I’ve long had an affection for rootsy Americana, a hangover from my old man’s love of olde tyme country; Cash, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee, Billy Jo, Tammy and all that. So I guess it wasn’t a complete surprise when I was drawn to Steve Earle in the post post punk, post Live Aid wasteland of 1986.
In part I was attracted by his already legendary bad boy reputation but it was Guitar Town’s attack on Reaganomics and the championing of society’s outsiders that really struck a chord, albeit a hard hitting twangy one. The rip roarin’ Copperhead Road confirmed what I already knew, the title track an absolutely irresistible anthem of white trash rebellion. Little did I realise that Steve Earle was unravelling fast, The Hard Way, which painfully documented his drug use and imploding lifestyle, a pre-cursor to a five year spell in the wilderness. At one point I was convinced I would be hearing of his early demise before too long.
Surprisingly it didn’t work out that way. Slowly but surely Steve Earle has established himself as a rootsy Renaissance man; political activist, radio host, rocker actor and playwright. He’s become the smart dude with the big heart, writing a heap of provocative tunes sticking up for the little man. A highly respected, dependable workaholic, he’s living proof that doing the right thing isn’t a complete impossibility.
1. Guitar Town / Guitar Town LP August 1986
2. My Old Friend The Blues / Guitar Town LP August 1986
3. Nowhere Road / Exit O LP June 1987
4. I Ain`t Ever Satisfied / Exit O LP June 1987
5. Copperhead Road / Copperhead Road LP October 1988
6. The Devil`s Right Hand / Copperhead Road LP October 1988
7. Johnny Come Lately / Copperhead Road LP October 1988
8. Regular Guy / The Hard Way LP June 1990
9. Mercenary Song / Train A Comin LP July 1995
10. Mystery Train Pt. 2 / Train A Comin LP July 1995
11. Ellis Unit One / Dead Man Walking LP January 1996
12. Feel Alright / I Feel Alright LP March 1996
13. Hardcore Troubadour / I Feel Alright LP March 1996
14. Telephone Road / El Corazon LP October 1997
15. Ft. Worth Blues / El Corazon LP October 1997
16. The Mountain (with The Del McCoury Band) / The Mountain LP February 1999
17. Transcendental Blues / Transcendental Blues LP June 2000
18. Galway Girl / Transcendental Blues LP June 2000
19. John Walker`s Blues / Jerusalem LP September 2002
20. Jerusalem / Jerusalem LP September 2002
21. The Revolution Starts… / The Revolution Starts Now LP August 2004
22. Tennessee Blues / Washington Square Serenade LP September 2007
23. Mr Mudd And Mr Gold (with Justin Townes Earle) / Townes LP May 2009
