Customer Reviews

Live at the BBC

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

 

 

Along with Charlie Pickett and the Eggs, Steve Earle and the Dukes are America's fogotten rock heroes of the mid- to late 80s. Recorded a month before the release of Earle's rock masterpiece "Copperhead Road", in London's Town and Country Club before a beer-boosted crowd, this classic recording captures Earle and the Dukes at their raspy, raunchy best. Bucky Baxter's playing on pedal steel is amazing-- as touching as Ben Keith's work with Neil Young. The momentum on this thing builds like a freight train-- you're gonna' wanna be on board. I've been going to Steve Earle's Philly shows since the mid 80s when "Guitar Town" came out-- this CD brings all those amazing memories flooding back. If you love country... if you love rock N' roll... this is the real deal!

I'm a big fan of Steve Earle and the Dukes and I had the good fortune to see them during this tour. I looked at the song listings and bought it on the spot. Let me caution against doing that. Take advantage of the ability to sample each track on Amazon. The band sounds really tight, but Steve has a scratchy voice. He is obviously trying hard, but for the majority of these cuts his voice is just not up to snuff. I doubt that Steve would have approved of releasing this recording. It is probably another attempt of his former label to make the last bucks they can make on the "old" Steve Earle recordings. I would endorse The Austin City "live" set or the previously released live CD "Shut Up ..." Be cautious and investigate before you pay too much for this recording.

OK, I'll admit up front that I'm a huge Steve Earle fan, having purchased most, if not all, of his CDs. I've seen him live a couple of times, and will see him again if given the chance. This is an excellent CD of his early music, recorded live in England in 1987 and 1988. His interaction with the audience, and its appreciation of him, is palpable and brings out his best. The recording is clean and clear, with excellent acoustics, like other BBC recordings.

If you have any interest in Steve Earle, or alt-country/americana, at all, purchase this CD.

Great record!! Some songs I'd not heard. This guy is a genious, and not just music---buy his book of short stories!!

Very nice live recording before Earle got really wrapped up in his heroin/marital/other problems (see "Shut Up And Die Like An Aviator" for what he sounded like AFTER that all descended). I love Steve Earle and have almost all of his CDs--this one's probably in my top five now (along with Guitar Town, Exit O, Austin City Limits (Live) and The Mountain).

Steve Earle, the hardcore troubadour with his backing band the Dukes, were one of the most lethal live combinations in the 80s. This disc captures an artist in the midst of one of many creative peaks. A must have for fans.