From an article in American Songwriter
“Waiting Around To Die”
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“I was driving through Southern Vermont,” recalls jam goddess/rocker Grace Potter, who’s been cited for her own allegorical and deeply personal writing. “It was the summer I got my driver’s license, so this was a total freedom drive. I didn’t need to be anywhere and I was just driving.
“There was a cassette in this pile that said ‘Townes,’ and I had no idea. I didn’t know whose it was… just figured it was some show at Town Hall. But I put it in and ‘Waiting Around To Die’ played, and I couldn’t even drive. I had to pull over because it was so full of pain, but so beautiful at the same time. There was no anger, just this voice letting it go, just put it out there… So poetic that suffering.
“I’d been digging Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, but this was something else. I mean, he’d bunk up at Motel 6s, eat at Denny’s every day, drink himself silly and sing until he fell over… he was that pure and that committed to doing it.
“And those songs could have been played by minstrels in the Medieval days. It was that simple, you know? That basic truth was everything—and he sure owned A Minor!”
Potter is a B-3/Flying V-playing firebrand in her own way. Vivacious. Brilliant. Candid. With her band the Nocturnals, she has toured with Gov’t Mule, My Morning Jacket and the Black Crowes—as well as being a regular on the festival circuit. A world away form Van Zandt’s austerity, her devotion is a witness to the vastness of Van Zandt’s soul-baring connection.
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funny they left out “She also toured with “Dave Matthews Band, Trey Anastasio of Phish and has been a performer at many festivals including “Bonnaroo..” “Rothbury”, “Mountain Jam”…
Was finally able to read the entire piece without being interrupted . . . pleased and proud that Grace is quoted in this type of quality write up about a music legend like Townes Van Zandt. Seems reasonable to assume there will be uninitiated people who will be curious about Grace’s inclusion and hunt for more information about her and her music. Nice.
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