Since his death at the age of 52 in 1997, the reputation and popularity of Townes Van Zandt have grown greater by the day. He was recently, for instance, the subject of a major feature in 'Mojo Magazine'. Townes left behind a musical legacy of some of the most beautifully-crafted songs ever written and a legion of grateful admirers. The solo tracks in this comprehensive 2-CD collection cover Van Zandt's most creative period, when he was recording for the Poppy and Tomato labels between 1968 and 1978 and highlight the man's songwriting genius. Most of his original output was recorded during this decade and appeared on his first eight albums. All of his finest songs and performances are included here, including 'Pancho And Lefty', 'Tecumseh Valley', 'For The Sake Of The Song' and 'If I Needed You.' As a special bonus, this collection includes six duets with famous country artists, including Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and Freddy Fender. These were recordings Townes made in the early nineties with the producer of his classic Tomato sides and were overdubbed a few years back by the featured celebrities.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. If I Needed You
2. Pancho And Lefty
3. Snow Don't Fall
4. No Lonesome Tune
5. Silver Ships Of Andilar
6. Heavenly Houseboat Blues
7. Be Here To Love Me
8. Kathleen
9. Snake Mountain Blues
10. St. John The Gambler
11. Our Mother The Mountain
12. For The Sake Of The Song
13. None But The Rain
14. Waiting Around To Die
15. Lungs
16. Colorado Girl
17. I'll Be Here In The Morning
18. Nothin'
19. Tower Song
20. Come Tomorrow
21. Marie (With Willie Nelson)
22. Pancho And Lefty (With Freddy Fender)
23. If I Needed You (With Emmylou Harris)

Disc 2:

1. Turnstyled, Junkpiled
2. Brand New Companion
3. Delta Moma Blues
4. No Deal
5. You Are Not Needed Now
6. Highway Kind
7. To Live Is To Fly
8. Mr. Mudd And Mr. Gold
9. High, Low And In-Between
10. Loretta
11. No Place To Fall
12. Flyin' Shoes
13. Who Do You Love
14. When She Don't Need Me
15. Snake Song
16. Fraternity Blues (Live)
17. Tecumseh Valley (Live)
18. Cocaine Blues (Live)
19. White Freight Liner Blues (Live)
20. Only Him Or Me (Live)
21. Brother Flower (With Kimmie Rhodes)
22. Two Girls (With Doug Sahm)
23. At My Window (With Kathy Mattea)