The Y! Music Playlist Blog

Steve Earle Side Projects

By | The Y! Music Playlist Blog – Mon, Sep 24, 2007 2:33 PM EDT

Steve Earle is one of a few decidedly liberal, and vocal, political activist country singers working today. And he's seen his fair share of trouble.

Earlier in his career he drew comparisons to Bruce Springsteen and showed great promise. In the early 1970's he moved to Texas where he fell in with Townes Van Zandt, Nanci Griffith, Lucinda Williams and Jerry Jeff Walker.  In 1975, Steve moved up to Nashville and met Guy Clark who helped him get a songwriting gig for a division of RCA. This playlist begins with "Desperados Waiting For A Train" from Guy Clark's first album. If you listen closely, you'll hear Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris singing background vocals.

Later, Steve released some rockabilly stuff under his own name, but it wasn't until 1986 that his first proper album for MCA called Guitar Town hit the streets.  It sold 300,000 copies and Mr. Earle was on his way.

After two more critically acclaimed albums, Exit 0 and Copperhead Road, his heroin addiction took control and he didn't record for two years. Rock bottom came after he ended up in jail on drug and firearm charges. Steve Earle could have faded into obscurity, but he kicked the habit while behind bars and used the experience to build upon his outlaw country mystique. After his release from the bighouse he recorded two albums within 18 months. One of these, the acoustic Train A Comin' was nominated for a Grammy Award and is considered by many to be one of the best of his career. Since the, Steve hasn't looked back and has released a slew of consistently great records, and continues to be a force in music.

This playlist examines side projects that Steve Earle has been involved with over the course of his turbulent career.

 

The Playlist:

1. Desperados Waiting For The Train - Guy Clark

2. Sunday Morning Coming Down - Kris Kristofferson

3. Love Is Never Equal - Jill Sobule

4. Serves Me Right - Garrison Starr

5. Car Wheels On A Gravel Road - Lucinda Williams

6. Rednecks - Steve Earle

7. I'll Change For You - Rosanne Cash

8. Judas Kiss - Eric Ambel

9. Goodbye - Emmylou Harris

10. Shame On You - Indigo Girls

11. Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos) - Nanci Griffith

12. You're So Cool - Patty Loveless

13. Lone Star Blues - Delbert McClinton

14. Good Ol' Boy (Gettin' Tough) - Confederate Railroad

15. Young Country - Hank Williams, Jr.

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