{"title":"Townes Van Zandt","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Townes Van Zandt\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTownes Van Zandt (1944-1997) was an American singer-songwriter born in Fort Worth, Texas. Despite struggles with addiction and mental health and limited commercial recognition during his life, he became one of the most admired songwriters in American music. His songs have been recorded by countless artists, most famously the Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard version of Pancho and Lefty. He died on January 1, 1997.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVan Zandt worked in folk, country, and what would later be called Americana and outlaw country circles. His songs are marked by spare arrangements, fingerpicked guitar, and literate, deeply emotional lyrics exploring loss, freedom, and mortality. He is frequently cited as one of the greatest songwriters America has produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur Mother the Mountain (1969)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTownes Van Zandt (1969)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDelta Momma Blues (1971)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas (1977)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVan Zandt's catalog, originally on labels like Poppy and Tomato, has been reissued repeatedly, including by Fat Possum and other labels, often in remastered and colored-vinyl editions. Original early pressings are highly collected given the songwriter's posthumously elevated reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Townes Van Zandt often start with the self-titled album (1969) or Live at the Old Quarter (1977). For related listening, see \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/folk-vinyl-records\"\u003eFolk \u0026amp; Indie Folk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/folk-vinyl-records\"\u003eFolk \u0026amp; Indie Folk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-for-the-sake-of-the-song-vinyl","title":"For the Sake of the Song LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eTownes Van Zandt wrote songs with an uncommon grace and poetic clarity, and he sang them with a voice that was at once straightforward, eloquent, and mindful of the arid beauty of his images\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540811428023,"sku":"210000050611","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1968658.jpg?v=1781154348"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-flyin-shoes-vinyl","title":"Flyin' Shoes LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis title is the first in a series of Townes Van Zandt reissues that Fat Possum is undertaking in conjunction with the Van Zandt estate. Originally released in 1978, FLYIN SHOES is now reissued.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540811493559,"sku":"210000053117","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1478153.jpg?v=1781154348"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-sky-blue-vinyl-0633","title":"Sky Blue LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eSky Blue, a collection of unreleased songs by one of the most celebrated songwriters of the twentieth century, is a time capsule that Townes Van Zandt created forty-six years ago, and we’re only now just unearthing and opening it to find the treasures inside.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540811690167,"sku":"210000045900","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/r-13306278-1551826658-4170jpeg.jpg?v=1781154349"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-in-the-beginning-vinyl","title":"In the Beginning LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eEssential Townes Van Zandt!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540811755703,"sku":"210000048828","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/afat-12061-91590-05072013031830-9756.jpg?v=1781154349"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-delta-momma-blues-vinyl","title":"Delta Momma Blues LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eWidely considered one of the greatest songwriters of his generation, Townes Van Zandt has been hailed by such singers as Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540827123895,"sku":"210000050450","price":25.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/afat-10881-54885-01152009124427-3226.jpg?v=1781154405"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-live-at-tavastia-helsinki-93-vinyl","title":"Live at Tavastia, Helsinki '93 LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eStripped back, it features just the voice and guitar of TVZ, a voice that whilst still full of conviction, appears somewhat more fragile than on the previous recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540827320503,"sku":"210000088057","price":25.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4312279-3125291.jpg?v=1781154405"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-self-titled-vinyl-180g","title":"Self-Titled LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginally released in 1969, Towne Van Zandt's self-titled album is reissued now.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540842721463,"sku":"210000048826","price":26.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1424152.jpg?v=1781154460"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-live-at-the-old-quarter-vinyl","title":"Live at the Old Quarter 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe collection of songs is solid. He didn't play every favorite at the Old Quarter… Or they didn't make it on the record, but such is life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540946989239,"sku":"210000047315","price":31.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1479419.jpg?v=1781154819"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-towns-the-best-of-vinyl","title":"The Best of... 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the profound artistry of Townes Van Zandt with \"The Best of... 2LP,\" a stunning collection of his most memorable tracks, pressed on black vinyl. This 2-LP set showcases Van Zandt's signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and country melodies, ensuring that each listening session resonates deeply. Perfect for both long-time fans and newcomers, this compilation captures the essence of a true American singer-songwriter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48772767383735,"sku":"210000047434","price":31.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3725158-2618682.jpg?v=1782828135"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-sky-blue-vinyl-0619","title":"Sky Blue LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eTownes Van Zandt's \"Sky Blue\" offers an important glimpse into his artistry, pressed on striking blue vinyl by Fat Possum Records. Released on March 7, 2019, this LP embodies the haunting beauty of Van Zandt's narratives, featuring richly woven acoustic melodies that connect intimately with his personal reflections. It serves as a reminder of his significant role in shaping the country folk scene, where his influence resonates well beyond his era.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785769365687,"sku":"210000050382","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3649526-2618707.jpg?v=1783045866"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-a-far-cry-from-dead-vinyl","title":"A Far Cry from Dead LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eFriction crackles through Townes Van Zandt's stories woven into the grooves of A Far Cry from Dead, where every note hints at a sunburnt Southern highway stretching toward lost horizons. This LP features heartfelt gems like \"Dollar Bill Blues\" and \"To Live Is to Fly,\" recorded with precision at the Texhoma Music Group Studio. A lineup of skilled musicians complements Van Zandt's poignant delivery, merging life's grind with the unyielding power of song.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785785520311,"sku":"210000087159","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4195766-3165218.jpg?v=1783045916"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-rear-view-mirror-vinyl","title":"Rear View Mirror 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"...The 17-song set finds Van Zandt in fine form - upbeat, gracious, apparently sober - and in good company, with fiddler Owen Cody and guitarist Danny Rowland adding a dimension of musical enhancement that never overwhelms the nuances of the material.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785790337207,"sku":"210000047558","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/rearviewmirror.jpg?v=1783045927"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-our-mother-the-mountain-vinyl","title":"Our Mother the Mountain LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur Mother the Mountain is the second album by country singer\/songwriter Townes Van Zandt, released in 1969.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785893294263,"sku":"210000045901","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/81lun7itqal-sl1500.jpg?v=1783046217"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-nashville-sessions-color-vinyl","title":"Nashville Sessions LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1974, Townes Van Zandt recorded what would have been his seventh album, 'Seven Come Eleven'. Business issues prevented it's release until the recordings surfaced two decades later as 'The Nashville Sessions' In 2014.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785944871095,"sku":"210000092385","price":39.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4357399-3212178.jpg?v=1783046360"},{"product_id":"van-zandt-townes-somebody-had-to-write-it-vinyl","title":"Somebody Had to Write It LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eTownes Van Zandt's Somebody Had to Write It LP stands as an intimate collection of his live acoustic performances. Featuring enduring tracks like \"Pancho \u0026amp; Lefty\" and \"If I Needed You,\" this album provides not just music but a personal insight into his artistry. The inclusion of interview segments reveals Van Zandt's thoughts and motivations, enhancing the listener's understanding of the man behind the guitar. These recordings serve as a significant chronicle of his life, allowing us to grasp the depth of his songwriting through his own words.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785955422391,"sku":"210000084740","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3852392-2597414.jpg?v=1783046389"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/townes-van-zandt.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}