Washington Square Serenade [Import]

It's been 3 years since Steve Earle released a new studio album. In that time, George W. Bush has been reelected, Steve got married again to the beautiful Allison Moorer, and he packed up his Nashville paraphernalia and moved to the city. New York City, to be exact. In fact, if you don't already know it, Steve now resides on the same block so famously pictorially memorialized on the cover of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, and it's very clear from listening to him that he takes the spirit of Greenwich Village very seriously and very much to his corazón.

With all that in mind, Steve's new gift to music is Washington Square Serenade, an album of 11 originals and 1 cover. Recorded in the famed Electric Lady studios, the album is different from his others by default, because as he says right in the bonus disc's interviews, he now "tests positive for ProTools." This is immediately apparent from the album's beginning, which has drum beats and samples throughout the 12 tracks. If you can get past the beats, you've got a pretty darn good album ahead of you.

The album begins with Steve's farewell to Nashville, "Tennessee Blues." Personally, I think the acoustic-only version is better (more on that later), but the lyrics are downright beautiful--"Blue dog on my floorboard, redhead by my side, cross the mighty Hudson River to the New York City side. Redhead by my side, boys, sweetest thing I've found. Goodbye, Guitar Town"--and a perfect goodbye to the place he used to call home. Next comes "Down Here Below," a mostly spoken-word song about the resident NYC red-tailed hawk Pale Male that is very reminiscent of the Drive-By Truckers' "A World of Hurt." Steve's voice is hypnotizing on it. "Satellite Radio" is probably one of the more hip-hop influenced tracks on the album, and the ProTools influence is very obvious on it. Steve sings about a radio DJ wondering about his prospects on satellite radio. Fairly catchy, but nothing too mind-blowing here. The fourth song is the first single off the album, "City of Immigrants." Steve performed it on the Late Show last month and it includes backing by the Brazilian group Forro In The Dark. This is Steve's non-aggressive answer to Lou Dobbs' views on immigration, and once it grows on you, the song is quite good.

Then comes the first love song of the album, "Sparkle and Shine." The song is very simple, very light-hearted, and very beautiful and is definitely a highlight of the album. Unfortunately it is followed by the throwaway track "Come Home to Me." This is a very sub-par Earle ballad that has been done many times before and much better. With the exception of some nice chord structuring during the bridge, this isn't one to get too excited about. "Jericho Road" is another barely-passable track. It's not necessarily bad, but compared to other tracks on the album and other songs that Earle has written, this doesn't do it. Think of the groove to "Telephone Road" from El Corazón (released 10 years ago, coincidentally), and then take out a lot of the fun and energy. This is basically a darker and less-interesting version of that song. "Oxycontin Blues" will immediately draw comparisons to "The Truth" from 2002's Jerusalem album. Combine that feel with the feel of 1996's "CCKMP" and you get the general idea of what this song sounds like as Steve sings about drug addiction (hence the comparison to "CCKMP").

"Red is the Color" takes things up a notch with some great harmonica blowing as Steve sings and yelps over a slow jam. Next come possibly the two finest songs on the album, "Steve's Hammer (for Pete)" and "Days Aren't Long Enough." The former is dedicated to folk pioneer/icon Pete Seeger, and lays Steve's political views right out front for the listener ("When the air don't choke you and the ocean's clean and the kids don't die for gasoline, one of the these days I'm gonna lay this hammer down"). The refrain is extremely catchy, and when it breaks out into a full sing-along chorus, it becomes even more infectious. Plan on turning this one up. The latter track was co-written by Steve and his wife Allison and is one of the most beautiful ballads/duets that Steve has released in the last several albums. It is simply a gorgeous song that is destined to become a classic Earle ballad. Finally, the album ends with Steve's version of Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole," which will also be used as the theme for the 5th and final season of The Wire in January. It's not a strong song to end on, as Steve's voice just doesn't really mesh too well with the song itself and the hip-hop-ish groove that he employed for it. A decent cover, but no more than that.

And finally, if you are trying to decide whether or not to buy the deluxe edition with the DVD, here's a breakdown of what you get: extensive interview footage of Steve talking about the album, his past, and the history of Greenwich Village; video footage of Steve discussing Dylan at the site of Dylan's first NYC gig, discussing the beauty and craftsmanship of an old 1966 Gibson guitar at a local music shop (and then jamming a little on the guitar), and discussing the vital importance of Washington Square Park to Greenwich Village; and 3 live acoustic performances of "Tennessee Blues," "City of Immigrants" (with Allison), and "Days Aren't Long Enough" (also with Allison). All told the DVD is about 38 minutes long. I mentioned earlier that I'd come back to the acoustic-only version of "Tennessee Blues." I found that when it was just Steve and an acoustic guitar and nothing else, the song was much more of an effective goodbye. You can judge this for yourself. Is it worth the extra money for you? I bought it, and I'm happy I did. It's worth watching. It's up to you whether that's the kind of thing you'll continue watching in the future or simply set inside its case and never pull out again.

Washington Square Serenade is by no means perfect, but there are enough great songs here to make this a worthy addition to any Earle fan's catalog. I can only hope that it won't be 3 years before he records another album, and that NYC will continue to supply him with inspiration for his musical passions.

Let me say...from the first song of "Guitar Town" ....oh those decades ago...I started a love/like relationship with Steve Earle. I love most all of Guitar Town..and since then I've loved many tunes and "I'm Allright" is an awesome album...IMHO. I listen to Steve Earle albums...WANTING to love them... and I did with this one. Steve is a true artist, tortured, talented and restless as any I've ever been aware of. I agree with another reviewer that "Tennessee Blues" is much better acoustic on the DVD than "produced" on the CD...some of the songs just have a "demo" feel to them with production values that don't seem well thought out. Bottom line..for me ...this sounds like a box of song demos found in his apartment after he dissapeared or worse and is being released without his permission.
All that said Stever Earle's "experiments" are better than 99.9% of the other songwriter/singers best ofs! I could live without his expletives printed in his liner notes directed at political commentators he doesn't agree with...and the next video they shoot I'd recommend keeping the camera off the top of his head....maybe the ZZTop Beard and Long hair have him fooled that he's not bald but its a ridiculous look IMHO. If you are a fan ...you pretty much have to take the journey...and the DVD certainly has some wonderful moments so I'd recommend that package. If you aren't a fan...get GUITAR TOWN, I'm Allright or The Definitive Collection and become one!

I heard a radio review just as Steve was leaving Nashville. He said after 20 plus years, TN was still too redneck for him--so he was leaving with his girlfriend for Greenwich Village.

Like most of Earle's songs, this CD reflects his thoughts and concerns with his own life and the world around him: "Tennessee Blues" reflects this trend:

Sunset in my mirror, pedal on the floor
Bound for New York City and I won't be back no more
Won't be back no more, boys won't see me around
Goodbye guitar town

"City of Immigrants" the somewhat overplayed single from this CD talks about his love for his new home:

Livin' in a city where the streets are paved
With good intentions and a people's faith
In the sacred promise a statue made
Livin' in a city of immigrants

Probably my favorite is "Steve's Hammer" which is a dedication to Pete. Catchy tune with a strong beat and message:

One of these nights I'm gonna sing a different tune
All night long beneath the silvery moon
When the war is over
And the union's strong
Won't sing no more angry songs
One of these nights I'm gonna sing a different tune

"Satellite Radio" is a reflection on the trends in broadcasting and one DJ's wondering whether anyone's listening to him or not.

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