Steve Earle

[daddymention]

I downloaded the "Townes" record from amazon for $2.99...

After listening to the whole thing, I found it pretty boring. His voice is not in good form anymore. I don't think he sounds good at all...is he even trying to sing? I'm very disappointed with it.

I loved his early stuff....Guitar Town, Exit-O, & Copperhead Road, are all fantastic albums.

[East Texas Parrothead]

I've heard the same comments from critics, DM ... from what I've heard, he sounds a LOT like Townes toward the end. I've been out on the 'net, doing some research in case I get an interview and read where there was no slick post-production dickering (ProTools) and he recorded most of it in his NYC apartment ... not a studio. Townes never liked any production ... preferred his music like his vodka ... straight up. I'm hoping the CD will be on my desk when I get back to work Wednesday ... but from what I've heard on YouTube, Earle's stayed true to Townes' music/sound/legacy, which is what he said he wanted to do.

[hawaiiboy]

I've heard the same comments from critics, DM ... from what I've heard, he sounds a LOT like Townes toward the end. I've been out on the 'net, doing some research in case I get an interview and read where there was no slick post-production dickering (ProTools) and he recorded most of it in his NYC apartment ... not a studio. Townes never liked any production ... preferred his music like his vodka ... straight up. I'm hoping the CD will be on my desk when I get back to work Wednesday ... but from what I've heard on YouTube, Earle's stayed true to Townes' music/sound/legacy, which is what he said he wanted to do.

I have the Limited edition set with an extra
cd of 11 songs done solo and I think it is a
great set....but then again, I really like to listen to Townes as well

[East Texas Parrothead]

Because of Earle's new release and some lovely CDs sent to me by Hawaiiboy, I'm re-discovering Townes. Saw him once in Galveston when I was in college. He was sooo messed up he could hardly walk, much less sing. I think he played one or two songs and thenthe guy who owned the place offered a choice of our money back or free beer. We drank all night and ended up sleeping on the beach ... that's when you could do that safely. Hadn't thought about that night in a long time.

Anyway, there are some great clips of Townes out on YouTube. He was amazing and Earle really does honor him on the cuts I've heard.

[daddymention]

I've heard the same comments from critics, DM ... from what I've heard, he sounds a LOT like Townes toward the end. I've been out on the 'net, doing some research in case I get an interview and read where there was no slick post-production dickering (ProTools) and he recorded most of it in his NYC apartment ... not a studio. Townes never liked any production ... preferred his music like his vodka ... straight up. I'm hoping the CD will be on my desk when I get back to work Wednesday ... but from what I've heard on YouTube, Earle's stayed true to Townes' music/sound/legacy, which is what he said he wanted to do.

That makes sense...thanks for the info...I'll give it a few more listens with that in mind...

[East Texas Parrothead]

I've heard the same comments from critics, DM ... from what I've heard, he sounds a LOT like Townes toward the end. I've been out on the 'net, doing some research in case I get an interview and read where there was no slick post-production dickering (ProTools) and he recorded most of it in his NYC apartment ... not a studio. Townes never liked any production ... preferred his music like his vodka ... straight up. I'm hoping the CD will be on my desk when I get back to work Wednesday ... but from what I've heard on YouTube, Earle's stayed true to Townes' music/sound/legacy, which is what he said he wanted to do.

That makes sense...thanks for the info...I'll give it a few more listens with that in mind...

It's NOT beach music, that's for sure. But, knowing the history between Earle and Townes, it is good stuff. It's not something I'll listen to very often, but I'm glad Earle did it for his friend.

[East Texas Parrothead]

The CD was waiting on me when I got to the newsroom this morning.

It's raw and ragged and I love it. While I'm not as familiar with his whole catalog, this is how I remember Townes. Before the days of slick production and ProTools. This is what I remember hearing at road houses and bars in the 70s. Jerry Jeff, WAR, David Allen ... they all sounded like this. If Jimmy had sung this kind of music, he would have sounded this way, too. Jimmy's songs were, for the most part, a LOT happier than Townes, but when it was just him and the guitar and a sucky sound system, this is how it sounded.

Quicksilver Dreams of Maria broke my heart. The last time I was moved by a love song like that was when WAR released Angel Eyes. I have a deeper appreciation for the torment Townes must have endured. He paid the ultimate price for the gifts he was given.

Here are the lyrics to Maria

Well, the diamond fades quickly when matched to the face of Maria
All the harps they sound empty when she lifts her lips to the sky
The brown of her skin makes her hair seem a soft golden rainfall
that spills from the mountains to the bottomless depths of her eyes

Well, she stands all around me her hands slowly sifting the sunshine
All the laughter that linger down deep 'neath her smilin' is free
Well, it spins and it twirls like a hummingbird lost in the morning
and caresses the south wind and silently sails to the sea

Ah, the sculpter stands stricken and the artist he throws away his brushes
when her image comes dancin' the sun she turns sullen with shame
And the birds they go silent the wind stops his sad mournful singing
when the trees of the forest start gently to whisper'in her name

So as softly she wanders I'll desperately follow her footsteps
and I'll chase after shadows that offer a trace of her sight
Ah, they promise eternally that she lays hidden within them
but I find they've decieved me and sadly I bid them goodbye

So the serpent slides softly away with these moments of laughter
and the the old washy woman has finish her cleanin' and gone
but the bamboo hang heavy in the bondage of quicksilver daydreams
and a lonely child longingly looks for a place to belong

I also found this article on the new CD ... makes me want to pack it in and go to the house because I'll never write anything that even comes CLOSE to this guy's take on Earle/Townes...

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090608/pierce

[hawaiiboy]

I am glad that you are enjoying the Townes cd Terry.....thanks
for the link...that is a very good article

[jbfinscj]

I am looking forward to seeing Steve Earle live in July. I caught his last tour in support of his last album and cannot wait to hear some of the tracks off of "Townes" done live.

[East Texas Parrothead]

I am looking forward to seeing Steve Earle live in July. I caught his last tour in support of his last album and cannot wait to hear some of the tracks off of "Townes" done live.

He's going to be in Dallas at the Lakewood on Sunday, June 21. I'm thinking of going in to see the show!

Have nailed down an interview with John Kruth, who wrote a book about Townes and also with Robert Earl Hardy, whose book was released last year. Still waiting to hear from Earle's people. I know he must be weary of talking to journalists.

[ragtopW]

Why does this lyric keep popping into my head..

"I'm bigger and badder than John Wayne and Cooler than Steve Earl"

[hawaiiboy]

I am looking forward to seeing Steve Earle live in July. I caught his last tour in support of his last album and cannot wait to hear some of the tracks off of "Townes" done live.

He's going to be in Dallas at the Lakewood on Sunday, June 21. I'm thinking of going in to see the show!

Have nailed down an interview with John Kruth, who wrote a book about Townes and also with Robert Earl Hardy, whose book was released last year. Still waiting to hear from Earle's people. I know he must be weary of talking to journalists.

Congratulations on getting those interviews Terry.....hope you can get one with Steve

[East Texas Parrothead]

The interview with Earle is not going to happen ... but I do have 2 tickets and a photo pass for his show in Dallas on the 21st.

[hawaiiboy]

so sorry that you did not get the interview Terry
But....congrats on the tickets and photo pass.
I think you are in for a good show

[East Texas Parrothead]

Just watched a documentary on Townes. Very well done.

You can watch if for free if you don't mind several "commerical" interruptions.

http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/be ... o_love_me/

The more I learn about TVZ, the more I fall in love with the music. Wow.

[conched]

Just watched a documentary on Townes. Very well done.

You can watch if for free if you don't mind several "commerical" interruptions.

http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/be ... o_love_me/

The more I learn about TVZ, the more I fall in love with the music. Wow.

WOW...is right! I just sat and watched that whole thing. So powerful. Thanks, Terry.

[Tiki Torches]

Just watched a documentary on Townes. Very well done.

You can watch if for free if you don't mind several "commerical" interruptions.

http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/be ... o_love_me/

The more I learn about TVZ, the more I fall in love with the music. Wow.

If you liked Be Here To Love Me I'm sure you would also enjoy the Heartworn Highways documentary which was shot back in the 70s but was re-released on DVD a few years back with all kinds of bonus footage. A soundtrack from the movie was also released. The documentary includes footage of Townes, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Charlie Daniels, David Allan Coe, Steve Young (who's probably best known for writing Lonesome On'ry and Mean and Seven Bridges Road) and several others.

[hawaiiboy]

The interview with Earle is not going to happen ... but I do have 2 tickets and a photo pass for his show in Dallas on the 21st.

I am looking forward to hearing the details of the show

[East Texas Parrothead]

The interview with Earle is not going to happen ... but I do have 2 tickets and a photo pass for his show in Dallas on the 21st.

I am looking forward to hearing the details of the show

It was fabulous, Kevin. I tried to get the CD autographed for you ... was sitting one table away from Earle and some friends at dinner ... but I just didn't feel right about interrupting and there was a HUGE crowd outside waiting for him afterward ... I had a 2-hour drive home, so I didn't wait.

Earle has really mellowed. I mean really. Allison and sobriety must really be good for him. He did 22 songs, including a lot from the new CD ...

Where I Lead Me
Colorado Girl
Pancho and Lefty
Brand New Companion - one of my favorites
Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold
Marie - which breaks my heart
Lungs
To Live's to Fly

He did Copperhead Road and Rich Man's War (complete with a good riff on the war). He did Dixieland (SGH told me to watch for that one ... it's pretty powerful). He played a mandolin on that one and it was very effective. He did City of Immigrants for the man who runs a deli (Mr. Kim) near his NYC apartment. He did The Mountain.

I'm not sure, because I didn't write it down, but I THOUGHT he did Flyin' Shoes. Or maybe, it's just that I listened to the CD over and back and he didn't do it live at all.

He closed with TLTF....then did a very touching song about the "Little Guy" (J.T.) and told some neat stories about JT's birth, the loss of his father, Jack Dublin Earle, two years ago ... and then he announced he was going to be a grandfather in July. Very sweet.

Going to this show reminded me of why I love music - folk music, as Earle kept calling it all night - it's about the stories and the music. No carnival. Just a man on a stage with a guitar, telling stories and opening a vein for his audience.

Unfortunately, I didn't really get a good shot ... I'll post the one that's kinda okay sometime later. I'm really, really tired, but glad I went.

Dezdemona met me for dinner and the show. Sure was good to catch up with her. It's hard to really visit during the Frisco weekend.

'Night, Kevin. I thought about you through the whole show. I hope Earle gets up your way. He's in a good place and this is a great show!

[East Texas Parrothead]

TT: Thanks for the tip on the other film.

I really believe TOWNES is going to reach a lot of people who have never heard his songs ... bless Earle's heart for doing this CD ... I also think it will garner some Emmy nominations.

I listened to the CD all the way to Dallas and all the way home. I do not get tired of hearing a Van Zandt song. He really did have a beautiful, if tragic, gift.