Townes Van Zandt, born John Townes Van Zandt on March 7 in 1944, is my favorite songwriter of all time. I know almost everything there is to know about him, have seen all the documentaries, listened to all the albums. I've retained so much information about Townes over the years that it still surprises me when I can spout something out, like, his dog was named Geraldine when he was living in his trailer house with Cindy (2nd wife), or he fell out of a second story window on purpose because he wanted to know what it felt like to fall. Townes' songs are haunting and beautiful and inspiring and emotional and comical, an ability unparalleled, in my opinion, by any other songwriter. Sure Bobby's songs inspired change in a restless generation and the Beatles and the Stones touched thousands of heartstrings, but Townes' was maybe the only one who did it based on absolute pure intentions (I am completely 100% biased in this opinion, so relax if you disagree). Plus Townes never got rich. He never lived in a Mansion. He never mingled with Hollywood or toured in a plane. Townes died on New Years Day in 1997. He was 52 years old. 

I listened to Our Mother The Mountain all weekend, Townes' second album, released in 1969 on Poppy Records. The cover artwork was done by the amazing Milton Glaser and features a very stern, serious-faced Townes. 

The album was recorded in Los Angeles and at "Bradley's Barn" in Nashville, a barn-turned-recording studio owned by country music producer Owen Bradley. Jack Clement, Jim Malloy, and Kevin Eggers produced the album. There are eleven tracks total: 6 on the A-side, 5 on the flip. Most of the songs on the album, like most of Townes' songs, generally speaking, are folk songs, with a moral, an outcome, a lesson, a tale. The title track, "Our Mother The Mountain," ends with a bit of precautionary advice:

So walk these hills lightly and watch who you're lovin'
By mother the mountain, I swear that it's true
Love not a woman with hair black as midnight
And her dress made of satin, all shimmering blue

If I ever had to choose what my favorite album ever was, things like Listen to Vol. 4, Pet Sounds, Revolver, Bryter Layter, and Easter Everywhere always pop to the top of my brain. But then I remember Our Mother The Mountain and realize, this will always be number one. Always. 

The end.