There's A Hole In Heaven Where Some Sin Slips Through

Artists

Album Info

Release Date: 2007-05-28

Label: Glitterhouse Records

Townes Van Zandt's songs were endlessly re-hashed by the man himself, available in a whole series of live albums of variable quality mostly released after his death. The last 'tribute' album, 'Poet' from 2002,contained generally straight takes on his songs, mostly performed by well-known sympathisers to the cause. This album is much different, but no less excellent.

The artists are less well known, in the UK at least, and the interpretations vary from a beautiful version of 'Two Girls' by Knife In The Water, to a vocally synthesised take on 'Waiting Around To Die' sung with world-weary resignation and howls of pain by Paal Flaata, and a frankly scary blasting of 'Brand New Companion' by Johnny Dowd. It's not all off the wall stuff though - Jim White & Mike Ferrio provide a beautiful version of 'To Live Is To Fly', and there are fantastic readings of 'St John The Gambler', 'Snake Mountain Blues', 'Nothin' and many others.

In total, 17 songs appear on this album which clocks in at a generous 68 minutes. Townes Van Zandt's songs are shot through with timeless quality. All of these re-interpretations are worth listening to; many add a whole new slant on the originals, and the album is a very worthy addition to any Townes collection. For those yet to discover the great man, this is a fantastic way to approach his albums through some spacy, haunting modern Americana.

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