The Late Great Townes Van Zandt is a 1972 studio album by Texas singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt. It was the second album that he recorded in 1972, and a follow-up to High, Low and In Between. The album includes the earliest recorded version of two of his best-known songs, "Pancho and Lefty" and "If I Needed You". The album also included several cover songs and a re-recorded version of "Sad Cinderella" from his 1968 debut album. Some reviewers point to this as an indication that Van Zandt's prolific writing was beginning to slow, however, this was his sixth studio album in five years. The cover songs included one song by his close friend, Guy Clark ("Don't Let the Sunshine Fool Ya'"), one by a major influence, Hank Williams ("Honky Tonkin'"), and the Lawton Williams song "Fraulein". As a boy Van Zandt's father only agreed to buy him his first guitar after Van Zandt promised to learn to play "Fraulein".
The album has been reissued many times over the years. In 1996, just before Van Zandt's death, Capitol released a single disc that compiled High, Low and In Between and The Late Great Townes Van Zandt.
Read more about The Late Great Townes Van Zandt: Critical Acclaim, Track Listing, Release History
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