A Deeper Blue: The Life and Music of Townes Van Zandt (North Texas Lives of Musicians)
by Robert Earl Hardy
(Click here)
Book Summary Information
Author: Robert Earl HardyEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-03-06
ISBN: 1574412477
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: University of North Texas Press
Book Reviews of A Deeper Blue: The Life and Music of Townes Van Zandt (North Texas Lives of Musicians)
Book Review: A Well Written Balanced Biog
Summary: 5 Stars
I came across this biography while trying to find John Kruth's biog and due to the critisism of Kruth's book I opted for this one. I now have Kruth's but have not read it yet. However, this is a really good read. It is well researched and written in an easy to follow chronological style. It goes into great detail in some periods of Townes' life and although I had read pretty much everything I could find written on the internet prior to reading this there was an awful lot I did not know. I was particularly impressed with the detail around the mid 70s and having watch Heartworn Highways it was good to find the background to those scenes and were and when they were being filmed. I also had no idea how bad Townes heroin addiction was.
Unfortunatley but probably understandably there are aspects and periods of Townes' life that are not fully explained such as when and how Townes finally quit Heroin. One period I found slightly lacking was the later period where he was running around with people like Blaze Foley. This time is really very briefly brushed over.
The last days of Townes' life are very well written and paint a picture of a man who was a physical wreck and appeared to be just (like the first song he ever wrote) waiting around to die. Although I have no way of verifying its accuracy it is very sad but also very believable. It does paint his estranged 3rd wife in a fairly poor light -getting Townes to sign over all his publishing rights to her and her at best negligent behaviour and its contribution to his death- and it will be interesting to see how Hardy's account differs from Kruth's version which is endorsed by the Van Zandt family including the estranged wife, Jeanene. Having not read both biogs I can't say which is best but I can and certainly do recommend this book.
More A Deeper Blue: The Life and Music of Townes Van Zandt (North Texas Lives of Musicians) reviews:
1 2 3
1 2 3
Summary of A Deeper Blue: The Life and Music of Townes Van Zandt (North Texas Lives of Musicians)
This is the first serious biography of a man widely considered one of Texas'-and America's-greatest songwriters. Like Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, and Hank Williams, Townes Van Zandt was the embodiment of that mythic American figure, the troubled troubadour. A Deeper Blue traces Van Zandt's background as the scion of a prominent Texas family; his troubled early years and his transformation from promising pre-law student to wandering folk singer; his life on the road and the demons that pursued and were pursued by him; the women who loved and inspired him; and the brilliance and enduring beauty of his songs,which are explored in depth. The author draws on eight years' extensive research and interviews with Townes' family and closest friends and colleagues. He looks beyond the legend and paints a colorful portrait of a complex man who embraced the darkness of demons and myth as well as the light of deep compassion and humanity, all "for the sake of the song."Country & Folk Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Audiobooks on Cassette
- Audiobooks on CD
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- e-Books
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Medicine
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Country & Folk Books
The Elton John Keyboard Bookby Elton John
Hal Leonard; Hal Leonard Corporation; Published: 1993-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.39
Price in other shops:
Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell's Blue Periodby Michelle Mercer
Free Press; Published: 2009-04-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $1.18
Price in other shops:
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Me and My FriendsAbrams Image; Published: 2009-10-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.58
Price in other shops:
A Heartbeat and a Guitar: Johnny Cash and the Making of Bitter Tearsby Antonino D'Ambrosio
Nation Books; Published: 2009-10-13; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs (Jewish Encounters)by David Lehman
Schocken; Published: 2009-10-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.25
Price in other shops:
Taylor Swiftby Sarah Parvis
Andrews McMeel Publishing; Published: 2009-09-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.31
Price in other shops:
Cash: The Autobiographyby Johnny Cash
HarperOne; Published: 2003-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.21
Price in other shops:
The Fiddler's Fakebookby David Brody
Music Sales; Music Sales America; Published: 1992-01-01; Plastic Comb; Book
Best price: $14.07
Price in other shops:
Bob Dylan Revisitedby Bob Dylan
W.W. Norton & Co.; Published: 2009-11-16; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.73
Price in other shops:
If You're Happy and You Know It (Baby Board Books)by Annie Kubler
Child's Play International; Published: 2001-09; Board book; Book
Best price: $1.92
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
Townes Van Zandt - Our Mother the MountainDig; Release date: 2007-05-15; Music CD
Best price: $7.69
Price in other shops:
Townes Van Zandt - Delta Momma BluesDig; Release date: 2007-05-15; Music CD
Best price: $9.20
Price in other shops:
Together at the Bluebird CafeRelease date: 2006-03-13; Music CD
Best price: $8.64
Price in other shops:
Townes Van Zandt - High, Low And In Between/ Late GreatRelease date: 1996-10-01; Music CD
Best price: $9.76
Price in other shops:
Steve Earle - TownesRelease date: 2009-05-12; Music CD
Best price: $12.45
Price in other shops:
Townes Van Zandt - A Gentle Evening with Townes Van ZandtRelease date: 2002-04-23; Music CD
Best price: $7.39
Price in other shops:
Living In The Woods In A Tree: Remembering Blaze Foley (North Texas Lives of Musicians)by Sybil Rosen
University of North Texas Press; Published: 2008-10-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.98
Price in other shops:
Townes Van Zandt - LiveDig; Release date: 2008-06-24; Music CD
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love MeUNIVERSAL MUSIC VIDEO DIST.; Release date: 2006-03-14; DVD
Best price: $16.18
Price in other shops:
To Live's to Fly: The Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandtby John Kruth
Da Capo Press; Published: 2008-03-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.77
Price in other shops: