(no subject)
Went to see Steve Earle on Monday, with wascally_weasel.
We've been going to see him play since 1996. This gig was at the Camden Roundhouse, a good venue with crystal-clear accoustics. Though the round design did mean we got a bit lost trying to find the exit after the gig.
Mrs Earle was the support act. She looked lovely, and played a mix of her own songs and the covers from her new album. She was brave enough to cover Judy Collins's Both Sides Now, and sang it well.
Steve came on and did an accoustic set of his truly classic old songs. He changed instruments between Now She's Gone and Goodbye, saying; "same girl. Different harmonica". Goodbye still stands up to his comment about it years ago; "I'll never write a better song". WW didn't get his train song, but did get a grin from Steve when he shouted for one. I got to hear The Devil's Right Hand live again.
Then he went into stuff from the new album, with a DJ and decks rather than a backing band. I liked it, but I'm afraid he's turning his back too deliberately on his country background. Changing styles for different albums is good, and had probably helped him keep his music fresh and all, but maybe he's too happy about leaving "Guitar Town" without finding another reference point. I thought it was interesting that in Down Here Below he references NY city through the POV of the red-tailed hawk flying above it. "Pale Male, he's cool, see...".
Not very much political commentary now, but then maybe he's trying to speak through his songs alone. A good moment where he persuaded us, reserved British audience that we were, to sing along to Steve's Hammer in the style of Pete Seeger leading a singalong a line at a time.
The gig ended with the anthemic Copperhead Road, and I think this brought home to me the fear that the way Steve's taking his music is missing out on something. It seemed flat to me, like he was playing it out of politeness.
After the gig, armed with a new T shirt, I made my way home. Missed last train, and Victoria Line is shutting early till November for refurbishment, so ended up getting the 417 from Clapham Common and getting home later than I'd have liked.
Too tired to post yesterday evening, so posting now.
We've been going to see him play since 1996. This gig was at the Camden Roundhouse, a good venue with crystal-clear accoustics. Though the round design did mean we got a bit lost trying to find the exit after the gig.
Mrs Earle was the support act. She looked lovely, and played a mix of her own songs and the covers from her new album. She was brave enough to cover Judy Collins's Both Sides Now, and sang it well.
Steve came on and did an accoustic set of his truly classic old songs. He changed instruments between Now She's Gone and Goodbye, saying; "same girl. Different harmonica". Goodbye still stands up to his comment about it years ago; "I'll never write a better song". WW didn't get his train song, but did get a grin from Steve when he shouted for one. I got to hear The Devil's Right Hand live again.
Then he went into stuff from the new album, with a DJ and decks rather than a backing band. I liked it, but I'm afraid he's turning his back too deliberately on his country background. Changing styles for different albums is good, and had probably helped him keep his music fresh and all, but maybe he's too happy about leaving "Guitar Town" without finding another reference point. I thought it was interesting that in Down Here Below he references NY city through the POV of the red-tailed hawk flying above it. "Pale Male, he's cool, see...".
Not very much political commentary now, but then maybe he's trying to speak through his songs alone. A good moment where he persuaded us, reserved British audience that we were, to sing along to Steve's Hammer in the style of Pete Seeger leading a singalong a line at a time.
The gig ended with the anthemic Copperhead Road, and I think this brought home to me the fear that the way Steve's taking his music is missing out on something. It seemed flat to me, like he was playing it out of politeness.
After the gig, armed with a new T shirt, I made my way home. Missed last train, and Victoria Line is shutting early till November for refurbishment, so ended up getting the 417 from Clapham Common and getting home later than I'd have liked.
Too tired to post yesterday evening, so posting now.