Album Notes

"This album really started with a storm, a handshake and a notebook of unpublished lyrics in Blaze Foley's hand." (from the liner notes)

In 2005, Jon Hogan moved to Austin, Texas on the trail of Townes Van Zandt. He had first begun to cover his songs after he heard them performed by other artists such as Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. After seeing the documentary, "Be Here to Love Me," he followed Townes to Houston, and eventually to the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston where he met the owner, Wrecks Bell who had been Townes' bass player. Wrecks came to the stage from his office to shake Jon's hand after hearing him perform Townes Van Zandt's "Lungs."

Hurricane Ike triggered events that led to Jon meeting Blaze Foley's sister, Marsha Weldon. Ike had severely damaged the Old Quarter. Friends and fans quickly organized fund raisers and Jon participated in several. By January 1, 2009, the club was operational and packed for the 12th annual Townes wake. Marsha was in the audience and got to hear Jon's band perform several Townes songs. Later, at a friend's house, Jon and his guitar fingerpicker, Maria Moss sat up with Marsha playing Blaze Foley songs. The next day she asked Jon if he would be interested in writing music to lyrics that were among Blaze's effects. The result are three new songs featured in this album.

The idea for a Van Zandt/Foley album had been in Jon's mind for some time. Said Jon: "Blaze and Townes, by all accounts, loved and admired each other. I wanted to make a record that would present them side-by-side, like the friends they were..."

Marsha and her husband, Tom made it possible for Jon to immerse himself in Blaze's work, both through their collection of rare recordings and through Marsha's reminiscences and listening. Jon also became acquainted with documentary film producer, Kevin Triplett, and got to see an advance screening of his Blaze Foley documentary, "Drunken Angel."

The result is a reverent, scorching and original collection of six Townes covers and six by blaze, including three never-before-heard Blaze songs with music composed by Jon Hogan.