Legend (The Best Of Townes Van Zandt) - Townes Van Zandt

Advantages: Brilliant collection covering the peak of Van Zandts' career
Disadvantages: None that I can think of

...and allows a real focus on Van Zandt's guitar and voice. Such musical simplicity, matched with poetic lyrics, is the reason why other artists began to take notice of Townes Van Zandt now, why country artists see him as "the songwriter's songwriter", and why it is so criminal that he is still so unknown outside of the music genre he is associated with. Townes Van Zandt (1970) picks up where Our Mother The Mountain left off. Re-recorded opener 'For The Sake Of The Song' is possibly the best song here, a magnificent slow-building epic that never even hints at becoming overblown, as the music always compliments that yearning, lost voice. Of the other re-recorded songs, 'Waitin' Around To Die' is a desolate masterpiece, driven by Townes guitar and dark lyrics ("Now I'm out of prison, I've got me a friend at last/[...]/He name's codeine, he... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Eight of the greatest albums ever made
Disadvantages: None

...TVZ was the greatest songwriter, lyricist, and singer ever. I was lucky enought to see him play live, once in Leicester in 1994, and then in London in December 1995. Both awesome experiences. This cd box set has his first 8 albums bunged onto 4 cds at a knockdown price. If I hadn't bought all of these ages ago, i would have got this like a shot. TVZ plays toubadour country folk like no one else. His songs have been covered by the likes of Emmylou Harris and other really famous superstars. If you like a bit of folk/Dylan/Cohen, then you'll absolutely love Townes Van Zandt. Mr Mudd and Mr Gold is probably the greatest song ever written. Apocalyptic lyrics about a card game that mean so much. Any of his songs could be cited as a superb example of a man who scated the frayed ends of sanity and takes you to right... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Good collection of their hits.
Disadvantages: Can get v. repetitive and drab.

...Well this double CD beast of a release from the 70’s and 80’s rocks legends contains 36 tracks of their greatest hits; with 3 live version of some of their most famous songs. Some of these tracks are even previously unreleased tracks too, so there is something to keep any fan happy! 2h 35min and 26 seconds of value for money! 01 – Eruption A blindingly fast and furious opener. It is his trademark tapping soloing work, the tune although not fantastic is enjoyable. 02 – It’s about time Opens with a damn cool metal sounding riff, which almost doesn’t sound like Van Halen at all until the singing starts. This is one of the tracks previously unreleased, and its pleasantly good, not too different from the classics, but it shows they still have it. Overall a big thumbs up! 03 – Up for breakfast Starting off with a weird pulsating... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful