Because we'e bowled over by this comprehensive 4CD set at whisperinandhollerin.com, we're gonna review the LPs included separately. As it quietly sneaked into the racks during 2001, "Texas Troubadour" is quite literally a case of unheralded genius in our midst and a legacy that should be trumpeted from the rooftops rather than left to moulder in a musty cult cul-de-sac.
Basically, this set features the first 10 (and the most important) years of the Fort Worth-born singer/songwriter's career, spanning 1968-1978. During that time, VAN ZANDT recorded seven magnificent studio albums and one definitive live effort, "Live At The Old Quarter,Houston". The studio albums are included in their entirety, as are 8 songs from the live set not already featuring in studio incarnations.
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TOWNES would go on to record several more LPs before his untimely death at 52 on New Year's Day 1997, including "At My Window" with sleevenotes from STEVE EARLE, proclaiming him "the world's greatest songwriter" and the covers album, "Roadsongs". More recently, the collection "A Far Cry From The Dead" has arrived, featuring songs committed to death just prior to his demise. So, while TOWNES' memory remains alive, check out "Texas Troubadour" for a real in-depth introduction. It retails at around the £35 mark, but, believe us, it's a bargain. Watch this space for more detailed reviews of the albums.
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