Steve Earle Album: “Just an American Boy - The Audio Documentary”

I had the inmense pleasure and honor of taking in a Steve Earle and the Dukes show in West Palm Beach several months ago... The performance I attended was several notches better than the one recorded for this two-disc live album. For starters, that evening Steve played a set almost twice as long as the one included here, which featured all of these songs, plus (as far as I can remember): NYC, Hardcore Troubadour, Taneytown, Some Dreams, What's A Simple Man to Do?, Go Amanda, The Truth, and Some Day, plus a cover of the Youngbloods' burnt-out-hippie-classic Get Together. Additionally, Steve and his band were a little better that night, and the sound carried much better than it seemed to carry in the recorded performance. That, however, is not to say that this live album does not have its merits: Steve and the Dukes kick the stuffing out of several songs, most notably Ashes to Ashes, The Unrepentant, and the much-maligned John Walker's Blues. Anyways, compared to Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator, the concert with Guy Clark and Townes Van Zant, and the Trascendental Blues DVD, this recorded performance is, by far far far the best recorded live Steve Earle and the Dukes.

One other comment, specifically on John Walker's Blues... True, Steve over-simplifies matters a bit on this song, blaming hollow American culture on young John Walker Lindh's conversion to fundamentalist Islam. True, the tone of the song tends to be preachy. However: 1)those who want Walker executed for "treason" also over-simplify Walker's motives, as well as the motives of the political opposition here and abroad; and 2)even though it is not one of my favorites, musically, I do respect Steve's bravery in recording it and playing it live, night in and night out, often being booed and jeered by one or two clueless "fans" who go to his concerts expecting Toby Keith. I also respect his independence of judgement and his beliefs, and support his right to express them, not only as a huge fan of his, but also as a citizen of this nation.

In beginning this review, I'll paraphrase the old adage about the first amendment by saying that I don't agree with everything Steve Earle says on his new album "Just an American Boy," but sure do admire his courage in saying it. The title track of the album was Earle's controversial attempt to get inside the mind of John Walker Lindh, for which Earle was roundly and unfairly criticized in Dixie Chicks-style fashion by the radical right. Earle uses the song as the centerpiece of a double-live recording (and also a movie) in which he laments the current state of political affairs in America.

Like Howard Dean, Earle was an adamant opponent of the Iraq War from the very beginning, and as such he carries a lot of credibility. For some reason, it's become acceptable for flag waving morons like Charlie Daniels and Toby Keith to express their political views, but when serious-minded opponents of America's current unelected regime do it they are condemend.

A'men, brother.

hey kids!

this is the rawest raunchiest alternative southern country rock to hit the market in 20 years!

I use the word "kids" after reading some of the political rants on other reviews. kids who obviously have been brainwashed by the government and forced into domination by a brainwashed society.

the idea of America exists only in the minds of people.

the reality of America isn't the same.

Steve Earle expresses himself! - don't you?

in the end

Steve Earle Rocks!

and so does this live album........

This is a great document of Steve Earle's live show. Incredible songs...incredible words. However...the poor recording...lots of wow and flutter drops this from 5 stars to 3. I first listened to this CD yesterday in my car and thought something was wrong with my CD player. Got it home and played it on two other players...same lousy sound. This is probably the worse sounding SE CD I've ever heard.

If you walk around everyday, like I do, wondering what the hell happened to this country this CD will soothe your soul. It's raw, it's rough, and you can even dance too much of it. You'll laugh, cry, and pump your fist in the air. For the last month, I have been unable to extract this CD from my player. Steve's not asking for any special treatment. He's not trying to tell anyone how to live. He doesn't have all the answers, but what he does have is a profound sense of fairness and justice (two things sorely lacking in 21st century America). We, as a country, are fat and lazy and we love to blame the messes we create on everyone in the world but the United States. We should expect more from ourselves and our government. Steve's been down lower than most people and I've never heard him blame anyone but himself for his problems. He has seen a different America than most of us and I am glad he lived through it and continues to share his talent and experiences with us. Five Stars!