Steve Earle

AustinBadger

AustinBadger

250+ Posts
A strong argument can be made that Steve Earle is the best Texas singer-songwriter of the past 30 years.

On top of that, he has a superb role in 'The Wire', which increases his coolness level by at least a 10000 percent.

Does anyone disagree?
 
I went to see Earle on tour for Train-a-comin' in 95. He was just out of jail and rehab. I went to see him because I really thought he would be dead within 6 months. Looked a lot like David Crosby, tipping the scales at close to 3 bills. His voice was weak from lack of use but it was a brilliant show. He only did 13 shows on this tour. I saw him in Atlanta in a tiny theater. Even after seeing him, I thought he would not be around much longer.

Since that time, he has been almost as prolific as Ryan Adams. I get tired of his politics and he can be a bit of a curmudgeon, but his output from 95-99 was fantastic, strong and all-over-the-map, in a good way. I haven't been a fan of his recent stuff (until his last one) because of some of the political tones....I get tired of being beaten over the head with that stuff. Still, I have to respect him for what he has done. He has also written a book of short stories and has done some other literary work. About 3 years ago, he said he would be happy when the war ended so he could get back to writing songs about girls. I do like his most recent album about his move to New York City and his recent marriage.

Someone asked him how he was writing so much now. He said 'it's amazing how much time I have to work now that I don't spend all of my waking hours looking for heroin."

I have an above average soundboard recording of the "Train-a-comin" show from 95 from Santa Cruz if anyone wants it. Just PM me with your address. I have probably sent out 20 copies of this to HF posters over the past 5 years. True Earle fans love it.
 
Love his music but as was pointed out, the political **** is a huge turnoff.

And just to make it clear, it is not because of his choice of politics. It is all about how his politics is his main focus, not good songs. He claims he would go back to writing songs about girls after the war but he is so firmly entrenched in it, he will never go away from it. Musicians and actors should really leave the politics to politicians.
 
I'm one of the HF posters who received the Train-A-Comin cd's...they're awesome. Thanks again hullabelew.

I echo everythng said - love his stuff, but I'm really tired of his politics. I'll be glad when he gets back to writing songs about girls. In my opinion, El Corazon is one of the top albums of the 90's. Trancendental Blues is right there with it, just for Galway Girl alone.

MAROON
 
Train-a-Comin' from hulla is one of my prized collections. And like most everyone else, I'm ready for Steve to turn the corner. I haven't bought an entire album of his since Transcendental Blues which is phenomenal.
 
his songwriting used to be fantastic. i agree that musicians need to keep their hot sports opinions to themselves. if asked what they think, it's cool to respond. but issuing opinions on tough issues just so everyone knows where you stand is a bit egotistical for me.
 
I respect his songwriting, but I really respect the fact that he convinced Allison Moorer to marry him.

popcapstas138_Allison-Moorer-photo.jpg
 
my number one cd right now is together at the bluebird with Steve, Townes and Guy Clark. Awesome CD, love his "my ole friend the blues" and every other song on that cd.

hulla, check your pm's.
 
Tropheus, PM your address. To all who PMed me, I will get them out my Monday. I usually do B&P but for HF folks, these are on me.

The band on the Train-A-Comin' tour (later 95/early 96) was Peter Rowan on mando/fiddle, Norman Blake on guitar, and the late, great Roy Huskey, Jr. on standup bass. It is about 1 1/2 CDs worth with some filler added in from some other SE shows/interviews.

As far as the political stuff, he kind of moved away from it on his last album "Washington Square Seranade". He even has one song called "Steve's Hammer" where he talks about wanting to quit singing about political issues. A couple of the songs are about Allison so he hopefully is moving that way. It isn't as strong as those mentioned above, but it is much more listenable than the two previous one where he downright militant.
 
"I Feel Alright" is a great CD. Not a weak song to be found and the duet with Lucinda Williams on "You're Still Standing There" is just greatness.

As said he's as good a song writer as there is anywhere.
 
If you want an appreciation of how close he came to dying, read "Hardcore Troubadour: The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle" by Lauren St John. At one point, after he was wasted and wrecked his car into another wreck (I think it involved a police car), his sister got him out of the hospital/jail and took him to South Nashville, still in his hospital gown, to buy some more heroin. She was afraid if he didn't get heroin into his system, he would die.
 
I too love the Train-a-Comin set Hulla sent me. I liked Steve before that but that album put me over the top and I went and purchased everything I could get my hands on of his.

How do y'all like The Mountain, his bluegrass album. I f'n love it. But then his bluegrass songs are my favorites anyway.
 
I was disappointed to see his latest tour will not be coming to Texas but, instead, goes to Europe and the upper Midwest.

What's up with that? Figure he would his homeland a lot, ala Willie.

When was the last time he played Austin?
 
I really don't know anything about this guy, and this will be a pretty pedestrian comment compared to most on here, but --

"Guitar Town" was probably my favorite song when I was in HS, and I still think it's great. I always thought this guy was underrated.
 
yeah, I get pretty frustrated with on and on and on political stances taken by musicians. its cool though, it seems part and parcel with their writing ability sometimes.
 
I would have said Guy Clark over Steve Earle, but with Old No. 1 and Texas Cookin' over 30 years ago now, I'd have a hard time finding anyone better than Steve Earle. Ironically, Steve appeared on Old No. 1.

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