Heartworn Highways

James Szalapski's documentary--filmed in 1975, but not shown until several years later--captures a pivotal point in country music when the the glossiness that had taken over the industry gave way to a back-to-basics movement centered in Austin and Nashville. Young songcrafters such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell, Steve Young, and a young Steve Earle are shown in loose, relaxed performances while The Charlie Daniels Band and David Allan Coe are filmed performing at a Texas holiday concert and at Tennessee State Penitentiary, respectively. Along with presenting personal portraits of these artists, Heartworn Highways effectively preserves an image of two very musical cities and their colorful inhabitants as they were in the middle of the artistically fertile 1970s.

Put it on, sip some Bourbon, enjoy. Then go listen to the soundtrack. First known recordings of a young young Steve Earle, I believe. Amazing music and interesting to see the way of life for these dudes. I got turned on to this from seeing clips on youtube of TVZ, but watch the whole movie its so worth it.

This film is about the "outlaw" country music movement of the 70s, when artists rejected the glossy, strings filled Nashville sound and made poignant, gritty music. Guy Clark, David Allen Coe, Charlie Daniels and more are featured. Townes Van Zandt really steals the show, though. Out in his ratty trailer he shown drinking whiskey and shooting bb guns. He sits down in the kitchen and plays some songs for his girlfriend and his elderly black neighbor (whose interactions with Townes are amazing) and plays some of the most amazing music you'll ever hear. There are also some great scenes of a little local ensemble playing in a bar. This is a must-see film for fans of Real Country Music. The pop pablum was crap then and its crap now. Real country will live on.

GREAT Movie. Whiskey, guns and real country music. This documentary really capture the spirit of these excellent musicians, the outlaws of the southern music industry, and is a must see for any fan of country music. I have been listening to the music of these guys for years, but I wasn't aware of this movie until yesterday - I watched it and for me it sums up all that is fascinating about these artists and the music they are playing.

If you are not a big fan of country music it is still a great documentary about a bunch of crazy, drinking, smoking, legendary musicians and their way of life in the 70's. Also, I believe it will give you new insight to what this music is all about and it leaves you wanting to find out more about these guys and their country music.

Shot in 1976, "Heartworn Highways" is a laid-back documentary look at several fringe talents in Country and Western music, who represent something of an alternative to the mainstream of that genre. Pic's strengths lie in its superb stereo recording of the music and its imparting the folksy charm of the performers, but absence of narration or traditional interview material leaves the viewer with little historical background and no way to "place" the artists within the current musical scene.

Director-cameraman James Szalapski does not attempt to dramatize or inflate the importance of his subject, preferring a matter-of-fact approach. The eccentricities of singers Townes Van Zandt and ex-con turned "Rhinestone Cowboy" David Allan Coe come through without any coaxing and yield some light comic elements to interrupt the standard performance-film format.

Besides slice-of-life peeks at rustic types in Nashille's Wigwam Tavern, pic's highlights include a very entertaining and elaborate talk-preamble to a song by Gamble Rogers, several moving folk-like ballads by Guy Clark and a strange performance at Tennessee State Prison by Coe. Music takes on a rock orientation in concert footage of the Charlie Daniels Band.

Both sound and 35mm blowup quality are excellent.

My review was written in April 1981 after a Times Square screening.