The man who set the standard for Texas singer/songwriters is inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Watch Austin City Limits on PBS. For more visit acltv.com
ACL, it would be incredible if this entire performance could be restored and licenced for release by the family. It is Townes at his absolute peak, and we should have it for his fans
Seriously. It's such a shame that there's only If I Needed You and a few little clips of the rest of what he played... I would pay whatever was asked to get my hands on the recording of this whole concert.
Who in hell would give this a thumbs down?He would have been 77 tomorrow.Someone in the audience asked him to play some happy songs,and his reply was,these ARE the happy songs.
Townes Van Zandt, the most amazing Guitar Finger Picker, Poet Song Writer and performer I’d seen in my lifetime.!!! RIP dear Townes, loved you man and still do‼️🙏🏽❤️✝️❤️🙏🏽
He did not get the recognition he deserved except by his loyal fans who loved his musician abilities. Such a great song writer but also great guitar picker.
for my opinion he is one of the most underrated songwriters ever, at least for the average of people - but in fact, he was a genius and wrote unforgetable songs - just playing his guitar, no light show, no excessive technic featues - just a man and a guitar and a message.... i really love the music of TvZ.
Townes was a special man, no doubt about it. Damn, I miss him. Somehow it was comforting knowing Townes was out there, and you could maybe, maybe see him someday.
never trust mainstream in anything. Townes was one of the best of all time and independent all the way. If the devil ever offered him wealth for his soul Townes would have explained his soul is all wealth.
Money wasent his problem. It was life .and he had the guts and the ability to put it into words and music for all to see.god rest your trouble d soul .miss ya my friend.
You can go through RU-vid videos of Townes music and wonder how is this guy not as well known as the greats we hear on classic country radio everyday,then you watch Be here to love me and realize how beautifully damaged the man was,I don't know if it was ever about notoriety and money for him ,it was more about the moment and his art.
+AustinCityLimitsTV are you going to...or have you already released the tribute to townes that was on ACL in 1998... i see you have requested that it be removed from youtube, so i'm assuming there are at least plans to release it
I was in an Americana / Roots Rock band from ‘97-‘00. We covered a TVZ song because our singer was in to him but I had no idea who he was. I remember watching our band sitting down to watch that TVZ tribute episode of ACL on its original airing and thinking “Wow, this guy sure wrote a lot of good songs!”.
Just watched the Steve Earl tribute to Guy Clark a few days ago. It got me thinking about watching this Townes episode. Would love to see this classic sometime soon.
Dude, not sure who that guys was at the end calling him a "weird dude"...WTF??? Guy doesn't understand music and the human condition. Townes is maybe one of the greatest singer/songwriters to ever exist
Van Zandt wrote dozens of songs that were major hits for other artists. Sad;y, he was so loaded most of the time that his own performances were not usually special - except maybe for the amazement he was still standing. Google his songs:) The original Willie and Merle video of Pancho and Lefty has Townes in the background in various outfits. Look for the thin Mexico soldier.
Townes at his peak? I'm not so sure about that - but I think I saw Townes at his most comfortable. At the Old Quarter in Houston in the 70's, playing in front of no more than 10 -20 people. I used to marvel at the fact that I could just walk in, listen, and watch this man perform his craft at just a few away from his audience. Certainly, at least for a time, Townes has to be considered as one of the greatest songwriters ever. And during that time it seemed like only a very few people knew about him.
The old quarter is where Steve and Townes first linked up. Townes was heckling him and Steve was already a huge TVZ fan. And Townes told him he couldn't call himself a folk singer if he couldn't play this folk song he kept requesting. So Steve busted out with Mr Mudd and Mr gold. And Townes mentored him after that. So I mean Steve was the one that said this was him at his peak . Just saying. To me there seems to be 3 different versions of Townes. The early stuff, the late 70s early 80s, and the old road weary . They all are good. Lungs is better with old Townes singing imo. Mudd and gold is better in the 70s and 80s. Just my thoughts
@@danielmims8467 Yep, that's a classic Townes Van Zandt anecdote. I remember Townes playing a weekend gig at the Old Quarter and Don Sanders was there one night or more. I'm not sure but it seems that Don Sanders was either filling in for someone who was supposed to play and didn't show up or maybe just doing a guest set. Either way, Townes finished his first set by saying that Don Sanders was there and he would play, but he used a sarcastic tone. After a short period Don got up and began to perform and Townes went behind the bar and began to act agitated. He was interjecting in a loud voice ,saying things like 'Hey Donnie, don't forget - this is MY gig'', and similar remarks. Don just grinned the whole time and kept playing. We all reacted with humor because Don seemed comfortable enough and just kept grinning at Townes, but to this day I'm not sure whether Townes was heckling Don for fun or for other reasons. But I have to say, Townes always treated the Old Quarter audience with respect. And I won't forget the night I saw Townes step outside the door, put his arm around an old wino sitting at the curb (Austin & Congress) brought him inside, sat him down at he bar, and made sure he had popcorn and beer as long as he stayed.
@@doylegaines1319 that's freaking cool man. I love TVZ. I met him once in Houston at the summit . Steve is my cousin so we went down to see him and Bob Dylan play. I was maybe 7 years old but I got to go backstage and meet everyone and Steve introduce us to Townes who wasn't even there to perform he was just there. My mom wanted to meet Dylan but he was not having visitors still paranoid from lennon being shot. But he sauntered up to me before he took the stage and asked me my name and who I was there to see . My mom was super jealous.
@@WindEnergy I remember that. I also saw him go outside and bring in a scruffy old gentleman that was standing at the corner asking for change. Townes took him to a seat by the bar and told the bartender (might have been Dale Soffar) that he would pay for his beer. I often wonder if he was the guy referred to as Sinbad from "My Home is in the the Blue Ridge Mountains". Probably not, but it would have made a good story..
I've watched ACL since the seventies,and I own 90% of the Live From Austin Tx dvd series.Unfortunately there are only a few from the seventies.Why that is I don't know,but there were a helluva lot of classic,historic,memorable and any other superlative performances that should be released if they exist.Either way it would be nice if ACL would let their fans know if any survive and if there any plans to make them available.
sometimes, when you read comments you come to the conclusion that people like the music he made but they think they have to comment on his lifestyle that’s none of your business ! whatsoever!!
The only thing that was wrong with him was Johnnie Walkers Red, he drank old poison whiskey, till it killed him dead. (Words by Lynyrd Skynyrd) R.I.P. Townes.
@@sammyscotch9945 spelled different. Van Zandt County in Texas is named after his family. Now Stephen van zandt , the musician/actor , is spelled the same but no relation
well, acl finally released the '98 tribute to tvz a while ago....FINALLY!! so there's hope they will get around to releasing the great one's performances.... FINALLY!
He was at his best when it was just himself and his guitar. On some recordings, with strings and whatever, his plaintive purity was obscured... I guess they were trying to make his music more accessible to the mainstream, make him more successful...but it just didn't suit him. As lovely as the versions of Pancho and Lefty done by Emmylou or by Haggard and Nelson (and they were lovely and successful), the best was just Townes and his guitar.
Don't watch ACL much any more unless it's a rerun from years ago when it was a bit more Folk and Country oriented. Townes was one of the best. Here lately, it sucks to put it mildly. Some of the worst musicians and music I have ever heard. I'm 70 and remember the old shows. Glad to have those memories
How about showing a performance on MPT website or something? I’d be a paid subscriber again if all Austin City Limits performances were available to stream.
PLEASE CAN ANYONE DIRECT ME TO A FULL VIDEO OF TOWNES AT ACL? I WANT SO MUCH TO SEE IT. THERE ENTIRE INTERNET AND ALL OF RU-vid REFERENCES THAT EVENT...BUT I CAN'T FINS IT.
You can't-I've called ACL and asked. All you can find is "If I Needed You" in it's entirety on RU-vid. You can only find snippets of some of his other songs he performed that night. I have the full audio of his performance, but not video.
Cody Austin What did ACL give as a reason for not releasing the Townes performance. I mean, really, the only excuse at this point is if they do not have it. It certainly has been long enough.
Townes belongs in the same pantheon as Dillon, Lennon, Young ... He was his own worst enemy most would say. I say that insulin shock “therapy” was his worst enemy, the man did his best after that bs.
George Shaw He was better than Zimmerman, Lennon and I’d say right above young. Young is prolific though. Zimmerman is known to steal lines from other songs and poets. Lennon was a phoney and a hypocrite who didn’t live by his own words.
close...you got the right state... the original old quarter was in houston ... this was an austin city limits performance... done appropriately enough in austin texas
Banana Trish Jack Daniels & heroin. A guess is self medicating over the insulin shock therapy and who knows what else the “doctor’s” gave him over the years to cure his supposed mental illness. BTW 52 he died New Years Day 1997, 2 months before his 53rd Birthday. Personally my opinion a better singer songwriter than Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie even said at an interview Townes Van Zandt was a great performer.
New Year 2024 For 'Our beloved Ultra Beautiful Ultra Great Ultra Badass Archangel of Texas Ireland Scotland Townes Van Zant For 'Our' beloved Ultra Beautiful Ultra Great Ultra Badass Warrior Archangels 'The White Horse Guitar Club' for Erin Ireland Kisses. Quantum kisses for You forever from everywhere. Love Peace Bliss Nirvana Forever Clan Colvin For 'Our' beloved Ultra Beautiful Ultra Great Ultra Badass Archangel of Mystic Vision Love Guy Clark Kisses. Clan Colvin For 'Our' beloved Ultra Beautiful Ultra Great Ultra Badass Goddess of Everything Joni Mitchell with Quantum kisses forever from everywhere for You darling precious immortal genius of mystic vision wisdom For 'Our' beloved Ultra Beautiful Ultra Great Ultra Badass Archangel of Justice Peace Love Freedom Grace Mystic Visionary of Deep Wisdom and Courage under fire King of England the immortal Richard Thompson For 'Our' beloved genius of mystic vision integral quantum thinking brother of Christ God of Earth Love Bob Dylan For 'Our' beloved brothers in Christ mystic visionaries Gods of 'Americana' 'The Band' with deep love and gratitude Levon Helm the 'One' true voice of 'Americana' Robbie Robertson mystic lyricist Rick Danko singer of the heart Garth Hudson mastermind behind genius and Richard Manuel soul singer. How 'We' worship adore and cherish You For 'Our' beloved beautiful Goddess of NYC 'Our' eternal hearts and friendship Lucy Kaplansky Love Clan Colvin For 'Our' beautiful blessed eternal soul companions Chapin and Uncle James. Kisses. Love Clan Colvin For 'Our' beautiful friend the most beautiful man in Texas at least Bob Schneider with Love. Clan Colvin For 'Our' beloved friend the most beautiful man on Earth Paul McCartney eternal blessings. Love Clan Colvin For 'Our' beloved friend sage seer wizard Paul Simon and all Your blessed eternal family. Love Clan Colvin For 'Our' beloved badass Warrior Archangels of Erin and Ireland Van Morrison and 'The Chieftains' Love Clan Colvin For 'Our' beloved brilliant mentor muse and friend Geoff Bartley. Wishing You every good thing Clan Colvin For 'Our' beautiful blessed badass friends muses Steve Earle and Ray Wylie Hubbard. Every good thing Clan Colvin For 'Our' beautiful blessed friend mentor muse Lyle Lovett. Wishing You every good thing this year. Kisses Clan Colvin Happy New Year beautiful Leland Merlin Sklar and Maureen. wishing You every good thing this year. Kisses Clan Colvin For the best singer I ever heard Shawna Lee Colvin with gratitude appreciation of greatness of spirit. Kisses Michelle Hope For Kindness As the New Year approaches singing coming near what blessings is she bringing I wonder as I cry will she be kind will she share the sky what will she find what will she spy when she examines my exhausted mind old worn out paradigms wrong turns and missed signs wasted tears realized fears my soul wears thin and stretches out again for the hand of compassion and divine grace for to look upon your angel face all this sin and disgrace will she erase oh so much worry please tell her I said I'm sorry for walking among the dead restore my dignity oh angel can't You see how much You mean to me and how far I'm come only to do it all over as just another Irish rover with deja vu counting holy ghosts was that One You our heavenly hosts have moved on forever did they leave us here alone deaf to the sound of gnashing teeth from demons beneath the rank of humanity well I must pray Dear Angel Violet what do You say are You all set have You made Your quota or is there room for one more I know God holds You accountable and 'knows the exact score and angels can't ignore accounts payable well I'm spirit poor does that get me in have You made up Your mind oh angel are You sure out with the old in with the new didn't You say something about A Whole New You will it apply to me what do You see a heart strong enough to walk together free don't leave me blind what say You Goddess of my dreams did I do my best am I a seer Or am I blind would You ask a 'seeing' man or a sane man to lose his mind forever praying to You what say You Shawn 'knowing' what 'You' 'know' now would You ask did You ask I if I would mind sharing my soul as well I don't and I do I can't 'know' the 'unknown' All I 'know' is that I love You please be kind end My dear beloved eternal blessed mother sister soldier muse friend. Hello or goodbye? Ground or sky? Either way 'We' 'think' ' therefore 'We' 'Are' "We're' 'One' eternal blessed by grace Homeward bound soul. May I ride with You darling or do I cry alone forever 'like' but not 'as' an angel forever? In any case I loved You this year as best I could. Badly. But let's look forward to flying lessons cause I 'know' I forgot how. How I worship cherish adore celebrate and serve You Shawna Lee Colvin, the best singer I ever heard. Wishing You every good thing in 2024 Shawn. Many blessings for Your creative heart mind and soul. Quantum kisses forever from everywhere. I love You forever Kisses Michelle Colvin Posted on 'When You Know' just now. When can I come in from the cold darling? New Year 2024 A Prayer For Peace Love And Reconciliation Dear Shawn Colvin I know that I know that I love You and I 'know' that You 'know' so how can I give up when You said Yourself I can't go back to black with all this blessed light showing the way imploring 'Us' to fight for love every day well I fight for 'Us' 'We' both fight for what's true I write poems for You I pour out my heart I cry and I sing I tell You every part I give You everything only You and only Me climbing in the right direction toward grace and eternity objects of each others' affection what blessings will this new year bring hope for peace hope for love angels begging 'Us' together to sing to carry hope from above and a balm for weary souls bound together as one burning in a passion rapt fused forever like the sun one flaming heart bound for eternity let's walk let's start this cosmic journey today in twenty twenty four let's make a stand let's stand for love and reconciliation let's obey hope's command love one another sing for peace sing for grace occupy a holy place here in 'Our' soul where I've loved You forever as 'We' near 'Our' goal home to heaven together let's sing for hope let's sing for freedom to the stars let's elope let's use this wisdom to enlighten 'Our' mind as 'We' walk heaven's beaches amazed at what 'We' find grateful for all love teaches won't You smile upon me today my darling soul won't You listen as I pray that 'We' will be made whole yin and yang yang and yin one soul reunited this year let's begin to heal old wounds forgive and forget learn from 'Our' mistakes rejoice in 'Our' lucky breaks what will this new year bring a smile to Your Goddess face a song to Your lovely lips to which my aching heart skips a beat in Your inspired melody gets lost in Your tranquility catches up on the refrain and releases all the pain of waiting end My darling beautiful immortal soul Shawn Colvin. You inspire me to try. You teach me to cry and I do whenever I think that You might have a place for me somewhere in this cosmic tapestry that You wove in Your well-lit place in the sky. Centuries ago You wrote this script that resonates with me. I'm mesmerized by Your beauty grace courage wisdom and voice so I ask again my darling will You take me to France? Will You save the last dance for me? I'll take lessons willingly but in any case, Shawn, please remember me fondly as You can. Please 'know' that I love You forever no matter what happens but I pray that maybe this year we'll talk as seer to seer both 'seeing' that this love I feel for You is 'real' and eternal. I love You now as always and always will. May God bless You this year Shawn Colvin with inspiration for Your lovely mind. May Your spirit be lifted and may You sing as heaven intended. Meanwhile I'll watch the stars for any sign and You'll be the first to 'know' if 'We' are to be blessed but I 'know' that You already 'know' so I must pray to You again. Please be kind. You never know what You may find in a heart that skips a beat but catches up to You in time to 'know' true love. All my affection trust and faith is with You this year Shawn and if I don't get to see You go in peace grace and love as You always have and always will. You always have been a beacon to my soul so please don't be angry because I followed it home to You. Quantum kisses forever for You from everywhere Michelle Colvin btw: There is a thousand times more synchronicity in 'Our' story than in this movie and that's a fact. Quantum Kisses Forever for You from Everywhere Prayers are in 'Our' hearts and souls for beautiful blessed sacred paradise of Ukraine. 'We' praise and thank from the bottom of 'Our' hearts courageous President Zelensky and all the blessed souls in Ukraine. In the name of 'Our' blessed holy sacred wise good and perfect Lord Savior Brother Friend and Great Redeemer 'Our' Lord Jesus Christ Almighty. Dear Lord Jesus 'We' are so grateful for Your extreme sacrifice that 'We' might one day take Your advice and cleanse 'Our' souls for to communicate and serve You better and more faithfully. 'We' are so grateful for 'Our' immortal souls through which 'We' are blessed with 'knowing' You. Quantum kisses 'We' send to You from Everywhere. Please bring peace to beautiful sacred and good Ukraine and their beautiful hero President Zelensky. Amen Thank You beautiful Eliza. Quantum kisses for You forever from Everywhere Michelle Colvin
Steve has kinda gone all full-blown mountain man... I do love facial hair on men, but you gotta keep that beard trimmed, not all long and scraggly! PS, the older I get, the more I wish women could grow nice full beards... wouldn't I love to hide my wrinkles and jowls in a socially acceptable way!
He’s got a nice speaking voice, and tells a good joke... but I don’t see what the big deal is about his songs or his singing voice. Would rather listen to someone else sing his songs.
When others do his songs, they can smooth them out and pretty them up; I love the versions of Pancho and Lefty done by Emmylou or Willie and Merle. But when Townes was alone with his guitar, he put so much feeling into them...those are the best versions.
