Customer Reviews

Steve Earle & the Dukes - Transcendental Blues Live

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

 

 

This is the one the fans have been waiting for. Sort of. A fine performance by Mr. Earle and The Dukes. Only leaves us longtime fans wanting more. There are no between song raps, maybe to get more music in, which kinda takes away from the warmth of the show. Highlights are definitely seeing Dan Gillis, Steve's manager, on tin whistle for "Galway Girl" and the lengthy mandolin intro to "Copperhead Road". This being the first video release from Steve Earle, all told, it is definitely worth getting, especially if you are a new convert.

Obviously I am a big Steve Earls fan or I would not have bought this DVD that is great in quality and nice 5.1, but I think Mr. Earle and all of the UNusually sedated Canadian crowd was all on morphine. I mean I expected just a little more energy from what I have heard on The Mountain CD or anything pre-Transcendental. I almost cried that I had lost [money] on this DVD! I have some other concert footage from Earle, like his prision concert or the Del McCoury concert on 54th Sessions, this is all great stuff that I can not get enough of,,, this is the footage that should be put out! Earle even speaks out on this DVD how he is tried of doing concerts and recordings and wants to focus on doing a play, and it shows real bad on this very lame concert. Sorry Steve and I hope you come back to us loyal but not stupid fans, keep this one in the closet. Might I recommend John Fogerty's Premonition, or Bee Gee's One Night Only, An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson, George Jones Live In Knoxville TN. or Brian Setzer Live in Japan, this is energy with great quality all the way. Don't hate me Steve Earle fans, I am one of the biggest, but this is bad.

I held off purchasing this DVD because of the "other " reviews. Don't let it stop you. If you are a Steve Earle fan-buy this DVD. It is GREAT!

When I picked this up I was surprised at how excellent this was. A stripped down Transcendental Blues LIVE!! In todays terms it would be considered nearly "UNPLUGGED"

I prefer the real deal over over-dubs and cover-ups.

Something you see on just about ALL live videos these days.

Meet Steve Earle - the real deal - live and uncut.

It isn't as country as the earlier Earle, but it has essence.

This was a time when he was picking up new fans and releasing his best stuff ever.

Engage yourself with a true artist!

Highly Recommended!

While I agree with those who posted that the performance is phoned in lets get one thing straight, Steve Earle phoned in is a whole lot better than anything you will hear on Top 40 or Country Radio these days. And, my kids like it!

I was at the concert filmed in Toronto at Convocation Hall... You won't be disappointed. Steve Earle is at the top of his game. drjingles

I am a Steve Earle fan.
This DVD is a poor example of Steve Earle, his talent and his music. Not only is the four man band not representative of the music on the "Tanscendental Blues" audio disk but it is not representative of the man and his music. At the very least there should have been someone working a sound board to balance the music with the vocals. Earle's music is powerful but if you can't here the lyrics it is a waste of your money and mine. You can't here his wonderful lyrics on many of the cuts on this DVD.
One example: The song "Copperhead Road" on the audio disk --live at the Bluebird Cafe-- with acustic guitars is superior to the version done with the combo on this DVD. I was really looking forward to hearing this song done electrified with his combo. I'm Disappointed. Hope future live DVD will be professionally recorded.

Staring Steve's bald spot and comb-over (the camera angles are very unflattering) Steve and company run through mundane versions of a mundane selection of songs. I've seen Steve play great high energy shows and seen shows where he's phoning it in; this is one of the latter. If you have all Steve's records and still feel like you need more Steve, buy the book ("Life and Near Death"), an intertaining little book as far as rock bio's go.

When ever I see a DVD of a well known guitarist I like to pick
it up. I had read that Steve Earle was an exciting talented performer, so when I spotted this DVD I decided to take .....
a flying leap off a cliff.
That's how dumb I felt ten minutes after I popped it into the player. I've done bad drugs before, this was worse. Just say no.
Psssss, Come closer........closer......... IT'S REAL BAD !!