CD of the Week February 25-March 3, 2001

Steve Earle

Trancendental Blues

E Squared

Since I wrote my Best CDs of 2000 list, two of my friends have asked me what I was thinking when I didn’t include Trancendental Blues on my list. The answer is simply that I hadn’t fully digested the music on this disc at the time I wrote my reviews. So just so there is no confusion, now that I have been able to fully appreciate the CD, I can safely say that I believe that Trancendental Blues is another masterpiece by Steve Earle.

I say another masterpiece because Earle has been on quite a streak since he got out of jail. Starting with the all acoustic Train a Comin’ (1995) and continuing though I Feel Alright (1996), El Corazon (1997), and The Mountain (1999), there is no doubt that Steve Earle is on a roll. Earle is often categorized as a country artist, but that is much too limiting. His style encompasses facets of country, but also includes heavy doses of folk, rock and bluegrass. He might be the best singer-songwriter today. Take for instance the song, "The Boy Who Never Cried". In my opinion it is a nearly flawless song in everyway. Melancholy, thought provoking lyrics intermingle with beautiful spare instrumentation including harmonium, bouzouki and a small string section. It has a vaguely Beatle-esque feel to it and I think that is no accident. This is the kind of song that the Beatles excelled at in their prime. In fact the shadows of albums like Revolver and Rubber Soul hang heavy over this album. "Everyone’s in Love With You" even has a fake ending and fade out that is right out of the Beatles bag of tricks.

Of course the Beatles were never this twangy. Steve voice is a gravely thing of beauty. He has done jail time and lived the rambling outlaw life so he can sing and write about it with a sense of legitimacy few can. I particularly like "Steve’s Last Ramble" about the unique perils of the road and full of characters like Highway Dave and Southside Sue. Another standout track is "Over Yonder (Jonathan’s Song)" which Steve wrote about a deathrow inmate he befriended.

The whole disc is nicely produced. The title track has a nice almost Indian sound to it that again recalls the Beatles. Several tracks were recorded in Ireland and feature local musicians who add an Irish feel to those tracks. Other notable guests included Steve’s sister, Stacey Earle on "When I Fall" and Tim O’Brien on "Until the Day I Die".

Earle’s songs are often rough, but always contain heartfelt sentiments. He words put you right into the story that is being told in the song whether it is about a hobo or a Galway girl.