August 2, 2009 at 12:02pm
Steve Earle strode out onto the CMAC stage eager and unassuming, armed with a guitar and harmonica. The fact that the man was band-less disappointed me for about five seconds, until he ripped into his 45-minute set with a riveting intensity. His deceptive finger-style technique revealed the melodies and phrases from the absent instruments anyway. And his between-song banter was always accompanied by his rollicking guitar as well, so you never had the chance return to earth until he was done.
Typically Earle is about revolution and left-wing, fist-in-the-air indignation, but Saturday night was a beautiful songwriting showcase with the emphasis on Townes Van Zandt, Earle's Hero. He hit upon the master's "Pancho and Lefty" and shared Van Zandt's take on music. "There are two kinds of music," he said before launching into another tune. "The blues and zippity-do-da. And this ain't zippty-do-da."
It might have been zippity-do-da for more than a few people around me who flatly ignored Earle. Yuppy assholes and their cellphones, soccer moms, and men over 40 who wear loafers without socks could have used a dose of Earle, or at least a dose of shut-the-fuck-up while I got mine. But then again, these were Jackson Browne fans.
The 62-year-old Browne has clearly made a deal with the devil, as he still looks 25. I've never really been a fan per se, but he and his band (especially his incredible guitarist, Mark Goldenberg) served up a lush variety of hits and obscurities; pleasant but frankly a little boring. Sure, you can say I'm jaded, and you'd be right. But seriously, take Earle's "My Old Friend The Blues" (which he did) and put it next to "Doctor My Eyes"? Please.
YOU GUYS RULE! Awesome show, Awesome time, I LOVE seeing you guys get props <3 Stay sexy!
Lovin' me some Prickers! :-)
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about CONCERT REVIEW: RPO Swing Kings, Max Creek, The Prickers
Augustin Hadelich studied with JOEL SMIRNOFF at Juilliard.
Hello! It's been a while since I read such a, shall I say, shocking review. Shocking in its...
Comments for "CONCERT REVIEW: Jackson Browne and Steve Earle at CMAC" (10)
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Stephanie said on Aug. 02, 2009 at 2:55pm
All due respect to your comments of Jackson. Jackson will be 61 10/09/09, he was born 10/09/48.
Paula said on Aug. 03, 2009 at 12:27pm
Thank you hitting the nail on the head re: the crowd during Steve Earle. So many people up and down on beer runs and then the same people up and down during Browne for bathroom runs, talking on cell phones, checking texts. I'm sorry, but I didn't pay $55 to be distracted by a bromance in front of me, talking to each other every 5 seconds. Earle was great, Browne was OK, Browne's back up singers were great.
kurt gutzler said on Aug. 03, 2009 at 4:08pm
Real insightful review of one of the all-time greatest singer-songwriters of our generation. Obviously you have some kind of axe to grind. Steve Earle was okay and Browne and his band was amazing. You really hurt yourself with that 40 word review. Seems like you called one of your friends who went..."How was Steve Earle" "Awesome Man"..."How about Jackson Browne?" "He sucked." "Okay, thanks"
Next time do it right or don't do it at all. It's very disrespectful to an icon and me, his audience.
Rick said on Aug. 03, 2009 at 4:19pm
Your thoughts happen to my own.I have seen Steve 4 times now,2 each with band and solo acoustic.It was tough to have to share stage with another artist because I feel most were there to see Jackson Browne and they really did not give the respect that He deserves as a song writer and musician.I commented during the show to my wife about all the chatter and noise during his performance.Their lose I guess because they missed out in getting to know one of the great song writers and musical talents that fits into almost genre of music.
js said on Aug. 03, 2009 at 10:10pm
i went to the Sunday show in Camden and the same loud mouth ignorant beer drinking fools were there. It's the first time I've seen Steve Earle and I was pleasantly surprised. I very much enjoyed Jackson's 20 song set, if only I could hear between the discussions about trips to France with the family and the second and third homes at the Jersey shore.
Carla said on Aug. 04, 2009 at 12:15am
Like js, I went to the Camden show, and I was very upset with the disrespectful people sitting beside me. They came in in the middle of Steve Earle's set, and proceeded to talk to each other in extremely loud voices. After a few seconds of this, I turned to them and said, "Excuse me, but could you stop talking? Steve Earle is one of my favorite singers, and I can't even HEAR him". That shut them up. I am looking forward to the day when I can see Steve with people who appreciate him for the great singer/songwriter that he is.
rbur said on Aug. 04, 2009 at 6:58am
This is the most ridiculous review I have ever read! Steve Earle was the opening act. Get your priorities straight. Try doing a proper review of Jackson Browne next time. Personally I would have much preferred to see Mr. Browne cover more of his stunning catalog than trying to hear Steve Earle at all. His cursing was a bit much too - my 12-year old was counting them.
bill said on Aug. 04, 2009 at 7:15pm
Steve Earle usually does Copperhead Road for an encore. His stage hand went to give him a guitar and Earle refused, did Copperhead Road for his last song, and that was it. He was as tired of the rude crowd as my wife and I.
Jackson Browne played for 2 hours and did some old stuff along with the new. His band was solid, although the bass was overdone somewhat. The background vocals were real good. "Lives in the Balance" was awesome. Jackson sounded great and seemed totally relaxed in his music and with the band.
The crowd was the worst I've ever seen in forty years of concert-going. They looked like and acted like a bunch of rejects from the Canandaigua Wine Trail. They were there to watch and listen to themselves more than two great singer-songwriters. I would never return to this venue.
David said on Aug. 06, 2009 at 3:14am
Steve Earle is a legend in my book. As for the disrespect of some of the crowd....They have no taste.
sue said on Oct. 16, 2009 at 11:56am
Jackson is 61, not 62; his birthday was Friday, October 9.
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