I stumbled across this and just had to share it.
Everybody loves "Pancho and Lefty," but of all of the songs the great Townes Van Zandt wrote and sang, "Marie" is my favorite. The song knocked me out the first time I heard it and has haunted me ever since.
There's an unfortunate audio synch problem throughout the second half. If you're inclined to be distracted by it, just close your eyes and listen. You don't have to be a lefty to be moved by "Marie."
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Townes Van Zandt - Marie
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7 comments:
The Cowboy Junkies, who were good friends, tourmates, and huge fans of Townes', have covered several of his songs. Their medley of "Rake", "Flying Shoes", and "Marie" can be downloaded at http://www.latentrecordings.com/
You might wonder if the song loses its effectiveness when sung in a woman's voice. It doesn't. Margo Timmins has been singing her brother Michael's lyrics for years, and while she has a wonderfully feminine voice, when she sings a song like "Marie" you hear the writer as much as the singer. Still plenty haunting...
Many thanks, Mark. I'll check it out. We have an independent radio station here in North Texas that plays The Cowboy Junkies. I love Margo Timmins's voice.
And Willie Nelson does it on a Townes van Zandt tribute album -magic
r francis, thanks for stopping by. I agree completely. I've been meaning to get the Townes tribute album for some time now.
Nice pic, by the way. Are you a German wirehair, spinoni, or griffon? I should be able to tell by the photo, but we don't see many wire-haired dogs here in Texas. I've always known that members of the Continental breeds are intelligent, but you've really raised the bar. And such great taste in music!
An odd GWP whose parents look 'normal' and who we rescued from the great GWPRescue in Ohio and brought to Maine.
That tribute album is great. In addition, there is a duet of "Marie" with Townes and Willie Nelson on an album called "Texas Rain- the Texas Hill Country Recordings". That album also has nice versions of "(Quicksilver Daydreams of) Maria" and "Pancho and Lefty" with Freddie Fender and Townes.
As to Cowboy Junkies- They'll be in Dallas on June 5, see http://www.lakewoodtheater.com/
I already have tickets for a NM show, 2nd row left and can't recommend them highly enough.
"Marie" is without a doubt one of the most harrowing, touching songs ever written; if a person is not affected in some way by this tune upon hearing it or any of Townes' other work, for that matter, then that person obviously has no soul! No other songwriter could bring out emotions the way Townes could, and that's why his songs will stand the test of time, which I can't say for most of today's so-called "songwriters".
Willie was a good friend of Townes, and recorded several of his songs, including this one. His version is on the "Poet" tribute, and he actually was nominated for a Grammy for it. Of course, he lost, but Townes' music has always been like that--underappreciated by the mediocre masses and appreciated by those who choose to open their eyes. Willie's version is incredible, but of course it pales in comparison to Townes' original.
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