Townes Van ZandtLive at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas

Just Townes and his guitar in a small bar, recorded over five sweltering nights in July 1973 on a portable four-track. 'Pancho and Lefty' is here in its most intimate, devastating form — years before Willie and Merle made it a No. 1 hit. 'To Live Is to Fly' is an existential masterpiece. 'Waitin' Round to Die' is harrowing. Between-song banter with the audience adds warmth to the darkness. Perhaps his best album.