Written by and named after Earle’s friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt, his latest album is quite the mix of tunes. The first song is a slow start for the album, but soon picks up with White Freight Liner Blues a real bluegrass mix, with a bit of a Johnny Cash feel. Brand New Companion is a great lyrical song and with the rumbling vocals of Earle, it’s perfection.
Upbeat songs like Delta Momma Blues and Mr Mudd and Mr Gold get the country / folk juices flowing, with the latter featuring his son Justin Townes Earle. Colerado Girl is another classic country blues mix of vocals, guitar and, of course, a story.
After the terrible reviews he got from his last album, it could be that he’s playing it safe, but the production, flow and general al-round feeling of this album is good folk / bluegrass music. Definitely worth a listen. TK
