in my estimation this is quite possibly the best version you're ever likely to hear. It's author offers up a stark, desperate rendition, casting all others aside and setting the tone for what's to come.

The original studio versions of "Our Mother The Mountain" & "tecumseh valley", pale in comparison to the live performances here. "Tecumseh" particulary more heart wrenching & driven than it's draggy studio counterpart. It's just killer. On "Mountain", Owen Cody's fiddle adds a harrowing touch to Van Zandt's impassioned vocal. In general, all the performances on this disc leave their previous incarnations behind. "Lungs", "waiting Around To Die", " Dollar Blues"---everything has an undisputable edge.

I can't emphasize enough how great this album is. It's not only a comprehensive overview of TVZ's finest work, it's one of the best albums I've ever heard. Call it folk, rock, country---the man's music defies all genres. He was an original and if you are in need of an introduction, here's the place to start.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REAR VIEW MIRROR - TVZ Records Re-issue, April 14, 2008

By 

Jenna Smith "Jen" (Austin, TX USofA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rear View Mirror (Audio CD)

Good news to see this great record back on the market!

Originally released in 1993, "Rear View Mirror" Is TVZ Live at his very best IMHO. With 17 of Townes' classic songs and a 3 piece band, Townes is in great form and you can tell he's having a great time interacting with his players. You can't go wrong with this one, it's timeless.
With the much improve mastering and packaging by TVZ Records this ones a must for your collection!

Jen

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE DEFINITIVE TOWNES VAN ZANDT RECORDINGS..., April 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rear View Mirror (Audio CD)

Listening to this CD, I feel as if this is the way the songs should have been done all along. A second guitar and a fiddle is all that is needed for accompaniment in any TVZ song. This is Townes at his most intimate and at his best. The songs speak directly to you. And what a set of songs he performs on this CD! Townes Van Zandt wrote songs about life, and if you've done any living at all, you'll recognize the genius in his telling of life. This CD is a collection of some of his best songs that leaves you yearning for more!

Whether you are a novice looking for a sample or a true fan looking for the crown jewel to add to your collection, this is THE Townes Vand Zandt CD to own!