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Nashville sessions, huh. Yes, this is something of a TVZ landmark recording, one that first time around in 1993 took twenty years to surface, and now twenty years later still we have a re-produced version. Though the music sounds slicker than his stripped back best work some may argue it could well gain a wider audience than ever before. But I doubt it, since that magical aching blues and edgy feel loses out to a bigger production, and more players than his intimate style of songwriter calls for.
It is the spare, personal approach those into his work hanker for most, and aren’t generally so keen for this slickness. The album is a little produced to me, the lyrics and even his voice lose that magic. Good though it is to hear him, and not like some of the bootleg type live recordings of latter in his career by which time he was but a shadow of the real Townes Van Zandt! At least his voice was still strong then. Among the 12-track set you have such ‘big’ Townes’ songs as “Loretta”, “White Freight Liner Blues”; a song that has attracted countless covers, some hot ones too, “No Place To Fall” plus “Rex’s Blues” (written for one-time owner of Houston’s Old Quarter Moon bar, Rex Bell) and “Buckskin Stallion Blues” plus “At My Window”; the latter two came out on an album (Sugar Hill, 1987) of the same name. Townes’ chaotic life-style, poor judge in decisions taken, both regards where he placed his trust and direction he took musically proved he never attained the status (as in a major record deal) of Guy Clark but during a short time (1970s) he both wrote and recorded enough to outdo mere mortals, and those said to be great in the business.
Though my review could be classed as being critical of The Nashville Sessions it still does contain some excellent work, but I would direct you ears and avid attention to; namely “Rex’s Blues”, which glides like it were on eagle’s wings, poignant ode “No Place To Fall” and the graceful “Buckskin Stallion Blues”. Plus on given a bluegrass feel (banjo, Dobro and fetching harmony vocals) “White Freight Liner Blues”, and with a typical dark blues feel to it “Snake Song” pops open a new bag of emotions. Old classic “Loretta” entwined in fiddle, harmonica and more fine harmony vocals sounds like I have never heard it before (though no better or as good, I still enjoyed it !). Certainly not as poetic, heart wrenching or vividly evocative as his sublime version on Live At The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas. “Spider Song” on the other hand comes across strong, while there is no denying the beauty of “When She Don’t Need Me”, and with something of a contemporary edge “Pueblo Waltz”. Be sure to check-out other remastered releases of TVZ Poppy and Tomato albums on Charley!
Maurice Hope