Waitin' 'round To Die
|
|
Rarely has an artist received so much acclaim and recognition from critics and fellow musicians yet received so little fame and fortune. That is the case of Townes Van Zandt. His relatively short but enthralling life is well recorded by John Kruth in this excellent biography. That Townes Van Zandt was a superb writer of intensely sad and poetic songs is beyond doubt (some argue even greater than Dylan) and many of the reasons for his relative lack of wider popularity are also clear. Townes Van Zandt was self-destructive, literally drinking and drugging himself to death. Moreover, few artists have shown such little interest in their own success and career, merely singing and performing night after night for the simple joy of doing so. Much of Townes Van Zandt's recorded output was unfortunately characterised by suffocating, overblown production when simplicity would have worked so much better. Thankfully, (some of) his live performances (for example, Live at The Old Quarter) show Townes Van Zandt as he should be remembered. Kruth's understanding and discussion of these issues is crucial to the success of his biography. The author must be congratulated for writing such a well researched and informed biography about someone who clearly touched so deeply those fortunate enough to have had contact with him personally or through his music.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada