Townes Van Zandt: "No Place To Fall"

[Steven]

Hi,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gywZfJ5BtHo

Really like this song. Townes seemed especially happy during the intro to the song. Probably was connecting with
good memories, despite his saying that he doesn't really remember the origins of the song. Bet he did.

[Kush]

despite his saying that he doesn't really remember the origins of the song. Bet he did.

Hi Steven,

his not remembering the origins of the song may not necessarily be a joke, he underwent electroshock therapy at some point which was supposed to have removed substantial chunks of his memory.
His son JT talks about it a little bit here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t_X9WXvF5E

The book A Deeper Blue by Robert Earl Hardy is supposed to be a good biography I havent read it though.

p.s. although now I see JT says he had the shock therapy as a child so I dont know if it affected formation of memories even after that point or only before. I presume he wrote the song as an adult so perhaps he was just kidding after all.

[Steven]

Hi Kush,

Townes was known for jokes, yes. Here, intuition tells me that he was protecting/shielding a person/story
behind the song. There was lots going on in Townes' life (and his history) that could have affected specific memories, other than electroshock "therapy." Read part of that bio, selectively, for some research and will return to it at some point. Haven't read enough to form any opinion of it though. Someone recently said to me: "Townes was always the smartest person in a room." May not be an exact quote; haven't listened back to those words yet. Very high praise to the intellect of Townes. His genius was more than artistic.

[Kush]

Hi Steven,

Two classic versions of Pancho and Lefty:

Emmylou Harris (with harmonies by Rodney Crowell)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMPydiR4NaQ

and the classic video by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard (you have to watch it closely for the surprise)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzJAF1BxP4&

this was the first song I'd heard of TVZ but did not really know of him or his music until many years later.

p.s. if you'd rather have these songs on another thread (since this titled No Place to Fall) just let me know and I'll move it over.

[Steven]

Hi Kush,

Really enjoyed both videos. What a lineup of talent in the first video. Surprised to see Townes
in the second video. If there's another surprise, let me know and I'll try to find it by watching it again.
Emmylou was perfect, beautiful voice and looks. Thank you for posting the two links.

Thanks for asking if I mind about these two links in this thread. Not in the least, but I appreciate your asking.

Btw, Townes was mentioned in the interview that was linked to in the Rodney thread.

[Diane]

Steven and Kush, it's always a treat to hear TVZ. That second Pancho and Lefty vid with Willie Nelson is excellent! Like a four minute western. Was gonna post a TVZ but the decision is too hard so instead I'll dig out my cds tomorrow I think, play the lot. Mostly I am here because it's so cool to be in a thread with you two, like the old days:-)

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

It's always a treat to visit at this forum with both you and Kush. Been that way from the old days forward.

[Diane]

Cheers, Steven. Lately I came across an alternative verse to Blood Brothers that Bruce added in a New York concert in 2000. I'm wary these days of writing much in an actual Springsteen thread, in case I re-trigger my addiction;-), so I'll stick it here (mind you I like the original song just the way it is):

Now on out here on this road
Out on this road tonight
I close my eyes and feel so many friends around me
In the early evening light
And the miles we have come
And the battles won and lost
Are just so many roads travelled
So many rivers crossed
And I ask God for the strength
And faith in one another
'Cause it's a good night for a ride
Cross this river to the other side
My blood brothers

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

Amen to the alternate Springsteen verse and for the timeliness of, and place where, you quoted it.