For the first time, Townes Van Zandt’s Grammy-nominated posthumous 1999 release ‘A Far Cry From Dead‘ will see a vinyl release. Van Zandt recorded the vocal and guitar takes for the album from the late 80s through the early 90s at Texhoma Music Group Studio, the late singer’s next-door neighbour’s home studio in Nashville, and Jack Clement’s Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa. Townes left the tapes to his widow, Jeanene Van Zandt, who has worked with producer Eric Paul to bring the songs to life with a full band including guitarist Richard Bennet (Mark Knopfler, Billy Joel, Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell), percussionist Kenny Malone (Ray Charles, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, etc.), and Charlie McCoy (Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings) among others.
The album was the first of Townes’ records to be released on a major label. However, the story of its rise and fall is one of many music industry fumbles in the meeting of the CD and early internet era at the turn of the century. What was lauded by many critics at the time as some of Townes’ finest vocal work recorded will finally see a new release in the hands of the legendary songwriters’ family. ‘A Far Cry From Dead‘ will be re-issued on vinyl by TVZ Records, the label owned and operated by the Van Zandt family, and distributed by Fat Possum Records tomorrow (21st April 2023).
Tracklist:
Side A
1. Dollar Bill Blues
2. To Live’s To Fly
3. Rex’s Blues
4. Sanitarium Blues
5. Ain’t Leavin’ Your Love
6. Greensboro Woman
Side B
1. Snake Mountain Blues
2. Pancho and Lefty
3. For The Sake of the Song
4. Waitin” Round To Die
5. Many A Fine Lady
6. Tower Song
7. Squash
You can stream the entire album on TVZ’s Youtube channel or buy the record via the family’s website.
