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Product Description
Review
Steve Earle’s talent has never been in doubt, and his commitment to the rootsy genre he dragged into popularity in the 80s has never wavered. And if this T-Bone Burnett-produced album isn’t a standout, it still has plenty going for it.
In the last decade Earle settled into the sort of steady output that began netting him Grammy Awards after all these years (three, like compensation, between 2004 and 2010). He’d been polishing up his CV too, acting on TV, writing an off-Broadway play, producing albums for other people and publishing his first book of short stories.
I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive even bears the same title (and nearly the same release date) as the Texan’s first novel. And like the book’s protagonist, it is haunted by the ghost of a previous generation’s maverick troubadour, Hank Williams. It’s a rag-bag of a collection, though, including songs from Earle’s 2008 album with Joan Baez as well as This City, from the New Orleans TV series Treme.
But it wouldn’t be Steve Earle if there wasn’t a bit of grit in the oyster. And alongside the latest creditable Irish tub-thumper (The Gulf of Mexico), some tender ballads and a fair share of brawny twang, the two most compelling songs here circle on a single cramped groove. Meet Me in the Alleyway evokes Tom Waits – all scratchy gutter blues and megaphone monologue – while Molly O is a fiery folk-punk love song.
On the downside, Burnett and his house band ladle on the shimmering guitars, splashy drums and pulsing bass, and Earle’s voice struggles in the fog. In any case, the man has influenced music too much to ever again sound as fresh as he did on Guitar Town or Train a Comin’ – records that never won at the Grammys, but worked their way into people’s hearts. His creative fires are burning steady, still, and if you care for him you’ll want a seat at the hearth.
--Ninian Dunnett
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Product Description
1-Waitin' On The Sky 2-Little Emperor 3-The Gulf Of Mexico 4-Molly-O 5-God Is God 6-Meet Me In The Alleyway 7-Every Part Of Me 8-Lonely Are The Free 9-Heaven Or Hell 10-I Am A Wanderer 11-This City (2011/NEW WEST) 11 tracks (37:41) Three time Grammy Award winner - 1st album of new songs in 4 years. Produced by T.Bone Burnett. Digipac incl. all lyrics.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Like others, I approached this record with some degree of trepidation- largely on account of its immediate ability to divide opinion among the man's most devoted admirers. Is it going to be as good or as disappointing as others declare? Well, my own response on taking the plunge was one of astonishment. The very first track caused my jaw to drop in wonderment of what met my ears. And as one track followed another it slowly dawned on me that I wasn't listening to a rather fine Steve Earle offering, I was listening to one of his very best. I've read that Steve attempts nothing new here, but he most certainly does. No previous album of his sounds like this one. The sonic landscape is carefully crafted to suit the tone of the songs & there are some remarkable songs here, at least a few of which are surely destined to be classed as classics. Highlights include the opening 'Waitin' On The Sky' (having been brought up in a military town beneath a big sky, I know exactly what he's singing about), 'The Gulf Of Mexico', 'This City' . . . & then there's 'Every Part Of Me'. The is probably the most direct love song I've ever heard. On paper, the lyrics don't seem to add up to much but the performance is breathtaking, utterly convincing & very moving. It really is rather special & I absolutely dread the prospect of it being subjected to a cover version by a contestant in some televised singing contest.
Have played the whole album three times now & it's impressed more with each hearing. I'm going to stick my neck out here & suggest that this is likely to be very influential on younger musicians. This is the work of a master craftsman in his maturity who succeeds in conveying far more genuine feeling by playing with a restraint that teems with rich musical detail. It is an album of haunting blasted beauty & I've never been able to say that about a Steve Earle record before. Personally, I think the guy just served an ace.
Have played the whole album three times now & it's impressed more with each hearing. I'm going to stick my neck out here & suggest that this is likely to be very influential on younger musicians. This is the work of a master craftsman in his maturity who succeeds in conveying far more genuine feeling by playing with a restraint that teems with rich musical detail. It is an album of haunting blasted beauty & I've never been able to say that about a Steve Earle record before. Personally, I think the guy just served an ace.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It is safe to say that Steve Earle is one of the very few living legends. His solid country blues with a hint of bluegrass style lays strong foundations for songs with meaningful and usually satirical lyrics. A seasoned artist of the protest song.
'I'll never get out of this world alive' stays true to Earle's roots, with a solid bass line, intricate acoustic guitar work, the occasional twang of bluegrass and hard meaningful lyrics to complement the instruments. His voice has taken the route of many other grizzled old folk singers. With a far gruffer texture than from his youth you can almost picture John Wayne or Old Man Jeff Bridges face to the voice. The voice of the outlaw has matured like a scotch whiskey, similar to that of Tom Jones in his most recent album.
Songs like 'The Gulf of Mexico' stay true as true to the country blues hand book, a solid driving bass tempo that cant stop you from tapping with dulcet and flowing acoustic rhythm. 'Little Emperor' has the twang of bluegrass with the fiddle keeping the song moving and very reminiscent of songs from his earlier albums, but with more grit.
All in all this is an incredible album. A mature album from a seasoned veteran of country/folk music a must for Steve Earle fans. For new comers to the Outlaw Earle this might be like reading a story backwards if you venture from here to his earlier albums. A great album still also on its own as well, music crafted with attention, originality and reams of experience, what more can you ask for!
'I'll never get out of this world alive' stays true to Earle's roots, with a solid bass line, intricate acoustic guitar work, the occasional twang of bluegrass and hard meaningful lyrics to complement the instruments. His voice has taken the route of many other grizzled old folk singers. With a far gruffer texture than from his youth you can almost picture John Wayne or Old Man Jeff Bridges face to the voice. The voice of the outlaw has matured like a scotch whiskey, similar to that of Tom Jones in his most recent album.
Songs like 'The Gulf of Mexico' stay true as true to the country blues hand book, a solid driving bass tempo that cant stop you from tapping with dulcet and flowing acoustic rhythm. 'Little Emperor' has the twang of bluegrass with the fiddle keeping the song moving and very reminiscent of songs from his earlier albums, but with more grit.
All in all this is an incredible album. A mature album from a seasoned veteran of country/folk music a must for Steve Earle fans. For new comers to the Outlaw Earle this might be like reading a story backwards if you venture from here to his earlier albums. A great album still also on its own as well, music crafted with attention, originality and reams of experience, what more can you ask for!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Steve went a little askew with "Townes" but this is a great return to form. He must be the only artist (perhaps along with Tom Waits) who adds rough edges to his material! The production appears to be hit and miss at times but thats how T Bone's career has gone. The material is up with Steve's best, "Waitin' On The Sky" and "Every Part Of Me" are exceptional. A great addition to his long list of wonderful albums.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Immense, near perfect.
I'm playing this as I write, I've had it a while but play it more and more and I think it's probably his best that I've heard (I haven't heard all of them, mind you). Read more
Published 3 months ago by GrahamPM
good .
being a Tremme fan i have like listening to Steve on the show so bought this for our home and we enjoyed series 1 and 2 so much. good to listen to.
Published 4 months ago by M. E. Hewitt
Simply the best
Recently returned to Steve Earle after a few years and forgotten just how good he is. I saw him years ago in York and was mesmerised by his song writing ability and energy. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Cymru666
Jerusalem Revisited
By the law of averages Steve Earle should be a drug and alcohol ravaged has been of a session musician, jobbing for any main stream country star who is prepared to take the chance... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Graeme Wright
Mr earle
hard hitting songs about human and natural disaster,Steve Earle deal with
these subjects on his own way,ie---great songs,well played,well produced
what more can one ask... Read more
these subjects on his own way,ie---great songs,well played,well produced
what more can one ask... Read more
Published 6 months ago by David W. Payne
earle does it again
once again steve earle has done it, this album is fantastic,with some great blues and hot country tones,looking forward to seeing mr earle on tour in november.
Published 8 months ago by kimbleshanks
On Top of the World
"Hanging around a love I know a little bit now, and I'm sitting on top of the world,
Banging on a guitar while the sun goes down, singing a song about a red headed girl,... Read more
Banging on a guitar while the sun goes down, singing a song about a red headed girl,... Read more
Published 10 months ago by L. Hennessy
love and the wanderer
steve goes back to country. overall a very good album.
one song he tells of his love for alison (don't we all? love shelby as well).
is this ominous?
one song he tells of his love for alison (don't we all? love shelby as well).
is this ominous?
Published 11 months ago by donone
Stevie scores again
Excellent album with new sounds uncannily like Plant and Krauss's collaboration and older Irish/country influences - up there with Stevie's best.
Published 12 months ago by Regor Notrub
More of the same (in a good way!)
Once again Mr Earle does not disapoint.
Good stuff from the outset. Nice to hear the "dukes-ey" sound again.
Good stuff from the outset. Nice to hear the "dukes-ey" sound again.
Published 12 months ago by MOG
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