Townes Van Zandt - In The Beginning

In The Beginning is an engaging collection of previously unreleased songs and figures to be one of the logical places for people interested in Townes Van Zandt's work to now start listening. This works as a fan piece because it unearths new material but can also stand on its own for people coming to Van Zandt's his music for the first time

A collection of ten songs that predate his official debut by two years, the album was recorded in 1966 as part of his first Nashville sessions. Some of the work featured on In The Beginning, despite having been done at such an early stage in his career, offers solid evidence of his place as an influence on a generation of songwriters.

This entire project is an obvious labor of love, his ex-wife acted as Executive Producer and the packaging contains four paintings by Will Van Zandt, and it's far from a wasted effort. It's an engaging, warts-and-all collection that can act as an open front door for new listeners or as an insightful look into the early days of a respected songwriter. ~ Jon Langmead, Pop Matters

Listen to samples:

• Black Widow Blues
• Maryetta's Song
• Hunger Child Blues
• Gypsy Friday
• Waitin' For The Day
• Black Jack Mama
• When Your Dream Lovers Die
• Colorado Bound
• Big Country Blues
• Black Crow Blues