I am pretty exicted the one blue note show I am going to to. March seems to be a pretty big country music month here in NYC.

I was once a big fan of steve earle. then I had the misfortune of seeing him live. he was such a tool (the worst combination of simple minded sloganeering and arrogance) that I can't even listen to his music without being annoyed any more. he also just had a very nasty vibe about him--seemed like a mean person. too bad.

Hear hear. I cannot listen to him anymore either. I don't like to pay for a gig and end up in a political rally, even if I might agree with some of his views.

Must have been an off-night. Both times I've seen him, he's put on a kick-ass show. On one--at the end of the Transcendental Blues tour--he played for more than three hours.

the length of the show was not a problem. and his playing was fine, as such. it's just that what came out of his mouth when not playing was so unpleasant that it tainted the music. I agree with probably 90 per cent of the political positions he was announcing. and I don't even mind some political or other discussion at a concert. earle's was just painfully simplistic and full of hatred. he seemed like the type of guy that would make a great leftist dictator. and his interaction with alison moorer, his now-wife, made a person squirm. she's half-decent by the way, but save your money to see her sister shelby lynne whenever she tours again. that's a goddamn good time.

saw him in Amsterdam in 2004 and the show was fantastic. He is the genuine article and if that's abrasive too bad.

he's a genuine buffoon.

Seen him many times. Since 9/11 and Iraq he has deliberately assumed the "voice of the disenfranchised" and is too foused on being anti the current admininistration to connect (in concert) with anyone but the "impeach bush" crowd. That being said, he can pick a guitar and has a great back catalog which I think makes it worth it to sit through the BS. Solo shows should be good.

p.s. Train a Comin is pretty close to a perfect album, and is the high water mark of his acreer.

I've seen Earle several times over the years and the last one made me swear off ever seeing him again - that was 4 or 5 years ago at the Fillmore in SF - although I still listen to the albums. His self-righteous babble is just way too over the top. He's too simplistic to be taken seriously as a political voice and too humorless to be entertaining. Oh yes, and as previous posters have noted, he's downright mean-spirited (and I'm painfully liberal in my own political views).

Maybe its because I grew up in a poorish, cynical family with a healthy distrust of authority figures, but I think Steve's comments come from a genuine place, angry definitely, but its what has fueled his career, I am sure he'd be the first person to say He Ain't Satisified, with the government, with life maybe. and that seems unwavering in his lyrics and opinions and lifestyle. Hes a true renegade in life and hes a unique songwriter Hes certainly not completely eloquent at articulating opinions through his stories, but thats where his staggering ability to define his dissatisfaction with the human experience through songwriting comes in.. Cut the guy a break, don't expect sugar-coating or even totally refined opinions, if he had them, he wouldn't be the incredible artistic talent he is, he'd be a political pundit.

Saw his second set at the blue note last night, and it was amazing. Weird crowd of people who clapped politely throughout, not sure they knew how to act being it was Steve Earle playing at a JAZZ club and they were too busy eating cheeseburgers. I'd totally go again tonight if i didn't have to it in that overpriced club.

Maybe its because I grew up in a poorish, cynical family with a healthy distrust of authority figures, but I think Steve's comments come from a genuine place, angry definitely, but its what has fueled his career, I am sure he'd be the first person to say He Ain't Satisified, with the government, with life maybe. and that seems unwavering in his lyrics and opinions and lifestyle. Hes a true renegade in life and hes a unique songwriter Hes certainly not completely eloquent at articulating opinions through his stories, but thats where his staggering ability to define his dissatisfaction with the human experience through songwriting comes in.. Cut the guy a break, don't expect sugar-coating or even totally refined opinions, if he had them, he wouldn't be the incredible artistic talent he is, he'd be a political pundit.

Saw his second set at the blue note last night, and it was amazing. Weird crowd of people who clapped politely throughout, not sure they knew how to act being it was Steve Earle playing at a JAZZ club and they were too busy eating cheeseburgers. I'd totally go again tonight if i didn't have to it in that overpriced club.

Steve is honest and forthright in his convictions. I don't blame him a damn bit for being pissed off about the current state of the country and the world. Try to understand that his frustrations are genuine and therefore come from an emotional place. When people are emotional they may not always be the most persuasive or compelling in their arguments. Also, know that he does not intend to direct anger at his audience, I suppose he views his shows as a collective cathartic experience. What infuriates me the most is that more musical artists aren't willing to get up off their asses and speak their mind with such atrocities going on daily. Kudos to Steve for having the guts to stand up and speak out for what you believe :).
C

people offended by the combo of music and politics are you kidding me? wher have you been for the entire history of music?

I was just trying to find out if Steve was coming to the UK this year and stumbled across these comments. I've seen him 6 or 7 times, mainly with the Dukes, and those concerts have been among the very best I've been to over around 40 years of concert-going! However, when I see those words 'solo acoustic' (or, even worse, 'and family') I avoid him like the plague! Come on Steve, come back to Shepherds Bush with the Dukes one more time - please!!

i heard he is playing in Wales next week,anybody know where?cheers jimmy

Steve's at Dolgellau festival on Friday night.

I'm sure that some of these people raging against a man and his words would be the first to espouse the benefits of path-paving groups like the Sex Pistols and Nirvana for pushing boundaries and waking people up. God for bid we talk about the state of our world and share views rather than having some performer spit on me, tell me I'm a maggot or leap into the crowd on top of my head. What's with the phobia about talk? And I can't help but giggle at those who say "he seems angry". Sigh... there's a lot to be angry about. Discussion is not a bad thing. Musicians have always provoked thought, it you want mindless blather go see Britney.

i just saw steve earle in birmingham jan 29th 08 what a self-righteous prick who the fuck does he think he is. his music is good but his ideas on things are way of the mark. come over hear talking about england or about his views he should try living his views i.e. get rid of his money get a crap job live in a crap area were the crime is 50% ester European caused. just the other day there was a attempted child kidnapping just out side the school down the street, live that for a wile steve then see if you talk your shit and sing city of immigrants the fucking tool ye its nice to talk nice but you got to be realistic some times and this guy lives on a fucking cloud. he should not talk about nothing he dont know about. he is clearly a self inflated arrogant prick talking about job situations and stuff i dont know how is is in the u.s.a but england is a little place and its crammed with the scum of the earth at the moment.