Laura Marling - "Colorado Girl (Townes Van Zandt Cover)"

As you sit in your Winter doldrums, awaiting another snow storm, sit back and take in Laura Marling's take on a Townes Van Zandt classic "Colorado Girl." Why she hasn't done more Townes covers before, we don't know -- she certainly has the guitar skills to do so. Don't get depressed. It is just snow.

Mike Cooley Solo Live Album, New Song

It was pretty apparent to Vince and I a few weeks back, that seeing a Mike Cooley solo live show was pretty much as close to seeing a live Townes van Zandt show as we would every get. Present was, the dry wit, small room of devoted fans, tastefully imperfect fingerpicking, whiskey sipping, and the songs that make Cooley (in our estimation) one of the greatest living American songwriters. Steve Earle once famously quipped: "Townes van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." Well, Cooley may not be there yet, but let's just say I may have a date with some boots and Mr. Earle's coffee table. (Nothin' but love though Steve.) "The Fool on Every Corner (Dec 11th) was recorded by longtime Drive-By Truckers’ producer David Barbe during a three-show run last March, beginning with a two-night stand at no-frills Atlanta rock club The Earl and closing at The Melting Point in Athens, GA."

Track Listing:

1 – Loaded Gun In The Closet
2 – Cottonseed
3 – Guitar Man Upstairs
4 – Cartoon Gold
5 – Pulaski
6 – 3 Dimes Down
7 – Eyes Like Glue
8 – Carl Perkins Cadillac
9 – Behind Closed Doors
10 – Marry Me
11 – Where The Devil Don’t Stay
12 – Shut Up And Get On The Plane
13 – Drinking Coke And Eating Ice (New)

Happy Birthday Townes

To one of the best songwriters ever. He would've been 67 today.

Marissa Nadler Covers Record

[mp3] Marissa Nadler: "Daisy Where Did You Go"

After receiving a nice little note from Ms. Nadler, we're happy to say that her fantastic 17 track handmade covers record is back on sale on her Etsy page. Also available are the acoustic demos from her most recent record Little Hells. The covers record features some of Stark's all time favorite tunes, including a heavy dose of Townes Van Zandt. Straight to the heart. Included are "Pancho and Lefty" "Colorado Girl" and "Our Mother The Mountain" as well as other covers such as "No Surprises" "Sunday Morning Coming Down" and "Hickory Wind." Nadler also has two new tracks available on reverb nation, including the above "Daisy Where Did You Go." Reverb nation has her record label listed as "free agent" which is an interesting development... All the proceeds from the covers record go towards the recording of her new album, so buy, and buy fast.

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Two Great Songwriters Get Their Due

The younger siblings always seem to have it better. Often making the same mistakes as their elders, but avoiding the pit-fall consequences that inevitably befell those that came before. Such is the case with Steve Earle, the protege of legendary artist Townes Van Zandt. This Sunday, the New York Times sought to give Mr. Earle the proper recognition he deserves, something they may have failed to offer to Mr. Van Zandt. Perhaps realizing their fault, Anthony DuCurtis used adjectives such as "genius" to describe Townes Van Zandt.

While we're not here to re-write Mr. DuCurtis' feature, we're here to direct you to the piece and tip our hat (again) to the genius of both Mr. Earle and Mr. Van Zandt. They lived parallel lives, both struggling with addiction, and for the most part, staying within the shadows of the mainstream music industry. Yet, like the dutiful younger student he is, Earle sought to correct the mistakes of Van Zandt by getting clean and taking the right steps to correctly position himself in the eye of the industry at large. Steve Earle's latest album, Townes, comes out tomorrow and is an amazing tribute to his mentor. Earle's record does its best to reveal mistakes already made and to light the path for younger proteges in hopes that they can avoid the traps that so ensnared two of the greatest songwriters of the modern era.

TOWNES

[mp3]
Steve Earle: "To Live is to Fly" (Towns Van Zandt Cover)

Muzzle of Bees recently posted a new track, "To Live is to Fly" from Steve Earle's up-coming Townes Van Zandt tribute album. Townes drops May 12 on New West. We can't wait to get our hands on this American classic.

As Townes said, "There's heaven, purgatory, hell, and the blues. I'm just trying to crawl up from the blues."

Steve Earle Pays Tribute to Townes

If I ever did one of those Facebook 25 things posts (I won't), one of the facts would be that Townes Van Zandt is my favorite songwriter of all time. In my short career, I've also had the privilege to work on one of Steve Earle's records, meet him, and see him live a few times. That Steve Earle would record a tribute album to friend and hero Townes Van Zandt comes as no surprise to anyone who has heard Earle's now infamous quote: "Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." Needless to say, I'm really excited for this record, even though Earle's last outing Washington Square Serenade left me feeling a little shaky about the direction of his music. Luckily, Dust Brother John King produces only one tune "Lungs" on which Tom Morello guests. Yeaaah. But it's ok, most of the other tracks feature bluegrass favorites and even Justin Townes Earle's first appearance on one of dad's records. Townes comes out May 12 on New West. See the full track list (which is great) after the jump. Pitchfork is streaming "Lungs." Whoo. Weird cover art though.

"This may be one of the best records I've ever made. That hurts a singer-songwriter's feelings. Then again, it's some consolation that I cherry picked through the career of one of the best songwriters that ever lived."

Townes:

01 Pancho and Lefty
02 White Freightliner Blues
03 Colorado Girl
04 Where I Lead Me
05 Lungs
06 No Place to Fall
07 Loretta
08 Brand New Companion
09 Rake
10 Delta Momma Blues
11 Marie
12 Don't Take It Too Bad
13 Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold
14 (Quicksilver Daydreams of) Maria
15 To Live Is to Fly

CMJ Watch III: Caitlin Rose

Caitlin Rose, purveyor of her own brand of "cosmic American music" and Bobbie's Dairy Dip ice cream, makes her annual trip from Nashville to NYC for a week of shows, most during CMJ.

While some New Yorkers stay away from CMJ due to it's "crowds", "hype", and "hipster kids" - Rose is a reason to make it out. Many bands during CMJ can be seen throughout the year at NYvenues, but the real treats come in the form of artists like Rose who can only make it to NY about once a year.

She draws from all forms of country music, but manages to maintain a unique sound that recalls such influences as Gram Parsons, Patsy Cline and Townes Van Zandt. Yet, she plays with her own attitude and style - driving each song with lyrics like "true love is a shotgun wedding" (fist pump to Bristol Palin.) Rose can sing in a sometimes quirky voice, but can also wail like the aforementioned Ms. Cline.

Caitlin Rose is here for seven days playing four shows, so you jaded bastards have no excuse for not coming to at least one. She also hates the word "indie" so you won't be getting too much of that here. Rose's EP Dead Flowers and 7" Gorilla Man are out now and available HERE for $5.

NEW YORK TOUR
Oct 21 2008 - Alphabet Lounge
Oct 22 2008 - Public Assembly
Oct 25 2008 - Rockwood Music Hall
Oct 28 2008 - Lit Lounge
(Check your local listings for set-times)

Marissa Nadler Covers Townes Van Zandt, mp3

Marissa Nadler - "Colorado Girl" - mp3
Anyone that knows us is aware that we love Townes Van Zandt. So you can imagine our excitement when we stumbled upon a cover of Van Zandt's "Colorado Girl" sung by none other than another (more current) favorite, Marissa Nadler. Nadler has started her own blog where she has been posting videos and unreleased material. This song blends Nadler's haunting vocal style with Van Zandt's lonesome sound to make the ultimate autumnal track. Enjoy.
As reported by GVB.

Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life

It has taken me a bit to get to the debut record The Good Life (Bloodshot) from Justin Townes Earle, but ultimately I am glad I did. As a listener I have done my best to put aside the fact that he is the son of all-time great Steve Earle, and the that he blatantly uses his middle name "Townes" for what can only be self serving purposes. I prefer his more modest nickname "JT." Let his music be the story - not his name.

With that said, Earle's music surprises with its buoyancy, and distance from the quagmire that the genre "alt-country" has become. With its authentic barroom-country arrangements and generally lighthearted feel, The Good Life comes off as more happy and enjoyable than I'm sure Earle intended. The highlights are the album's title track and cheeky opening tune "Hard Livin'."

One of the album's best songs, the downcast "Lone Pine Hill," captures the spirit of his father Steve to a fault. While the feel of the tune echoes the style of his other namesake, Mr. Van Zandt, the lyrical setting too closely mirrors his father's classic tune "The Mountain." Both take place on a lonesome hill stripped bare by company mines, and yes, both use the word "hollers".

The Good Life makes a solid case for Justin Earle as an emerging songwriter in the Americana genre. The 10 songs on this record breathe a welcome breath of fresh air into what is becoming an increasingly stale music style. Earle needs a few more years under his belt before his work can come close to that of the artists with whom he shares his name. If Earle can let his music be the focus, he will certainly continue to impress with his refreshing, and ok, well-bred songwriting talents.

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