DVD Review: Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love Me

By Jeff Swindoll Mar 21, 2006, 19:09 GMT

As a musician, Townes Van Zandt was legendary – perhaps one of the greatest who ever lived, inspiring artists from Bob Dylan to Norah Jones to Steve Earle. As a man, a husband, and a father his life was as tragic and as beautiful as the songs he wrote. Townes was an enigma to his family, pinned between a deep longing for home and the nomadic lifestyle that was necessary ...more

“Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I’ll stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.” –Steve Earle

You may not know who Townes Van Zandt was, but more than likely you’ve heard one of his songs. In Townes Van Zandt – Be Here to Love Me, documentary filmmaker Margaret Brown explores Van Zandt’s life and music through interviews with his colleagues and family members. 

His most recognizable songs are probably Pancho and Lefty (sung by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard) and If I Needed You (sung by Emmylou Harris). However, many people in the music industry will have knowledge of Van Zandt.

Van Zandt was also an alcoholic and longed for a nomadic lifestyle and didn’t want to stay in one place for very long but also had a deep longing for home. He suffered from depression in his youth and was given shock treatments to alleviate the depression - as was the medical tradition at the time. The musician was so affected by the treatments that he didn’t even recognize his own mother when she came to pick him up. His friend and fellow musician Joe Ely speculates that these treatments left a blank spot in his childhood and he was forever trying to fill this spot - with alcohol or whatever else was available.  

From the official website of the film (www.townesthemovie.com) and the director’s statement:  “I wanted the film to feel handmade. Vinyl, not CD. Analog, not digital. Not talking heads, but conversations with some of the best Southern storytellers talking about one of their favorite subjects (Van Zandt).”

Townes (with guitar) in the Pancho & Lefty video

I found this statement helpful in the enjoyment of the documentary. This is not a traditional documentary where you have narration, etc. but is as described in director Margaret Brown’s statement above. Some of Towne’s friends and colleagues seem like a who’s who of singers and songwriters - Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) all provide interviews.

I’m not familiar with musician Guy Clark, but he’s also interviewed and is quite a character.  He quips at Van Zandt’s funeral before he performs a song that he booked this gig thirty something years ago. Kinky Friedman, singer, songwriter, novelist, and candidate for governor of Texas, even contributes his thoughts on Van Zandt. Brown also utilizes parts of an older documentary called Heartworn Highway (from the 70s), some film that someone shot in the 80s, and film from many sources. 

The movie is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1 to my eye, no mention of ratio is made on the box) and appears to be enhanced for 16x9 televisions (again not mentioned on back of box). Special features include an informative commentary with director Margaret Brown, cinematographer Lee Daniel and musician Joe Ely. There are also bonus performances of Van Zandt songs by J.T. Van Zandt (Towne’s son), Devendra Banhardt, and vintage performances by Townes Van Zandt.

Guy Clark prepares a toast to Townes

Next up are bonus interviews that were not used in the documentary from Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Michael & Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), Steve Earle, Steve Turner (Mudhoney), Nanci Griffith, Devendra Banhart, Donna Spence (Towne’s sister), and the Waddell Brothers. Finally there’s the theatrical trailer and trailers for other Palm Pictures titles. 

Townes Van Zandt was an interesting fellow, but was haunted by his own demons. This is an interesting documentary, but does not follow the usual documentary format. The change in documentary style may turn some people off, but those interested in Van Zandt will still be mesmerized. Contemporary artists continue to cover his songs, including Mudhoney, Counting Crows, Cowboy Junkies, and Norah Jones. If you’re interested in Van Zandt, singers, or songwriters this will make a good rental. 

Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love Me is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD’s database for more information.