JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE

The Good Life

2008-03-25

Poor guy. Son of Steve Earle and named after Townes Van Zandt. Doomed. And he was, early on, mirroring his dad's early flame out. But what we have here is personal, not political. Self-effacing, not self-aggrandizing. And amid all the famous people he's supposed to be, or to emulate, one reviewer mentions Hoagy Carmichael, the great jazz pianist and songwriter -- and I like that analogy here. Not because the songs are jazz-related, but because JTE's languid delivery of these mostly alt-country tunes bring Hoagy to my mind and ears (in fact, the bouncy "South Georgia" really cements the image). The record company touts the early songs of this set ("Who Am I to Say" does sound like the old man), but I think the record gets better as it progresses, with some gems near the finale. Well done, son. 03/08 MJVD F-Alt Country

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 02/2016

    On and On
    And The Wave Has Two Sides

  • reviewed 04/2008

    Yael Naim and David Donatien
    Yael Naim

  • reviewed 03/2011

    RON SEXSMITH
    Long Player Late Bloomer

  • reviewed 04/2009

    BRUCE COCKBURN
    SLICE OF LIFE

  • reviewed 05/2010

    KRISTY HANSON
    Into the Quiet

  • reviewed 02/2012

    LINDA CHORNEY
    Emotional Jukebox (2-CD Set)

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.