It is
somewhat ironic that an artist like Steve Earle, who predominantly writes songs
these days based the economic depression, should be victim of it himself. The
top two tiers of the Symphony Hall remain closed for this show – the first on
Earle’s European tour.
Those that
are here, and in their seats early get the chance to see The Mastersons.
Fronted by husband and wife team Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore – they use
Steve Earle’s rhythm section for their set and appear in his band too. The two
both play on Earle’s new album and the man himself introduces them then
proceeds to watch their set stage right.
It isn’t just
Earle that is impressed with their “Birds Fly South” record. RTM too, enjoys
our first half in their company. Whether it’s the two vocalists thing or not,
but there is a real Drive By Truckers feel to these songs. Worth checking out
if you want something just a little different.
The world
needs artists like Steve Earle. One of the songs he plays tonight is “Hardcore Troubadour,”
which is also the title of his autobiography. His life reads almost like the
handbook for the itinerant country star. Drug addiction, homelessness, multiple
marriages have all featured prominently in his life. His music has reflected
this wanderlust over the years, and has ranged from country, to bluegrass, to
rock, singer/songwriter, electronic and almost metal in places (witness his cover
of Nirvana’s “Breed” for proof.) RTM has seen Earle on two other occasions. One
was a real rocky affair at the Academy years and years ago, while the last time
was an acoustic gig which saw him play songs by his hero Townes Van Zandt.
Tonight he
and his band of Dukes are in town to play tracks from his new album “The Low
Highway” which is a fabulous record and one which is influenced by the fact
that Earle spends a lot of time in New Orleans writing songs for the TV show
Treme. As such there is a lot of blues and jazz in these tracks. He is justifiably
proud of it and plays it all tonight during the course of the two and a quarter
hours he spends on stage. “That All You Got?” about stoicism in the face of
Hurricane Katrina (and a track which features prominently in the show) is a
highlight, as is the driving blues of “Calico County”
Whilst the
album – and show – very much deals with the present, there is plenty of time
for older songs. The ones you would be expect to be good (“Guitar Town” and “Copperhead
Road”) but the true skill of Earle is that he can chuck in a song you weren’t expecting
like “Ben McCulloch” and it sounds superb.
If you need
further clarification as to what makes Steve Earle quite so good it comes at
the end. After playing a song dedicated to his three year old son (“I’m 58 and
I have a three year old, that makes me an optimist,” he jokes.) he is back for
an encore of the rabble rousing “The Revolution Starts ….Now!”
Truly,
there are not many people in this world who can play quite so many styles of
music and sound so good whatever they do.
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