Van Zandt, Townes: Live at the Old Quarter LP

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.