Steve Earle Album: “Washington Square Serenade [Digipak]”

Only one thing was for certain leading up to the release of the first album of new material from Steve Earle in three years: It would be adorned with the similar eye catching, void of the Earle, cover artwork that has encompassed his CD covers for the last decade. I had several concerns that this could be the beginning of the end for Earle. First was an unprecedented post drug/penal three year hiatus from recording. Second, his last album, "The Revolution Starts Now" left no doubt that Earle's disheartened view of America and its politics had reached its Dante's Peak, which was emphasized by the Jim Morrison like spoken track, "The Warrior." Then there was the pre-publicity leading up to this album. He had transplanted himself to Greenwich Village, married again, this time to fellow singer/songwriter Allison Moorer, and said that at this time in his life, he needed to be able to look out his window and see a same sex, mixed race couple walking down the street holding hands and be ok with that. Not that any of this is good or bad, but just un-Earle like. So it was with apprehension that I gave the CD an initial spin. It took one listen to answer the question that, "ok, he hasn't totally lost his mind." And after a second listen, I realize he has created probably his finest work ever. He hasn't let marriage send his career into the lap-sucking whirlpool of toilet creativity like say, Clint Black did. He obviously has met up with some of the ghosts of Bob Dylan, but is not afraid of them, and he is apparently not quite ready to give up just yet. Tennessee Blues opens the album with a catchy percussion hiccup and clearly states the direction of the album, "goodbye guitar town." Down Here Below is a great metaphoric visual and a masterfully written piece. Satellite Radio will catch a lot of ears, and City of Immigrants shows off some Earle mandolin playing. Come Home To Me is classic heartbeat Earle. The emotion without the sap. Jericho Road may have fit well on the last album but fits just well here too. Oxycontin Blues and Red is the Color give the album some additional flavor not heard on previous Earle works. The Days Aren't Long Enough is a beautiful track with wife Allison Moorer, and Sparkle and Shine is a nice chick song as well. The disc is rounded out by the only song on the CD not written by Earle, a cover of Tom Waits' Way Down in the Hole.

Well worth the price is the deluxe version which offers a 35 minute DVD bonus which includes 3 bonus acoustic tracks and an Earle tour of Greenwich Village. This lends some keen insight to the album and shows a side of Earle not seen before.

Bottom line: A masterful work from a masterful singer songwriter. Look for this one to stay on the Ipod rotation `til . . . . well .... Probably Washington Square Serenade pt II.

It was with great anticipation that I looked forward to the release of Steve Earle's new album, Washington Square Serenade. After the first listen, I was initially disappointed, but subsequent listenings revealed more in the lyrics and music to make this project strike a resounding chord with me.

The album opens up with the track "Tennessee Blues", a sort of retrospective and look forward to the future at the same time. It's a solid opener. The CD quickly changes gears, moving on to "Down Here Below", a foot tapping tale of Steve's experiences and exploits in his new hometown. It's a masterful piece of songwriting from Earle, with excellent instrumentation and backing vocals from Alison Moorer.

The next track, "Satellite Radio", isn't as successful. It's got a driving beat, but the melody seems to drone on and on, never changing from the one or two notes that repeat throughout the song. Thankfully, the outstanding "City of Immigrants" appears next. This is the song Steve has been performing on various programs to promote Washington Square Serenade, and that was a good choice on his part, as it's one of the highlights of this album. Forro in the Dark provides excellent backing music.

Unfortunately, the next two tracks often sound boring and repetitive enough to lull you to sleep. But, no worries! "Jericho Road" is next, an outstanding track that sounds just like classic Earle. Well written, with a pounding beat and wailing harp.

But, following "Jericho Road" is, what I think, is the best track of the whole album. The "Oxycontin Blues". It opens up with clawhammer banjo, which continues throughout the song, with Earle lamenting about how "nothing grows on this mountain, and whats a poor boy to do", and how he's "headed nowhere but downhill with the oxycontin blues". Easily one of the best songs Steve Earle has ever written in my humble opinion.

This track is hard to follow, but "Red Is The Color" lives up to high standards. It's a rocker, with just a mandolin, harmonica, and a drum beat backing Steve's vocals. There's a lot of depth to the songs lyrics.

What follows is "Steve's Hammer", which ranks right next to "Oxycontin Blues" as far as lyrical and musical quality goes. Simply outstanding; Pete Seeger would be proud. Following is "Days Are Getting Longer", a duet with Alison Moorer, that, unfortunately, comes across nearly as boring as tracks 5 and 6. Well, at least we know Mr. Earle is deeply in love with his wife.

The closing track is a cover of Tom Waits "Way Down In The Hole". Steve sings it with emotion, and the at times bizarre backing music contributes much to the songs feeling. Perhaps it ties with "Oxycontin Blues" for the honor of best song. Perhaps it's too hard to decide what the best song is, but bottom line, in my opinion only, of course; 8 out of 12 songs are outstanding material, and that earns this project a three star rating from me.

Buy it; I think you'll like it. :)

Wow, Steve Earle recorded an amazing album. Okay, anyone who follows Steve can't be surprised by this. But the great thing is each album always has its own identity and this one is no different. The changes he has made in his life(moving to New York, Getting married to Allison Moorer) echo through the album and paint a great picture of where his life is going. From the "sequel" to Guitar Town(Tennessee Blues) to the stab at Lou Dobbs and the anit-immigrant movement (City of Immigrants), Steve as always creates songs that are very much his, but still feel new and fresh. My favorites were the already mentioned Tennessee Blues, the duet with wife Allison Moorer(Days Aren't Long Enough), and his song dedicated to Pete Seagar(Steve's Hammer) which really seems to define Steve and where he is at right now(plus how can you not like a song with a singing dog?). Fans of Steve Earle should get this, as should fans of just great songwriting.

Steve Earle will always be one of my favorite artists, but he isn't quite up to par on this CD. To say that he is a brilliant artist, poet, songwriter, and author is an understatement.

4.5 stars

"Take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. In the case of Steve Earle, you could amend that to say: You can take the reformed roots-rock rebel out of Nashville, and you can relocate him to the folk mecca of New York City's Greenwich Village. ." Matthew Fiander

What was it that moved the rock rebel to move to NYC from Nashville? Whatever it was, it spurred Steve Earle on to writing some brilliant songs and putting them to the test with this new CD. With this new CD we are now aware of his move to the big city and the big time. This CD has a feel of sleek city music that is bare and brilliant. Just Earle and his guitar and the drums.

There are 12 tunes, which tells the tale of the move from Nashville and Steve Earle's new life in NYC

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'Tennessee Blues' Earle talks about leaving Guitar Town. Although we know when he sings 'Goodbye, Guitar Town' he is not going back.

'Down Here Below'- this is a great song, full of lyrical poetry

'Satellite Radio'- a wonderful take on the new gig Earle has - that's right on satellite radio- a tune full of staccato music.

'City of Immigrants' musical take on the social and cultural diversity of NYC-this could be a hit song for Earle.

'Sparkle and Shine' Earle has written about his wife, Allison Moorer and how she sparkles and shines.

'Come Home To Me' a plaintiff wail of a man for his woman- lovely tune.

'Jericho Road'-= Joshua fit the battle- still walk in down the Jericho Road, the tough road of life.

'Oxycontin Blues' a family tale of a father and loss of his job and turn to alcohol and the son's turn to pills to relieve stress- poignant tale of today.

'Red Is The Color' Red sky the color of night- hard workin song of life.

'Steve;'s Hammer for Pete'- song of protest for Pete Seeger- will there ever come a day when he can lay this hammer down?

'Days Aren;t Long Enough' sung with Allison Moorer, a lovely ballad that seems just right.,

'Way Down In the Hole' "Walk with Jesus he is gonna save your soul, gonna keep the Devil down in the Hole"- one of Tom Waits great tunes.

Let the tunes tell the tale of this great CD.

'in a city of immigrants

I don't need to go travelin'

Open my door and the world walks in

Livin' in a city of immigrants

Livin' in a city that never sleeps

My heart keepin' time to a thousand beats

Singin' in languages I don't speak

Livin' in a city of immigrants

City of black

City of white

City of light

City of innocents

City of sweat

City of tears

City of prayers

City of immigrants " Steve Earle

Highly Recommended. prisrob 09-29-07

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