Apparently, these three underground folk / rock / country greats walked on stage together for what sounds like a nearly impromptu benefit for a proposed Interfaith Dental Clinic (for the "working poor," Van Zandt explains, "who can't get insurance"). Each performs several of his own songs, accompanying himself on guitar with a minimal amount of harmony vocals.

Earle and Clark give strong performances. The stories told between songs are sometimes hilarious -- Townes' story of losing his gold tooth in a game of cards, or Earle's recounting of how his roommates were too dumb to even steal pizza.

But the thing I find really striking about this recording is Townes Van Zandt. Townes died only a couple of years later, the proximate cause being complications following hip surgery, but his alcoholism no doubt contributing. In his performances you can hear his slipping concentration -- missed chords, forgotten lines, etc.

His performance of "A Song For" is heartrending. He forgets parts, and the spare accompaniment accentuates his croaking, corroded voice. "Too late," he sings, "to wish I'd been stronger." A song for what? For a dying poet, a wanderer with no strength left to roam. A song for whom? A song for Townes Van Zandt. Touching.

If you're reading this review, you're probably already familiar with at least one of these legendary songwriters. Get the album -- its intimate, warm, funny feel is delicious even if you already have recordings of all these songs.

This CD, capturing a 1995 guitar pull with Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, is as great as you would picture. The sound quality is excellent sound quality and the song selection is great. Earle and Van Zandt, in particular, are in great voice and spice up several of the songs with charming banter. For Earle, this is a far more satisfying concert snapshot than his full-length SHUT UP AND DIE LIKE AN AVIATOR from years ago. Standout cuts: Earle's Mercenary Blues; Van Zandt's Tecumseh Valley; and Clark's Randall Knife.

I find it hard to believe that no one has reviewed this beautiful album. So I'll give it a go.

If you're a fan of one or all of these artists, you'll love this album. The intimacy of the live performance in what sounds like a very small cafe is perfect. These guys write personal songs. Songs that are sometimes very, very close to the heart.

Guy Clark, for some reason, is an unknown treasure. His songs have no peer. Steve Earle is a rebel with a cause. And Townes Van Zandt is the drunken angel and poet that Lucinda Williams sang about.

My advice: listen and learn.

And thanks to the reviewer above regarding my Drunken Angel comments. I stand corrected.

But Townes was a bit of a drunken angel himself, I would say.

I've seen Townes van Zandt criticized as unable to carry a tune. Guy Clark takes hits for limited vocal range and sounding like a back porch amateur. I once saw Steve Earle criticized as provincial in outlook. Such quibbles miss the point.

This album is rough-edged, if you only enjoy a polished production. It is recorded "warts and all," with no plastic overlays, in an intimate real-audience setting. Listen to van Zandt's outrageous tale of how he lost a tooth, or to Clark's intro to a version of his "Immigrant Eyes" made more powerful and real by the lack of plastic, and you'll be struck by the sense of immediacy that runs all through this album.

This collection wouldn't have worked half as well from inside a studio, where the words these poets string together, the emotional connection, the easy way they communicate with the audience, the honesty - it all would have been muted or lost. Here, they come through with wonderful clarity. This is one of those "little albums" that wind up at the heart of the collections of people who enjoy and follow American roots music.

I can't believe anyone familiar with any of these three legendary singer/song writers won't love this cd. It's not a live concert from a big arena, it's three friends swapping great songs and great stories in a small, cozy atmosphere. The sound is not perfectbecause it's live after all and yes Townes does forget some lyrics here and there. But what a tremendous time capsule to leave behind. Townes was close to dying when this was recorded and he sings some of his best works on the cd. "Katie Belle Blues" is particularly strong as is the story that precedes it. Guy Clark is in fine voice and his selections are some of his most powerful and memorable, especially "The Randall Knife", "Immigrant Eyes" and "The Cape". However, as much as I love Townes and Guy, I think Steve Earle steals the show. His work is brilliant as is his story telling. "My Old Friend the Blues" and "Valentines Day" are especially remarkable. I also enjoyed "I Ain't Ever Satisfied" especially when Steve gets the audience involved. "Copperhead Road" is a great closer, even if ii is an abbreviated version. If you like Texas music or enjoy any of these three fine artists, I highly recommend this cd.