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Townes’ unseen poems set to music
What Billy Bragg and Wilco did for Woody Guthrie, writing melodies to go with lyrics left behind for their “Mermaid Avenue” albums, David Broza has done with unpublished poems by the late, great Townes Van Zandt.
The 12-track CD “Night Dawn,” which was produced by Broza and G.E. Smith comes out February 23 on S-Curve Records.
After Van Zandt died on New Year’s Day 1997, Broza was bequeathed a shoebox full of Van Zandt poems. Strangely, the two performed together only once, in 1994 at a “Writers in the Round” show in Houston. They did not remain in touch afterwards. Israeli balladeer Broza had to wonder, ‘Why me?’
So did Van Zandt’s widow Jeanene, who asked Broza to not take the poems, but to let her present them to Townes’ fans like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Lyle Lovett and others. Broza honored that request, but eight years later and nothing happening with Jeanene’s project, asked for them back. Thus started a four year process of writing music for 10 of the poems. One song on the album is a Broza instrumental tribute to Townes called “Too Old To Die Young,” while the other is a cover of a demo of the last song Van Zandt wrote.
“I only hope I’ve done those lyrics justice,” Broza told Billboard, “turning that poetry into song as Townes would have liked.”
Comments
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By NETW
December 9, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
This is great good news for Townes fans. He was the best. Ever.
By Larry Monroe
December 9, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
Townes died on New Year’s Day, 1997. Not New Year’s Eve. Hank Williams also died on New Year’s Day back in 1953. The last time I interviewed Townes on KUT in mid-October of 1996 he said, “Hank Williams not only wrote some of the saddest songs ever written, he also wrote some of the funniest songs ever written.” Case in point: “Move It On Over.” Watch the movie, “Heartworn Highways.” In that film Townes has the funniest moment, sliding into the giant rabbit hole in his yard in Clarksville. And he has the most poignant moment as well. When Townes sings “Waiting Around To Die,” Uncle Seymour is moved to tears. Hank and Townes, two of America’s greatest songwriters. Larry Monroe
By Larry Monroe
December 9, 2009 9:31 PM | Link to this
Michael, thanks for fixing the date. LM
By NETW
December 24, 2009 10:08 PM | Link to this
I got my hands on a copy of the CD. I’ve been listening to it for several days. Verdict is still out. Broza is a great musician and has added depth, production wise, to his tunes.
I’m particularly fond of “Southern Cross.” The opening licks are pure Townes. It’s bitter - maybe written after Townes and Jeanene divorced. “I want to see the moon when it rises about the last girl I’ll ever love.”
“Old Satan” is set in a breezy cha-cha-cha rhythm, which makes my head spin right around on my shoulders. But, I like it.
I wonder if the clerical staff made a typo naming the song “Jeanine,” since Townes’ last ex-wife’s name was spelled Jeanene? It’s a little too upbeat for a breakup song.
“Harm’s Swift Way” was the last song Townes ever wrote. It was performed during a tribute show put on right after Townes died in 1997. I really like Broza’s take on this one. It might be my favorite. The bass line really adds some depth and color.
It’s going to take some more pass throughs before I get a handle on this CD. I have never heard of Broza before, but I like him. I’m just not 100% sold that his style is a good fit with Townes’. He’s got a good voice, but I don’t know if it’s got enough saddness in it.
On the other hand, maybe we need to hear Townes’ words without having them drenched in pain and suffering.
I’ll be interested to see what everyone else thinks. I’ll bet every Townes fan will have something to say. :-)