I forgot just how good he is. He can tell a tale in a good tune like very few. He had some success, but not like I thought he should’ve. He had some down times, for sure, but is clean and sober now. If you like Johnny Cash’s tales & tunes, I think you’ll like Steve Earle. Anyhoo, just wanted to let those who haven’t heard of him know that he’s out there and he’s got some great tunes.
Great stuff. I just went down the youtube rabbit hole for awhile listening and stumbled across a cover of Copperhead Road that adds a verse. Search "Copperhead Road like you've never heard it" if you are interested. Good stuff, I wonder what Earle thinks of it?
His boy could sing fuckin circles around him. 2008s The Good Life was his best, but every album up to the last had highlights. I was playing The Saint Of Lost Causes just this morning, and mentioned to my wife how pissed off I am at the guy. Ahi Esta Mi Nina hits pretty hard to me.
Saw his boy Justin Townes Earle 5/6 years ago in Bloomington Indiana in a shit hole bar (Blue bird). Good stuff. If listened to Steve but he seems to not want to STFU about politics.
Steve is really good. His son Justin had just as much talent, but more demons which eventually got him. If you like Steve Earle, there's a big rabbit hole of talented singer/songwriter guys all connected to that group and many more. Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Blaze Foley, Townes Van Zandt. Heartworn highways is a good flick.
My favorites from Justin Townes Earle, from the early releases to the latest. YUMA Yuma Let The Waters Rise THE GOOD LIFE (The whole thing! It is one of my top 10 favorite all around albums from anyone) The Good Life Lone Pine Hill MIDNIGHT AT THE MOVIES Mama's Eyes Poor Fool Here We Go Again ** HARLEM RIVER BLUES One More Night In Brooklyn Rogers Park NOTHINGS GOING TO CHANGE Am I That Lonely Nothings Gonna Change Down On The Lower East Side SINGLE MOTHERS (not really a fan of this one) White Magnolias ABSENT FATHERS (nope) KIDS IN THE STREET (again, nope) Champagne Corolla Same Ol Stagger Lee Saint Of Lost Causes Ahi Esta Mi Nina Appalachian Nightmare (fkn HAUNTING!) A lot of his stuff is... I'm not sure what the musical terminology is, but it doesn't have a consistent cadence. The ones I listed above are very rhythmic, but a lot of his songs are almost spoken word, rather than poetry. I'm not a fan of that type of song. Truth be told, though he is one of my all time favorites. Pops, not so much.
Huge fan of Steve, saw him several times in the late 80s/90s....saw him perform Chicago concert promoted by local FM station Xmas benefit show, he was just released from jail, breaking guitar strings just beating the shit out his axe, amazing performance. he opened for John Hiatt. His son was wonderful too, sad he passed so young.
So I just downloaded this and I’ll be damned if he can’t belt out a great tune and tell a tale at the same time. Thx for pointing him out to me. I’ll be listening today while I’m burning some gas in my FJR.