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Earle performs songs of protest in front of huge FAC crowd
By Art Bamford
Staff writer
FILE PHOTO
The robust Earle shares his political views through song.
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Despite the blizzard-like conditions Tuesday night, Steve Earle was still able to pack the Fine Arts Center. Unfortunately, the majority of Tuesday’s audience appeared to be made up of middle-aged people instead of students.
The show began promptly at eight with opening act Garrison Starr. Starr’s style was strikingly similar to Earle’s, which made her a well-chosen opener but her songs and band were mediocre at best. Luckily her fantastic voice and amiable personality managed to win over the defrosting audience in time for Earle and his band, the Dukes, to take the stage.
Although the pudgy curmudgeon that is Earle may not be much to look at, he is a well-respected artist who has often been compared to Bob Dylan for his poetic lyrics and musical style, which is strongly rooted in American musical traditions.
Like Dylan, Earle has always used his albums and performances as a platform to discuss political issues important to him; such as the death penalty which was discussed Tuesday.
On his latest album “Jerusalem” (which Tuesday night’s show was in support of) Steve Earle gained some notoriety for several controversial songs dealing with the state of affairs in this country after September 11. Earle’s stance was clear before the show even began thanks to three large signs reading: “No Iraq War” (subtle huh?).
The band began with a string of surprisingly edgy and upbeat songs that brought to mind artists like Neil Young, Bob Seeger, and Tom Petty, to name a few. Several songs into the set a woman in the audience pleaded, “We can’t hear the vocals, Steve!”
Deciphering an artist’s lyrics through a thundering sound system isn’t always necessary, but when the singer has Earle’s gift with words it is of the utmost importance. I can’t say for sure whether adjustments were made, but the vocals were clear and understandable from that point on.
It seemed like a number of people in the audience were also interested in examining some of the notorious material from “Jerusalem,” namely, “John Walker Blues.” This particular song was the source of most of the controversy surrounding Earle’s last album. In it, Earle attempts to get inside the mind of the American-turned-Taliban John Walker Lindh and see why he would join the regime.
Whether the audience understood or agreed with the song is unclear, but like all of Tuesday’s material, it was met with a warm and respectful response.
As the show continued I found myself listening specifically to the lyrics more than the music. Although Earle’s songs are well crafted and incorporate a number of styles ranging from Celtic to country into a sort of Americana rock, there was little difference between the show’s emotional high and low points.
Earle’s band, the Dukes, executed each song with precision, but lacked the personality and style of many great bands. I certainly didn’t expect synchronized dancing or pyrotechnics, but variety and charisma both in the set list and performers themselves was in short supply, making the show drag on mid-set.
This dull energy may very well have been a reflection of the weary audience who had to battle the elements to get to the show. Overall I can’t say the performance suffered for it, however.
Most of the people in attendance had no problem sitting back and appreciating Earle’s skillfully crafted songs and genuine, artfully articulated political opinions.
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