Steve Earle/Jerry Jeff/New West
Four out of Five Stars
His insurgent attitude aside, Steve Earleās never been remiss when it comes to offering a nod to those artists and friends who have left their influence on him throughout his career. Two albums containing songs written by pals of his that have passed onāTownes Van Zandt and Guy Clark specificallyāoffer tributes to early compatriots and collaborators. With Jerry Jeff, he completes a trifecta in tribute paying homage to Jerry Jeff Walker, a singer/songwriter who was one of the first artists to help popularize the genre that came to be known as āoutlaw country,ā a style Earle himself embraced early on.Ā
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Heās decidedly used it to his advantage, especially as far as his own standards, those that includeĀ āGuitar Town,ā āI Aināt Ever Satisfied,ā āCopperhead Road,ā āThe Revolution Starts Now,ā and āTranscendental Blues,ā among them.Ā A three-time American Grammy Award winner and inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame affirms the fact that heās learned his lessons well.
In fact, Jerry Jeff fits seamlessly with Earleās now signature style, as underscored by the fact that the opening track āGettinā Byā is preceded by his spoken introduction; āHi buckaroos, Steve Earle againā¦ā the attitude is synonymous as well, especially when it comes to songs such as āI Makes Money (Money Donāt Make Me),ā āHill Country Rainā and the tune Walkerās best known for, āMr. Bojangles,ā which Earle delivers with a gruff sort of growl, belying the tender tone shared in any number of earlier renditions.
Thatās not to say Earle opts to negate sentiment entirely. āLittle Birdā and āMy Old Manā are flush with tender tones, and even āCharlie Dunn,ā though celebratory in its stance, canāt disguise the affection Earle obviously feels for the character name-checked in the title.
As a result, Jerry Jeff serves the purpose well by turning the spotlight on an artist that deserves greater attention within the Americana arena. Earleās effort to share his songs will hopefully contribute to that added appreciation.
Photo by Danny Clinch/Mixed Media Works