For me, the best Townes shows were the most ephemeral. Ghostlike he'd appear by the bar at the Cactus Cafe. With a nod, Griff would indicate whoever was on stage at the moment to start wrapping up the set and take a break. Townes would come on, do 2-4 songs (rarely a 'hit' i the mix) and just as ghostlike vanish into the UT night near the drag.
The quintessential Townes distilled to its purest essence - Snowin' on Raton, and these lyrics:
"Bid the years goodbye, you cannot still them
You cannot turn the circles of the sun
And you cannot count the miles until you feel them
And you cannot hold a lover that has gone..."
Townes felt every mile of his journey. We are fortunate that he chose to share so much of it with us.
I had the same reaction you did when I first heard Townes sing 'Racing in the Streets' at Anderson Faire in Houston in the mid-80s. But his rendition completely changed my understanding of the song which I now see as the best thing Springsteen ever wrote.
For me, the best Townes shows were the most ephemeral. Ghostlike he'd appear by the bar at the Cactus Cafe. With a nod, Griff would indicate whoever was on stage at the moment to start wrapping up the set and take a break. Townes would come on, do 2-4 songs (rarely a 'hit' i the mix) and just as ghostlike vanish into the UT night near the drag.
The quintessential Townes distilled to its purest essence - Snowin' on Raton, and these lyrics:
"Bid the years goodbye, you cannot still them
You cannot turn the circles of the sun
And you cannot count the miles until you feel them
And you cannot hold a lover that has gone..."
Townes felt every mile of his journey. We are fortunate that he chose to share so much of it with us.
Hi Michael.
Otis sent me. Looking forward to checking your stuff out.
HNY to you and yours,
Rob
Bravo sir - short but sweet but sad
I had the same reaction you did when I first heard Townes sing 'Racing in the Streets' at Anderson Faire in Houston in the mid-80s. But his rendition completely changed my understanding of the song which I now see as the best thing Springsteen ever wrote.