“Throughout his life, Townes Van Zandt claimed Houston, Austin, in and outside Nashville, Boulder and Crested Butte, Colorado, as residences, but his true homes were the stage and the road ... Thus, his most defining text has to be a live recording of just him, “Mr. Guitar” and his audience, and Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas is often — rightfully — cited as the highlight of his long, tumultuous career. 

Live at The Old Quarter was Townes at the height of his powers, if not exactly at the height of his influence, and it was the end of his most creatively prosperous period."