Customer Reviews

Rear View Mirror

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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!

I rarely write reviews of music but feel that I must share my impressions of this CD. I have long heard some of my favorite singers praise the songwriting prowess of Townes but somehow never got around to buying one of his records. I finally picked this one up because it had two songs that were covered by two of my favorite singers--Lyle Lovett-"Lungs" (among others) and Steve Earle-"Tecumseh Valley". I was blown away by the sheer beauty and poetry of every song on this recording. Other reviewers seem to be comparing this to other Townes' records. I come from a different angle. As someone who has long heard Townes sopken of with the highest praise, I can say this disk does not disappoint and will influence me to fill out my collection of his recordings. I will also say that I am deeply frustrated that I never took advantage of the chance to see Townes perform while he was alive.

Townes Van Zandt. His music pulls at something deep inside. Every song on this album is a classic. Most have been covered by artists such as Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, The Walkabouts, Cowboy Junkies and others. However, even these talented performers can rarely match the lonely, subtle beauty of these songs. Done live with just a second guitar and fiddle, in front of small audiences and taken from scratchy, fuzzy source tape, this is how these songs work best. Townes' whiskey soaked vocals give an older, wiser rendition of songs which sounded like the last words of a dying traveller 25 years ago. If you have 15 dollars to spend and already have at least 1 early Dylan album, buy this CD before any other. Then, lock yourself in a room with half a pot of coffee or a bottle of rye and listen to it straight through. There is nothing better.

Most tracks on this incredible album sound better live than in the studio. My first Townes album was "Flyin Shoes"--a great one, too--but the songs sound better here. Other especially strong performances are "Our Mother the Mountain", "White Freightliner Blues" and "Tecumseh Valley." If you're going to buy just 1 Townes CD, this might be the one to get.

Sometimes you happen upon a work of genius .... this is one of those times. Open a bottle of ruby red wine, close the world outside, play Tower Song and wonder why he can sing it so true. Brilliant ... yet So Sad.

I just love this collection; it starts with the haunting "Pancho & Lefty" and includes many of Townes' best including my other faves, "Our Mother the Mountain" and "Tecumseh Valley." The tones are rich and the fiddle accompaniment of Owen Cody is very sweet and tastefully arranged.

Townes Van Zant was a great folk and folk country singer. This album has to be by far his best. Iv'e never heard an album more heartfelt than Rear View Mirror. His vocals, his guitar, and a fiddle, combine to be a great relaxing soothing combination. This album as some upbeat tunes that i guess you could say sounds like bluegrass and/or country. This of course being a live album you can still feel the emotion through him. I cant say anymore except everyone should own this album..except George Bush. I great buy..R.I.P. Townes Van Zant.

Townes Van Zandt is second only to Johnny Cash as my favorite country artist. This album adeptly showcases that. With his gravelly voice supported so gracefully by the second guitar and violin, you feel that this is truly how Townes Van Zandt's music was meant to be heard. I even prefer his version of "Poncho and Lefty" to Willie Nelson's duet with Merle Haggard. Van Zandt's music is stunning and impressive. It's far better than anything coming out of Nashville. Indeed, many popular country artists should take heed of this album and realize this is the way country was meant to be and sound. Van Zandt sings about life and the honesty of emotion and experience. This is not some sugarcoated, pop tainted country album. This is as pure as country can be.