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Ghost Canyon

'Heartworn Highways'
(Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, David Allan Coe, Larry Jon Wilson, Barefoot Jerry, Rodney Crowell, Steve Young, Gamble Rogers, Charlie Daniels Band, et al / DVD / NR / 2018 / Film Rise)

Overview: 2016 marked the 40th anniversary of this seminal music documentary, 'Heartworn Highways,' a film that captured the nascent roots of the Outlaw Country movement in the mid-70s. It magnificently explores, and celebrates, the authenticity and spirit of that community of contemporary musicians, who all began their careers creating music in Nashville, Tennessee.

DVD Verdict: This classic documentary contains stirring performances from (but is not limited to in any way shape or form) legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, David Allan Coe, Steve Young, Rodney Crowell, Gamble Rogers, Steve Earle, Barefoot Jerry and the Charlie Daniels Band.

The film, now on DVD for the very first time, portrays an emotional landscape driven by music and joins these artists in their lives at home, in the studio and on stage, authentically depicting a community rarely entered by outsiders.

In truth though, and from my own humble viewpoint, 'Heartworn Highways' is not a great documentary from a film standpoint, but it is from the music standpoint.

As aforementioned, it captures a group of songwriters who were living in Nashville in 1975 during a period of amazing creativity. Most never became famous except to that small group of music aficionados around the world who appreciate a song's lyrics.

That said, it is a pure, unadulterated joy to see a young Townes Van Zandt singing "Pancho and Lefty" and "Waiting Around to Die." Other gems are Guy Clark's "Desparadoes Waiting for a Train" and the underrated Steve Young doing a stirring rendition of "Alabama Highways."

Rodney Crowell's work is fun to see and the final scene includes a teen-looking Steve Earle sitting at the feet of his elders. Man, as the DVD itself states, this documentary does indeed capture a time a place from a time long since passed.

However, and that said, it never gives us any context. We learn little of the people and the place other than some vignettes that usually work. But I wanted to know more about the songwriter world, the open-mics, etc.

However, the music stands up and thank God it was saved. The film ends with a drunken Christmas party at the Clark's, featuring perhaps the first recording of future hard core troubadour Steve Earle, helping his friends belt out an intoxicated version of "Silent Night." Pure country gold at its flashback finest! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.

Official Purchase Link

www.HeartwornHighways.com





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