Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade (DIG)
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Free Music Notes for Washington Square Serenade (DIG)
Free Music Review: Goodbye, Guitar Town
Hit: 5 Stars
Many years ago Steve Earle stated that Townes Van Zandt was the best songwriter on the planet and he'd "stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." If that scenario ever took place, I'd make my case for the guy standing on the coffee table.
This is another great collection of songs from Mr. Earle. I had heard a lot of pre-release discussion about his use of Pro Tools and wondered if that might get in the way of the songs. My concerns were unfounded; the production enhances the songs, doesn't overwhelm them. Okay, okay, maybe "Satellite Radio" is overwhelmed, but that is by design; without Steve's vocals, you'd swear it was a Beck track. However, the song totally works and wound up being one of my favorites on the album.
At first listen, "Down Here Below" is a song about a hawk who lives in a towering apartment building, scouring Central Park for his prey -- but Pale Male isn't the only Fifth Avenue predator at the top of the food chain. "Sparkle and Shine" is a whimsical and goofy yet honest song that brings to mind the work of John Prine. "City of Immigrants" and "Steve's Hammer" are other highlights, and Steve uses Irish/bluegrass instrumentation (and harmonica) to good effect on "Oxycontin Blues" and "Red is the Color."
The highlight of the album for me, though, has got to be "Tennessee Blues." This song, fingerpicked on an acoustic guitar, is about Steve's move to New York City from his longtime adopted home of Nashville. An aspiring songwriter could learn a lot about the craft from this one. It's bittersweet, wistful, defiant, hopeful -- all at the same time. Every word rings true and will resonate with anyone who ever made such a move (or went through a similar life change).
A solid release which I highly recommend.
[Note for anyone who wants to play "Tennessee Blues" on his or her guitar: On the DVD, it looks like Steve puts his capo at the second fret, but doesn't clamp the low-E string. This allows him to play in Dropped-D tuning but still fret a G chord in the standard way. The video version -- just Steve and his acoustic -- shows his hands enough to be helpful in learning to play the song.]
Free Music Review: Driving Acoustic Finger-Picked Ballads that Rock !!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Will this be Steve Earle's over-looked forgotten masterpiece?
It took me a while but I finally got on to Washington Square Serenade....
This is top notch Steve Earle like none before... a must have !!
I wanted it to be soo good when it came out then was turned off by Satellite Radio
and City Of Immigrants, both of which were heavily played on the radio...
Take out those 2 songs and you have a perfect album...
Some have said WSS comes off as Steve talking or rambling through songs ranting
and raving about more Steve Earle complaints... This is not the case...
WSS is full of acoustic serenades about life, women and love.
The facts are I have become VERY fond of WSS...
I think it is going to take over the #1 spot !!
The beginning notes of Tennessee Blues immediately grab you and is a preview
of the rest of the cd.....minus Immigrants and satellite radio songs....
I can't get enough of Down Here Below, Sparkle and Shine, Down in the Hole..
It's a national treasure to have this type of music marked as "American Made".
If you are into driving acoustic finger-picked ballads that rock - look no further.
Steve Earle has miraculously come out with what is essentially a masterpiece.
Maybe even his best yet... Which doesn't seem feasible to accomplish such a feat.
Real musicians "age like wine" and Steve Earle is a "real" musician..
In time - - It only gets better ..
Highly Recommended for ALL Ages
Free Music Review: Rolling with the Changes
Hit: 5 Stars
Odd. Having followed Earle since the early days, this album shows that Earle has hit a different avenue. His move to NYC is well documented, but it's the affect it's had on the music that is most important. Musically Earle is more mellow here. After the firestorm that was the Revolution album, you had to wonder just where he was going to go. Thankfully it wasn't straight into the burning pit, instead he's veered up into the high atmosphere.
The mellow approach had meant Earles songs could shine, their melody, humor, and celebration can shine through. This isn't just another Earle album, there's definately something new going on here.
I won't run through all the tracks, it's a record that deserves to be heard all the way through. However, personally speaking, there is only one hole in the record, one track I wish I could tear out. So, City Of Immigrants was a single huh? Ouch! I'm not getting on with that very much, its message is far too simplistic for me, and the chorus is just annoying.
Thankfully, everything around it is just wonderful. This is the first Earle album I can honestly say can be played any time of the night and day. I've played it at 2 in the morning and at 6... it works.
You know, this is certainly the best Earle album for a long time - which is not to say what he's been doing has been poor. This is a mature record with a wave of contentment over top. It's fun, beautiful, and your foot taps. What more do you want?
Free Music Review: another great Steve Earle album (surprise, surprise!)
Hit: 5 Stars
Seeing kicking drugs, Steve Earle has been on one of the greatest musical rolls of all time. This album continues the roll, making it the 8th great album he's released in a row. Some people are saying that they're glad he's not making another loud political album like the last two, but I loved those, and I loved this one at the first listen. It's acoustic, and anyone whose heard Train a Comin' or The Mountain knows how good Steve is when he's acoustic. Sure, there are some interesting modern touches in the production, but it's basically a non-bluegrass (but plenty rootsy) acoustic CD. The variety, though, reminds me more of albums like El Corazon or Trancendental Blues, and that's a good thing too. And while it may not be as political as Jerusalem or Revolution Starts now, it's still got plenty of politics... just a little more subtle this time. You can tell he's in love and all, but most of the songs are NOT about his new wife. Overall, it manages to sound new and like classic Steve Earle at the same time--really couldn't ask for more. Just hope we don't have to wait another 3 years for the next one!Free Music Review: Brilliant!
Hit: 5 Stars
If you haven't yet fallen in love with Steve Earle, here's your latest chance. Wherever Steve Earle is is where Steve Earle shines, and for sure New York City is no exception. Each song is gorgeous, fresh and new. The writing and production is fabulous from what might be called "hillbilly hip-hop" on "Satellite Radio" and "Tennessee Blues" to the lilting, Beatlesque "Days Aren't Long Enough". Thoughtful, gentle "Come Home To Me" is especially poignant for those of us who've loved and lost and lived to finally find real love. "Down Here Below" is midtown Manhattan with a brilliant, NYC-meets-Tennessee banjo break. Other simply outstanding tracks include... every other song on the album. If you think you can write a song, listening to Steve Earle will either make you want to put down your pen forever or try a heck of a lot harder. The man just oozes impeccable music, and presents it in such a down home way he makes such genius seem as every-day as putting gas in your car, but we know better. I can't wait for more from Mr. Earle. Pale Male might not care, but I sure do.