High, Low and In Between (CD)
Townes Van Zandt

Amoeba Review
Tiffany Anders 12/01/2010
There has been much debate over production on the earlier Townes Van Zandt’s releases as some feel like it was over the top and didn’t suit the grit of his material. On High Low And In Between, released in 1972, you will find that the production (at the hands of Kevin Eggers) leaves plenty of room for Van Zandt’s raw power to shine through. A bit of honky tonk mixed with the grace of piano, and beautiful female back-up singers among acoustic picking, is what this album consists of and is clearly how Van Zandt was made to sound. While most of Townes Van Zandt’s work was complex and sorrowful, on this album there are many works that reflect his legendary sense of humor (songs like “No Deal” and even the upbeat gospel opener “Two Hands”). However, his most stunning compositions on this album go to those that are more downtrodden. “Highway Kind” is absolutely stunning, with just the sparse arrangements of Van Zandt’s voice, acoustic guitar, and stand-up bass. “To Live Is To Fly” is country rambling combined with the insight that only Van Zandt can bestow. Like all of Van Zandt’s work, High Low And In Between features songwriting at its best.
Track Listing
Disc 1 Titles |
Artist |
Length |
---|---|---|
1.
Two Hands
|
Townes Van Zandt | 02:30 |
2.
You Are Not Needed Now
|
Townes Van Zandt | 04:12 |
3.
Greensboro Woman
|
Townes Van Zandt | 02:18 |
4.
Highway Kind
|
Townes Van Zandt | 02:14 |
5.
Standin'
|
Townes Van Zandt | 03:21 |
6.
No Deal
|
Townes Van Zandt | 03:12 |
7.
To Live Is to Fly
|
Townes Van Zandt | 03:15 |
8.
When He Offers His Hand
|
Townes Van Zandt | 02:59 |
9.
Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold
|
Townes Van Zandt | 02:21 |
10.
Blue Ridge Mountains
|
Townes Van Zandt | 02:10 |
11.
High, Low and in Between
|
Townes Van Zandt | 03:12 |
