Another split, another CD, more blues.
Steve Earle’s most recent work is his sixteenth studio album. It’s a blues album, his publicity informs us he is working on a musical and there is also a country music in process but this is blues. The title ‘Terraplane’ comes from a Hudson car of the thirties which inspired the Robert Johnson song ‘Terraplane Blues’. It comes nicely packaged “as a single compact disc, deluxe cd/dvd”. There is also a deluxe version with all sorts of extras, no doubt like the original car model. See your showroom sales man for details and amazing deals on trade in of all vinyl?
This is very much a Steve and the Dukes album. The Dukes being Kelly Looney; bass, Will Rigby; drums and husband and wife team Eleanor Whitmore; fiddles and vocals and Chris Masterson; guitars. No outside players that I see.
Recorded in Nashville. All songs written by Steve. Produced by long time producer of choice Ray Kennedy. We are informed that much of the material was written when Steve toured Europe alone “with a backpack” after the breakup of his most recent marriage to Allison Moorer. More of that later.
Yes it sounds like a blues album from the very opening bars ‘Baby Baby Baby’, blues harmonica, twangy electric guitar, solid bass and drums and Steve singing “baby, baby, baby”. Lots and lots of baby in fact. Hard driving, if not really out of the ordinary blues song. More baby in the next track, ‘You Are The Best Lover I Ever Had’.
Would you be inclined to believe that? Musically the same very tight blues formula and nothing strong with that, no un necessary frills. No need baby.
‘Tennessee Kid’ finds us at the crossroads, where else on a blues album, a roundabout just wouldn’t sound the same. Talking blues from the devils point of view, shades of Rodney Crowell and Cash? The mood lightens somewhat with ‘Aint Nobody Daddy Now’, nice picked acoustic guitar and fiddle from Eleanor Whitmore. Great to be free isn’t it?
‘Better Off Alone’ is a bitter little number.
Go, there’s the door, I taught you everything you know.
(Well actually she had a great career and talent before and probably after you). Who are we to judge? It’s tight, well played blues and a great subject for it.
‘The Usual Time’, back in the wanting you baby territory. The usual blues, usually well played. Go Go Boots are back, Steve noticing what young people are wearing and fashion changing, sure we are all getting old.
‘Acquainted With The Wind’ is a breezy little number (sorry couldn’t resist).
There’s more baby on ‘Baby Just As Mean As Me’. I could recommend a good therapist but I’m sure you have been there. This features Eleanor Whitmore on vocal and fiddle, nice contrast of voices and one of the best tracks on the album… baby.
‘Gambling Blues’ and ‘King of the Blues’ are the final tracks; it’s a blues album in case you forgot. The former light the latter very dark, mama crying, Lord have mercy, thirteenth in line territory. Rocks along nicely.
Overall this is a tight well played, produced and packaged work. In my humble opinion it doesn’t feature much that is new in the Steve Earle catalogue or any great addition to the blues. However it’s still a decent piece of work. Would I pay £12 for it? No but if I picked it up second hand it would keep me listening in the car for a day or two. Well most things are better than Radio Ulster aren’t they?
Steve Earle & the Dukes play the Real Music Club at The Limelight, Belfast on Friday 23rd October. It’ll be blue.