Customer Reviews

Hardcore Troubadour: The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Steve Earle chose to dive into the fires of hell at a young age. Before the age of 30 he had tried just about every drug under the sun and was a hardcore heroin addict. What's amazing is that Steve managed to do all this, still write amazing albums and perform and tick off everyone who cared for him in the process. Such is the life of a drug addict.

St. John's often unflattering biography (written with Earle's co-operation and input from friends, family members and former friends and business associates)captures this dynamo in action; he knew from the start what type of songs he wanted to write and record. It was always a matter of finding someone that would let him do it. The same thing goes for his drug abuse. He managed to go down for the third time and still save himself. He also managed to alienate just about anyone that cared for him without any insight into his immoral and reckless behavior.

Luckily, the same insight that allows him to inhabit the characters of his often heartbreaking songs, eventually allowed him to see himself for what he was; a junkie wielding his needle like a bulldozer and rolling everyone and everything he cared about. He still disagrees with some of his former associates, lovers, wives (he's been married 4 times and had two children out of wedlock)but he's just as apt to turn that critical eye on himself and attack his own behavior in the past.

He's still an amazing writer and performer. Unlike his mentor Townes Van Zant, Earle managed to recapture his life before his self destructive behavior took too much of a physical toll (the best quote from Earle--"If I thought I'd live this long I would have taken better care of myself" applies to him as much as to Van Zant). He just managed to finally capture the demons driving him, bottle them up and put them on the shelf for display in his songs. They'll always threaten to break out but at least he has a place to put them where they'll do less harm to him and others.

He could be (and sometime still is) an awful person to those he loves. Fortunately, he recognizes the addictive behavior that drove him for so long and drove those around him away. Hardcore Troubador is a harrowing but irrestible read--just like the very drugs that almost destroyed Earle.

By now, anyone with even a passing interest in "alternative country" has heard of Steve Earle and his womanizing, heroin shooting, crack smoking past. What people may not have heard about are the details. Lauren St. John lays them bare in this book, courtesy of the people who have befriended him, loved him, supported him and in most cases been thrown by the wayside by him. Earle recounts his past with the sheepish humor of a kid who's just been caught stealing the neighbor kid's bike. Personally, I'm a huge fan of his music and like many, think he is one of the most brilliant American songwriters ever. His knack for lyrical detail, gritty melodies and broad musical range are the stuff of legend. Having said that, he just doesn't sound like a real nice guy. But hey, how many of your heroes are? One could argue that nobody is a nice guy in the grip of crack and heroin addiction, and at times, Earle most certainly was not. The thing that disturbed me, however, was that even after recovery Earle still did not seem very remorseful about his treatment of former business associates, not to mention wives and family members. Again, one could argue that the past is the past, as Earle himself is inclined to do, but it seemed that some of the people who tried to help him even as he destroyed himself, such as John Dotson, were not given proper credit or respect. Earle's assertion that he "doesn't buy into" sister Stacey's version of events in the last days of his addiction just smacks of arrogance and unfairness. Besides, who are you going to believe, the crackhead or the sweet caretaking sister? Nonetheless, Hardcore Troubadour is a fascinating, well written biography . Despite all the misery, such as the gut-wrenching "Vacation in the Ghetto" sequence, many of Earle's antics are downright hysterical. One particular Christmas "homecoming" comes to mind. With or without drugs though, Earle obviously has a kind heart and is extremely generous to those he loves, especially in the area of finances. He is immensely talented, super intelligent and kind of bonkers in an endearing sort of way. Like myself, you may come away from this book all the more impressed that he is currently making the best music of his career, and not so impressed at how many people had to suffer for it.

Steve Earle is emerging as the talent many critics and fellow musicians predicted he would become years ago, before his battle with The Big H almost killed him. I, for one, am glad to see Earle's continued evolution through songs and books. This book's only flaw is one I can forgive if not completely overlook: the author's obviously deep love for her subject. Her praise for Earle is a little over-the-top, albeit she does temper it with detailed reporting about his failures as a father and husband (hell, for that matter as a boyfriend!), as a performer and a bandleader. If you like your stories told with honesty and truth, you'll love this book. I did.

Not much can be said about the book that hasn't been said in the other reviews you will find here. The insight into this fascinating man's life is invaluable. His struggles and his triumphs make the everyday things we face seem small. And the boy can flat out write a song, too! But...and there is always a but...I think the publisher of this book must have had a copyeditor's strike. While it did not detract from the effect of the book, the glaring errors and typos did distract this reader. Twice, not once but two times, the author refers to the rock band Tesla as Tessler. Does the publisher not have anyone available to research and proofread a detail like this? There were other mistakes, that with a careful copyeditor, would have been caught. The rambling "And then this happened...and then this happened" style was appropriate to the rambling life of Steve Earle. My high school English teacher, however, would have given this manuscript back to Ms. St. John and her publisher and reminded them that their audience pays a lot of money to read well-edited books.

I know I am nit-picking...otherwise, I buzzed through this book in two nights. Great read, highly recommended.

I'm buying copies of this book for each of our kids - to show them one path through life they shouldn't even consider walking down. Steve Earle's life story isn't really all that new. Other artists, including numerous musicians have had difficulty with drug addiction following bouts with success in their craft. But Earle's story is nonetheless chilling and at times painful to absorb. The facts come crashing down like broken glass, leaving the reader to ponder just how Mr. Earle managed to survive THAT disaster.

I gave this book four stars and in terms of literary quality, that is a generous rating. I agree with reviewer Dale Miles's conclusion that a skilled editor could have helped significantly with the writing quality. To be more specific, I'd have enjoyed a more in-depth analysis of Earle's music and of the music that inspired him. I'd like to know more about his philosophical and political beliefs - simply put, I'm sure more flesh could have been put on the bones of this story.

Aside from those criticisms, I must admit that I'm hearing Steve Earle's music from a new perspective now. Back in real time, I'd heard of his addictions and of his battles with the music industry, but the numerous hard-luck stories revealed within Hardcore Troubador have a cumulative effect on the reader. Now, when I think about how I reacted to his weathered appearance at the Johnny Cash CMT tribute event, it all makes more sense. Earle's life episodes have certainly given him the blues and folk foundation from which he has drawn to create beautiful art, but I pity the man for what he's lived through in order to produce it.

Steve Earle does everything "hardcore," or at least he did. Nothing about his life has been mundane. Earle becomes bored very easily. Earle's quote, "I have a low tolerance for mediocrity in life and music. I'm into pain and joy, and the inbetween doesn't interest me." This book reads like fiction. It doesn't delve deeply into the psyche of Earle; I'm not sure that's possible. But, it does chronicle the many rises and falls in Earle's life. Earle's hedonism, egotism and wanderlust permeate this book. Earle is a walking contradiction; gives his heart to you one day, and breaks it the next. I recommend this book for those who enjoy the extremes of life.

With so many unauthorized and even authorized bios out there about talentless and useless "celebrities" I am so glad to a see a book that finally gives due to a true artist, someone with actual, measurable talent - Steve Earle. With complete subjectivity - I must admit I am a huge fan of Steve Earle. I have been so since his first album, Guitar Town. Since then I have "re-found" Mr. Earle's work over the last 5-6 years. With each album that he puts out he tends to raise the bar slightly higher. But the bar he raises is his own, one that only he must reach and overcome. His bar is not one that can easily be reached by too many artists. This book covers not only the artistry of the man, not just the music but what drives the lyrics behind the music. If you are a fan of Mr. Earle's music then this is a must-buy. If are only a passing fan or someone who is slightly interested in the man, the genere of his music (which is hard to define) or just looking for some insight into the creative mind - then I hight recommend you buy this book.

Steve Earle is a remarkable man who has led a remarkable life. He has pushed the boundaries of country music making more than half a dozen excellent albums, relentlessly chasing his muse at the expense of his relationships with his family, wives (married six times to five different women) and children, he has overcome a serious drug problem (so serious it nearly killed him), he has been to prison, he has been a political activist fighting against the death penalty.

Apart from the short prologue (which hints at the drug problems to come), the book is written in a strict chronological structure, chronicling his childhood in small town Texas, his song writing apprenticeship at the feet of Townes Van Zandt (a good teacher but a bad influence) and Guy Clark, the creation of his early groundbreaking albums against the background of his serious relationship with heroin and his many marriages, his descent into personal hell under the weight of his drug addiction and his time in prison before he emerges, clean, to re-launch his musical career making even better music, becoming more active in protests against the death penalty, finding love again and starting to try to resolve his relationships with his children.

The biggest problem author, Lauren St John, faced was how to do justice to such a complex character who has led such rich (and difficult) life in a little less than 400 pages. There is so much information to include that it sometimes makes it difficult to paint of picture of the man himself. Within the constraints of the genre, St John has done a very good job indeed. What emerges is an immensely driven and complex man who has led a tempestuous life - he is apparently hugely charismatic and charming but also clearly a difficult man to deal with and at times, self-destructive. This book does not view Earle through rose-tinted glasses it is often brutally honest about his failings and his behaviour (particularly during the darkest days of his drug addiction) - as such it sometimes makes unpleasant and depressing reading. However, in many ways it is a tale of redemption through creativity and as such is optimistic and uplifting. It also helps that Earle has a great talent for the memorable one-liner, some of which had me collapsing in laughter.

There is one caveat: the book is not finished. It finishes with the Guitar Town reunion tour before Jerusalem was released, so the controversy provoked by that album and in particular the John Walker's Blues is not covered. However, this is a minor caveat; this is still an excellent book and well worth reading (particularly if you are a fan of his music).

Great read for a music bio. Tragedy & triumph. Ranks up there with Stevie Ray Vaughn's Bio by Potaski & crawford and other great music bios. Real lives, real drama.
An incredible artist to boot.
Highly recommend it.

He's had a hell of a life and he hasn't always been a hell of a guy...but he remains one of the most prolific, talented, and dogged songwriters around. I haven't stopped listening to Steve Earle since I've finished reading this book and his book of short stories.

He's worked hard to maintain his unique voice and his activism. This biography gets underneath all his songs - placing his music in the context of his life. I highly recommend this book, and his music.