Steve Earle - Transcendental Blues

halo 'round the man

I just listened to this today for the first time in a few years; I'd forgotten how great an album it is.
I've been a follower of Steve Earle's career since his first New York City shows, at the old Lone Star, in the mid-eighties. Saw him again as the opening act for Bob Dylan, and again at a rally outside the Republican convention in 2004. I always try to catch his rare TV appearances. I'm a fan of his radio show. I have all the albums, and they're all exceptional. It's like being asked to pick your favorite child, but for me, "Trancendental Blues" is his greatest achievement. At about the point this afternoon when "I Don't Want To Lose You Yet" faded into "Halo 'Round the Moon", I was reminded again of this simple fact: If anyone has made a better record since, I haven't heard it.
He's one of the truly underrated greats.
November 15, 2007

Listen to the words, not the noise.

Are any of those one-star reviewers actually listening to the words? I can't believe the number of interesting songs on this. (And no, I'm not a raving Earle fan. I like him, but I don't assume I'm going to like everything he, or any of my other favorite musicians, records.) The music is not subtle--lots of drums and heavy guitar--so if you're looking for more typical singer/songwriter fingerstyle guitar, etc., this ain't it. You've been warned. He's not in the same family as John Prine or Jimmy Dale Gilmore or the rest. October 11, 2007

transcends easy categorization

Earle continues his exploration of loves won, lost and longing as well as fables, road tunes, blue grass and a heartfelt perspective from death row executioning.
Any fan will appreciate Steve's forays into world sounds.
This is a must have. Don't miss out. January 10, 2007

One of his very best and one of this decades best

His best since El Corazon and one of this decades best. You can't go wrong with this one if you are already a Steve Earle fan. August 24, 2006

For the Fences

I love performers who follow their own path no matter what. Lucinda Williams,Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle are the best current examples of this admirable quality.
This group swings for the fences,no compromises.As a result recordings that are unpredictable and unique and sometimes uneven characterise their work.
This cd covers so much ground it took me monthes to get a handle on it. It still feels like three seperate discs.
Still,it contains some of Steve's best work.Every emotion is here.Heartbreak,rage,teen angst,love,hate,sorrow.loss...all from a great story-teller who,trust me, has experianced them all by the truckload.
Give him a shot,this is one of those RARE recordings that offers you more with each listening. April 25, 2006

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