Townes Van Zandt Live At The Old Quarter, Houston Texas 180g Vinyl 2LP
 
Culled from Townes Van Zandt's years of independently released country-folk records, this austere collection of songs here serves, in effect, as a greatest-hits package.
 
Van Zandt's dry, narrative wit was the source of influence for such singer-songwriters as Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, and Willie Nelson, and one would be hard-pressed to find a more simple, prettier love song than "If I Needed You" (a hit for Emmylou Harris) or a more riveting ballad than "Kathleen," both sung with focused precision.
 
"Brand New Companion" shows off Van Zandt's blues-picking expertise, "Talking Thunderbird Blues" demonstrates his wit and one of his best creations, "For the Sake of the Song" shows off his poetic strength.
 
A wonderful place to start your Townes Van Zandt fascination, this version of Live At The Old Quarter, Houston Texas comes courtesy of the Townes Van Zandt reissue series that Fat Posssum is undertaking in conjuction with the Van Zandt estate.
 
Townes Van Zandt Live At The Old Quarter, Houston Texas Track Listing:
 
1. Announcement
2. Pancho and Lefty
3. Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold
4. Don't You Take It Too Bad
5. Two Girls
6. Fraternity Blues
7. If I Needed You
8. Brand New Companion
9. White Freight Liner Blues
10. To Live's to Fly
11. She Came and She Touched Me
12. Talking Thunderbird Blues
13. Rex's Blues
14. Nine Pound Hammer
15. For the Sake of the Song
16. Chauffeur's Blues
17. No Place to Fall
18. Loretta
19. Kathleen
20. Why She's Acting This Way
21. Cocaine Blues
22. Who Do You Love
23. Tower Song
24. Waitin' 'Round to Die
25. Tecumseh Valley
26. Lungs
27. Only Him or Me