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A couple of years ago Bruce Springsteen released a fantastic tribute to his hero, Pete Seeger. I get the distinct feeling that the Boss’s protracted project (it took over a decade to materialise) has somehow inspired this 15 track covers album. No matter.
On hearing the songs, it’s hard to understand that Van Zandt was just a cult act who performed mostly in dive bars.
Inside the CD sleeve notes, there’s a poignant black and white photograph of Earle with Townes. Townes is holding his acoustic guitar, while Earle appears to be playing his.
The two were friends for years, from 1972 until his death in 1997, so it’s very fitting that Earle has become his musical custodian.
It’s not the first time Earle has paid tribute to his friend, over the years covering various songs including Pancho and Lefty, White Freightliner Blues and Lungs, though it’s the first album’s worth, and what an album it is too. It has his son Justin Townes Earle and wife Alison Moorer on it as well.
Not having heard any of the originals (yes, I know, embarrassing) it’s impossible to draw comparisons, not that it really matters. Confession over, I’m only able to say how the songs feel to me right now played by possibly his biggest admirer, though Dylan and Merle Haggard have covered Pancho too.
What’s even more amazing, Van Zandt, who suffered with manic depression, substance abuse and alcoholism, never had a hit single or album, though he was always considered to be a musician’s musician.
Earle is no slouch in the songwriting department himself, so bearing that in mind, and their close friendship, I’m sure he’d have wanted the best possible outcome for his buddy. As an album alone, it really is fantastic, and I admit a bias there too.
Over the years through the likes of Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) Mica P.Hinson, Devendra Banhart more recently, and golden oldies such as Neil Young and Bob Dylan, I’ve got a big crush on the Americana genre.
The album was recorded in several locations with different musicians using different styles, which is why it works so brilliantly.
One minute we’re given lashings of tender Bluegrass on Delta Momma Blues, Don’t Take It Too Bad and perky White Freightliner (check the dazzling banjo and fiddle on this one) balanced with raw Texas blues for hangdog ballad Brand New Companion, and the rawest track on the entire album, blues drenched Where I Lead Me featuring some mesmerising harmonica.
Earle hits the bulls-eye with the stripped back Rake (echoes of Springsteen’s Nebraska). This emotional ballad is given added kudos by the swirling melancholic string arrangement, and on foot-tapper Loretta – Earle’s missus Allison does backups - he dares to throw in a Celtic flavour (Springsteen’s John Henry cover is casting a massive shadow here).
After multiple spins, I’ve concluded this one of the best album in 2009.
1. Pancho And Lefty
2. White Freightliner Blues
3. Colorado Girl
4. Where I Lead Me
5. Lungs
6. No Place To Fall
7. Loretta
8. Brand New Companion
9. Rake
10. Delta Momma Blues
11. Marie
12. Don’t Take It Too Bad
13. Mr.Mudd And Mr.Gold
14. (Quicksilver Daydreams of) Maria
15. To Live Is To Fly
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.