Townes Van Zandt

Van Zandt never achieved mainstream success in his lifetime, but he left behind a brooding body of work marked by haunting minor-key melodies and poetic lyrics that often hide as much as they reveal. Fat Possum, famous for releasing unpolished music, acquired Van Zandt’s early recordings, and they’ll be releasing six titles this month, including this eponymous set from 1970. Van Zandt’s fragile, broken tenor and his minimal fingerpicking give well-known songs like “For the Sake of the Song,” “Waiting Around to Die” and “None but the Rain” an understated grace and a heart-rending poignancy. Even upbeat songs like “Colorado Girl” and “I’ll Be Here in the Morning” are filled with unbearable longing, but Van Zandt’s ability to face life’s uncertainties head-on is what makes his music timeless.