Steve Earle - Train a Comin'

Steve Earle's first record after emerging from artistic struggles, prison, and addiction, 1995's Train A-Comin' finds an artist starting from scratch and returning to the very basics of his musical vision. The low-key, charming, all-acoustic support comes from veterans Peter Rowan, Norman Blake, and Roy Huskey, while Earle's original material dates as far back as 1974--he wrote "Mercenary Song," he notes, while still working at Ciraco's Pizza. The mix of covers--Beatles, Townes Van Zandt, and the "Jamaican hillbilly" of "Rivers of Babylon" (with Emmylou Harris chiming in)--proves he had one primary listener in mind: himself. With no expectations thrust upon him, no labels involved, and very few at the time bothering to listen, Earle mined a raw gem. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com essential recording

hear them tracks a' hummin'

"Train a' Comin'" is the type of album that, after you listen to it, you're just left going, "Wow!" and although there are some super-catchy songs (most notably "Sometimes She Forgets,") it really takes a few listens to really completely love this record, or to at least fully appreciate it.
Pretty much everyone I've played this for has the same reaction--it changed them. I've learned more about songwriting from listening to this album than from any other record in my collection, save for my Townes Van Zandt and Hank Williams albums. Speaking of Townes, I often wonder what he thought of Steve's efforts, particularly this record. For those who don't know, Steve was Townes' protege back in the '70s when Mr. Earle was just a skinny kid bumming around Austin and later Nashville, tugging at the coattails of the likes of Townes, Jerry Jeff and Guy Clark. Of course, since Steve learned songwriting at the foot of the greatest songwriter who ever lived, it's easy to see why he became such a fantastic and important songwriter. Steve covers Townes' masterful "Tecumseh Valley" in such a heartfelt way that it comes close to making me favor it over the version on Townes' "Our Mother the Mountain," but I did write "almost."
If you have the properly sequenced version of this album (the one that begins with "Mystery Train No. II,") then you are in for a heck of a ride that does not stop in its amazing quality. Many of these songs, like "Mercernary Song" and "Tom Ames' Prayer" date back to Steve's early days of songwriting, and it is astonishing to me how he wrote such lyrics at such a young age, but then again, he was hanging out with Townes, so I guess that explains it.
Truly one of the most touching recordings you'll ever hear. Take my word for it.
From one Texas songwriter to another: Steve Earle, my friend, your work never ceases to amaze or inspire me.
-chris edwards July 20, 2008

Essential Earle

I am a rockn grandma whose favorite songwriter/singer is Steve Earl. This is my 3 year old grandson's favorite CD. He likes to get on the dining room table to sing and dance to Steve. The boy is aquiring a sophisticated musical ear so he will never be seduced by musical pablum. April 4, 2008

Best of the Best

One of my fav Earle albums, recorded during the heavy drug phase of his carrier. A great singer song writer by todays or yesterdays standards to be sure. Steve Earle is one of the last true great american artists still putting out records and touring. Get it and you wont be dissapointed. March 17, 2008

Earle's best.

This is by far the best and most cogent of Earle's albums. All the songs are stripped down to their essence, the lyrics are top notch and Earle's voice never sounded better - reassured yet fragile, tobacco and alcohol ravaged, full of sadness and regret.

This is the kind of album that belongs in the library of people who like Springsteen's "Nebraska", "Ghost of Tom Joad" and "The Seeger Sessions", The Pogues' "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash" and "If I Should Fall From Grace of God", Johnny Cash's prison records, Bob Dylan, CCR, Hank Williams and others of this ilk. If you like any of the above buy this record and you shan't regret it.

Also do yourself a favor, buy "Galway Girl" off Earle's "Transcendental Blues" record, and when you rip this CD, add it to the track listing and re-burn. It fits this CD with uncanny naturalness.

Aside from "Train 'a Coming" the other one to own is the one he recorded with the DelMcoury band - that one's got more of a hoe down feel to it, but the musicians are top notch and Earle phones nothing in. October 28, 2007

One of the greatest albums of all time

I have to agree with B. Morris. He (or she?) is not exaggerating and neither am I - this is one of the greatest albums ever made. I would put it into my top 20 or even top 10. No matter how many times I listen to it, I never seem to get sick of it. This is timeless, simple, honest roots music. "Mercenary Song" is an absolute gem. It's such an uplifting song...it's like a breath of fresh air...as if an exclamation mark is at the end of every line. Just when the world thought Mr. Earle was finished, he gives us this. Talk about a come back...
May 17, 2007

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