For The Sake Of The Song

Townes Van Zandt wrote songs with uncommon grace and poetic clarity, singing them with a voice that was straightforward, eloquent, and mindful of the arid beauty of his images. A decade after Van Zandt's first album release, numerous singer/songwriters followed his example. However, he was a unique figure when "For the Sake of the Song" was released in 1968. The album's production and arrangements occasionally suggest that Jack Clement and Jim Malloy didn't always grasp the essence of his work. The 11 songs on Van Zandt's debut are all exceptional, with emotional force evident in tracks like "(Quicksilver Daydreams Of) Maria," "Tecumseh Valley," and the title track. Despite some misguided production choices, "For the Sake of the Song" remains a classic debut, showcasing Van Zandt's fully formed genius as both a composer and performer. This album was an auspicious offering from a talent of the first order.