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About FTB |
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| Fred is one of my favorite
"unknown" singer-songwriters, and if there's any justice in the world,
he'll be a much better known soon. The Canadian has always toured like crazy,
with his enchanting band, The Flying Squirrels, making new fans the old fashioned
way, one gig at a time. This CD has a lot of the harder-sounding "clang
and wheeze" arrangements that he started experimenting with on his last CD.
But there's still a few folk songs and rootsy tunes too. Eaglesmith has so
much passion that you just can't help but love the guy as he screams his way through
more brilliant songs about love and cars. He is a true original with plenty
of wonderful sardonic wit. This CD might be the one that puts him over to
the larger audience that he certainly deserves. |
| Best tunes: Ten Ton Chain, Gettin' To Me, Mighty Big Car, Steel
Guitar, Carter, Alternator. Fred's
site, links to an up-to-date tour schedule. Razor
& Tie's site has bio, tour and ordering info. Released June, '99, reviewed by Bill Frater. |
 FRED
EAGLESMITH 
Balin...
(AML) | | I’m a big fan of ol’ Fred Eaglesmith
and his hearty "living on the edge" songwriting attitude. Fred has almost a whole
new band, (the Flathead Noodlers), and they’re sounding less like a garage band
and more like a garage bluegrass band. The whole thing was recorded live to 3-track,
which means they didn’t use too many mics and it sounds like it, rough and full
of space. It’s just that all his songs don’t exactly grab me on Balin, a few sound
like they were thrown together pretty quick. Sometimes his writing sounds a little
too formulaic. I realize that to say "Fred" kinda tunes are formulaic is rather
ironic since he's not your everyday songwriter. His subject matter covers everything
from tractors to rooster fights to cars, trains, (of course), and perhaps a few
real love songs . " I Shot Your Dog" has to be one of the highlights. It's about
an uncomfortable conversation with a neighbor. All in all, if you're a Fred Head,
you'll either love it or will know that his next release will be better. Hats
off to him for putting out CD’s on his own label now, which may make it harder
to find at you local music store, but the artist get more of the money. |
FredEaglesmith.com has links for CD ordering. Released June, 2003. Reviewed by Bill
Frater with the help of Sherry Austin. |
 FRED EAGLESMITH 
Dusty... (A Major Label) |
Hot off the Canadian press, a new offering from the ever-prolific Mr. Eaglesmith. This is a departure from his last CD (love the Wurlitzer, Fred) but then, Mr. E likes to keep us guessing. You can't be in a hurry to listen to this CD. As with any artist whose work you appreciate, you have to let him take you where he's going, not where you expect to go. This is a slow moving CD with unusual arrangements glockenspiel, Wurlitzer Fun maker, reed organ and cellos. (That's right, cellos) along with the more predictable guitar and drums. This is a dreamy Fred. Not necessarily lighthearted but something about the cellos and the organ gives space to these compositions and the seduction is more subtle. Still much talk about love, lost, overlooked and/or on it's way out as well as the real-time feeling of being in a life at the ground level. Not every song is memorable but my favorites: "Hey Baby", "Ship", I75 and Crowds have the strongest melodies (to my ear) and some very cool organ. |
| For Fredheads everywhere and available at fredeaglesmith.com Order from CD Baby. Released Nov. '04, reviewed
by Kay Clements |
 FRED EAGLESMITH
Tinderbox ... (A Major Label) |
| If this isn’t the best record Fred Eaglesmith has ever made, it’s damn close. For his 17th release, Eaglesmith uses religion — the serpent handling, back-row wailing, hell and damnation variety — as the vehicle for a collection of songs that explore familiar Eaglesmith themes. It’s another slice of the dark underside of life, where Satan, snakes and guns inhabit the hollows and gravel roads of rural towns, and broken down war heroes, forlorn lovers and desperate souls seek redemption. Eaglesmith has teamed up with long-time collaborator Scott Merritt and produced a sparse, haunting group of 18 songs that are part old-timey, folk and rock, and part Gospel revival. The combination of a plunking banjo, synthesizer and Eaglesmith’s raspy voice create a tangible emotional atmosphere. There is an unhurried and slightly off-key quality to the songs reminiscent of a Tom Waits recording. This CD conjures up the spirit of a revival tent on the edge of a small town where the real God shows its face and the poor farmers don’t cling to their religion, they are swallowed up by it. Eaglesmith has a well-earned reputation among his dedicated followers (known as Fredheads) of constant experimentation, integrity, fierce independence and a mistrust of corporate influences in the music business. “Tinderbox” is the latest installment from an artist with an unflinching vision of life and the songwriting skills to match it. |
| FredEaglesmith.com or add the "j" for CD ordering or.... Buy from amazon Released Apr. '08, reviewed by Barry Dugan. |
 JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
The Good Life… (Bloodshot) |
| This kid’s got some mighty big shoes to fill, named after Townes Van Zandt by his father Steve Earle. Wisely Justin doesn't try to match either of his namesakes. His songs are dead simple, nothing too fancy. There's a few acoustic numbers but the highlights are when he dives into pure retro honky-tonk. You'd think he was Ernest Tubb's son! If you love your vintage twang, this one'll tickle ya, but if you're looking for the next Steve Earle, well, give him a few years. Justin's only 26 years old and this is his first release. I'd say it's a great and refreshing start. |
| Bloodshot's JTE page. Order from Amazon. Released March, '08, reviewed by Bill Frater |
 JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Midnight at the Movies… (Bloodshot) |
| On his stellar 2008 debut The Good Life, the territory covered by Justin Townes Earle ran old-fashioned country shuffles to swing to folk. With Midnight at the Movies, Earle pushes the envelope a bit further broadening his Americana music palate to include country blues and acoustic pop at the same demonstrating a sophisticated eye for subject matter. A monster talent on the live side, from performance to songwriting to his vocal work, this latest presents an artist beyond his years who wears both the Earle surname and the Townes second given name extremely well. |
| Visit My Space page. Buy from amazon. Released March, 2009. Reviewed by Dan Ferguson |
 JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Harlem River Blues… (Bloodshot) |
| The new Harlem River Blues marks Justin Townes Earle's first recording since relocating to Brooklyn from Nashville. Ironically, Earle returned to Nashville to make the recording, though, draws heavily from the New York experience in his lyrics. His third album for Bloodshot Records, Earle continues to evolve, not to mention mature, in all ways positive with this album. His sound, while rooted in traditional music if anything, avoids any hints of staidness as he crafts a collection of ear-catching songs in a plethora of rootsy settings from country-up swing to ramblin' rock & rollers (the leadoff title track a true keeper) to the folksier sounds of the best of his prior two albums. Most noteworthy is his voice which sounds more confident and clearer than ever. With Harlem River Blues, JTE continues to be a talent on the rise. Recommended. |
JTE's web site. Buy from amazon. Released September, 2010. Reviewed by Dan Ferguson |
 STACEY
EARLE
Dancin' With Them That Brung Me... (Gearle) | |
Stacey's first CD, (Simple Gearle), was recorded just to sell at concerts
and wasn't considered to be a formal release.This time around, the CD packaging
and recording are more professional, yet Stacey still maintains her "aw-shucks"
attitude and loose vocal style. She comes across as a regular Southern girl,
comfortable in a trailer park yet also confident enough to express her true honest
emotions in her insightful songs. Although everything is mostly acoustic-based,
I would hesitate to call it folk music. Stacey's rhythm guitar work is very
percussive and husband and harmony vocalist Mark Stuart's acoustic lead guitar
style is always inventive and frequently inspired by rock riffs. Stacey's an intelligent
yet simple songwriter who avoids the sophomore slump here and shows that she's
much more then Steve's little sister. | |
She has a great website, StaceyEarle.com,
with up-to-date tour info, CD and T-shirt ordering and more. Released May 2000, reviewed by Bill Frater. |
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| First off, this is Steve
Earle's sister, and she shares his talent of creating wonderfully memorable
melodies. She also has the stubborn independence to release this CD on her
own label, although E-Squared is now distributing it. The arrangements are soft
and simple, featuring her husband Mark Stuart on tasteful lead acoustic guitar
and harmonies. The sound is similar to Gillian Welch or early Nanci Griffith,
especially the latter when it comes to her vocal range. Her songs are mostly
about happy contemporary subjects like weddings, childhood, married life and well...simple
things. This is the kind of album that grabs ya after the third or fourth
listening and then doesn't let go. If you think this sounds like something
you'd like, don't think about it, just go buy it. |
Favorite songs: Wedding Night, Tears That She Cries, Simple Gearle, Losers
Weep, Cried My Heart Out, Show Me How, In My Way. She has her own site, StaceyEarle.com,
with bio, tour info and 4 full length RA songs. Released Feb, '99, reviewed by Bill Frater. |
|
 STEVE
EARLE
El Corazon.... (E-Squared/Warners) | |
Mr.Earle just may have put out the CD that
will put him on the same street with the major singer-songwriters of the
90's. The all-original songs are all over the place, as they should be stylistically-
hitting on some bluegrass, some hard stuff and even a great lo-fi Hank Williams
sounding thing that adds the "clicks and pops" of a good ol' vinyl 78.
Steve opens with a folk/blues that's ask for Woody Guthrie to come back to "help
us out", then the CD closes with a folk tribute to the late Townes Van Zandt,
one of Earle's biggest influences. The guy still sounds sober, thankfully, and
he's not so hung up on sounding tough, Earle is just making great-sounding music
here, strong melodies, and insightful lyrics. This is as good as it gets! Keep
putting 'em out like this one, Steve, there's a hungry audience out here that
will follow wherever you go. |
Best tracks: Christmas In Washington, Telephone Road, N.Y.C.,
The Other Side of Town, Poison Lovers. Warners
site very slick, inc. lyrics from El Corazon, tour info, message board, etc.
A great Steve Earle fan site
including bios, lyrics, guitar chords, and lots more! Released Oct. '97, reviewed by Bill Frater. |
 STEVE
EARLE
Transcendental Blues... (E-Squared) |
| Well, since Steve has been on such a hot streak since Train 'A Comin' in
'95 that I half expected and was ready to accept a new CD that would be a lesser
effort. Boy, was I wrong! This CD, reputed to be his return to Rock music,
really covers the entire spectrum of what Americana's most consistently creative
artist is all about. Definitely a few of the tunes rock out, Steve's even
reaching back for a little psychedelic inspiration and doing it better then Wilco
did on their last CD. Fact is, the guy writes great songs, be they deep acoustic
folk tunes, straight pop, or Irish-inspired ditties. And he seems to have
been struck again by Cupid as many of the tunes are love songs. What they all
have in common are superb melodies and honest, inspired lyrics. Earle is
writing a Haiku a day which has not only strengthened his mastery of prose but
seems to have taught him the value of brevity. He's a cultured rebel who
is at the top of his game right now, doing what he does best, his art. |
| e2records.com has press stuff and his new tour schedule. Released June 2000, reviewed
by Bill Frater. |
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This album exemplifies what I love about
this music. The combination of Earle's gritty but heartbanger songwriting combined
with the blistering excellence of the Del McCoury Band (best bluegrass band
working today according to Mr. Earle). It's traditional, it's contemporary,
and it pays homage to it's roots without getting stuck there. Context not
concrete... and out of that emerges some of the best textured music to be heard
these days. Talk about a buzz, this is one crowd that's not phoning
it in. Fact is, they're almost predictably too fine... if there is such
a thing... (critics, can't please em', can't piss'em off). Anyway, it's
hot, as you would expect from a twangtrust production. This album has had enough
pre-release talk to titillate fans of both bluegrass and whatever label you wanna
slap on Steve, but it's all true and worth the newsflash... You gotch
yer duet with Iris Dement, yer twin mandolins on "Connemara Breakdown"
and the combination of Del and Steve on "Carrie Brown" is nothing short
of hair raising....that's bluegrass hair now, think about it. Jerry Douglas,
Stuart Duncan, Gene Wooten and Dan Gillis lend some great chops to this record
that I think Bill Monroe would've felt mighty good about, yes sir I do... |
| Best tunes:
Carrie Brown, I'm Still In Love With You, The Graveyard Shift, The Mountain, Connemara
Breakdown, Outlaw's Honeymoon. E-Squared
has a nice site. Steveearle.net is a
fan site. Released Feb, '99, reviewed
by Kay Clements. |
 STEVE EARLE
Jerusalem... (Artemis) |
| There's a lot of hoo-ha going on right now about this new CD from Earle. That many of the songs are a stylistic departure from Earle's usual sound is one of the reasons but the lion's share of the attention is going to Earle's lyrics. In some of the songs, Earle writes from the perspective of someone who hates America and everything it stands for. While I am sure most people don't actually believe Earle is actually agreeing with these sentiments, many are shocked he would choose so close after the horrible events of 9/11 to write a song from this point of view. I, for one, feel it's about time. America used to have a strong legacy of protesting through music, going back through the field hollers of slaves which evolved into modern blues and up to Woody Guthrie and others who fought for the acceptance of equal rights by using their chosen art to make people think about their world and what was considered honorable and fair. Caught up in a PC age, most musicians are afraid to confront any ideas or injustices which go against the public grain. This is the real dangerous thinking. We when become involved in group think, in pleasing the masses for money's or pride's sake, we run the risk of not only diluting our art but our spirit and souls as well. Do I personally believe the feelings expressed by the character in Earle's song? No. But I do know, from the recent tragedy, that there are people who do think and feel this way and it is in our best interest to understand why they feel the way they do and try our best to figure out a solution that works not only in our best interest, but to also look at the situation and make sure we are not actually at fault in any way. Earle has taken a brave step with this album and will no doubt lose many fans who don't understand he is using his art to provoke and make us consider all sides of the terrible carnage that took place just over a year ago. From a man who just a decade ago was written off as a has-been and a drug/alcohol casualty comes a thought-provoking genre-busting album which will be talked about for years. I would say the music and songs are pretty damn good but it's kind of anti-climatic isn't it? Keep away from this unless you have an open mind. Not even stalwart Earle fans are going to flock to this one. |
| Order from Amazon. Released Sept. '02, reviewed by Scott Homewood |
 STEVE EARLE
The Revolution Starts...Now... (Artemis) |
After his previous two releases, I've decided that there is only one way to examine this recording, and that is in two ways: from a musical, Americana, perspective, and, as a work of social commentary. Written and recorded almost in its entirety in twenty-four hours, The Revolution Starts Now is a testament to the prodigious talents of both Steve and the Dukes. I don't know where he gets them from, but damn, this guy writes some really fine music. It's difficult to single out any one track, they're all that good, but I get off especially on the rocking “Home to Houston”, “The Gringo's Tale”,(lovely strings here), and “Comin' Around”, featuring the exquisite vocals of Emmylou Harris. There's something unique and rare that happens when Earle's voice is counter pointed by a feminine set of pipes, and this song is a stellar example. I've ragged about this before, so I guess I can't let Steve off the hook: at a few seconds shy of thirty-six minutes, the disc is over way too soon for me, hence the missing ½ star. In fairness, he did create it from scratch in a lot less time that this assessment has taken me to produce.When I first saw the CD's title, I thought, “Uh oh, the shit's gonna hit the fan all over again, shades of “John Walker's Blues””. That furor was egregious then, and, it will be now, if it should happen again. Earle has always argued the case for the little guys: the Jimmys, the Alis, the boys from West Colorado and Houston, who get suckered into fighting and dying for other peoples' personal agendas. Their stories are laid out herein so poignantly that it is almost too painful to listen to them. It is misguided authority, and the abuse of power and trust, that are the targets of Earle's wrath, not any particular party or person. Whomsoever constitutes the current incarnation of evil, Mars or Aries, will be his target, and, “F the CC”, he will say what he thinks, because he's American, and it's his r
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