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Ghosts of West Virginia

Steve Earle Format: Audio CD

632 ratings

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From the manufacturer

Ghosts of West Virginia

Ghosts of West Virginia centers on the Upper Big Branch coal mine explosion that killed twenty-nine men in that state in 2010, making it one of the worst mining disasters in American history.

In ten deftly drawn, roughly eloquent, powerfully conveyed sonic portraits, Earle and his long-time band the Dukes explore the historical role of coal in rural communities. More than merely a question of jobs and income, mining has provided a sense of unity and meaning, patriotic pride and purpose.

Editorial Reviews

Ghosts of West Virginia centers on the Upper Big Branch coal mine explosion that killed twenty-nine men in that state in 2010, making it one of the worst mining disasters in American history. When asked about what drove him to craft his deeply evocative new album, Steve Earle says, 'I thought that, given the way things are now, it was maybe my responsibility to make a record that spoke to and for people who didn't vote the way that I did,' he says. 'One of the dangers that we're in is if people like me keep thinking that everybody who voted for Trump is a racist or an a**hole, then we're f*cked, because it's simply not true. So this is one move toward something that might take a generation to change. I wanted to do something where that dialogue could begin.' In ten deftly drawn, roughly eloquent, powerfully conveyed sonic portraits, Earle and his long-time band the Dukes explore the historical role of coal in rural communities. More than merely a question of jobs and income, mining has provided a sense of unity and meaning, patriotic pride and purpose 'I said I wanted to speak to people that didn't necessarily vote the way that I did,' he says, 'but that doesn't mean we don't have anything in common. We need to learn how to communicate with each other. My involvement in this project is my little contribution to that effort. And the way to do that ' and to do it impeccably ' is simply to honor those guys who died at Upper Big Branch.'

Product details

Product Dimensions : 5 x 5.55 x 0.39 inches; 2.12 Ounces
Manufacturer : New West Records
Original Release Date : 2020
Date First Available : February 25, 2020
Label : New West Records
ASIN : B0851LLHM1
Number of discs : 1

Best Sellers Rank: #2,766 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #304 in Country (CDs & Vinyl)

Customer Reviews:
632 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		73%
4 star		19%
3 star		6%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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dynomite

steve earle at his finest

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

absolutely one of the best steve earle releases in a long time. one thing i found about this release is one that people , me included tend to when they follow their favorite artists we sometimes expect the same thing from a artist and as were listening to our favorite artist we tend to subconsciously get somewhat complacent while listening to their new offering.but when i listen to this release i find myself looking forward to the next song and that i enveloped myself into the recording that before i know its over. when you have a recording like that you definitely have classic. greg buy this cd

18 people found this helpful

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M. Northuis

Dutiful songs, well written--like a term paper

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020

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I am a solid fan of Steve Earle, have been since Copperhead Road, I still buy his albums regularly--that says a lot for his longevity as a songwriter. His recent album If You Wanna Be An Outlaw rang all my bells, at intervals irreverent and empathetic, a classic Americana/Outlaw Country album. This particular album is well written but I am not convinced by these songs that his whole being was in them, though he is a good enough writer that it is still a decent album. I get the feeling that for some reason he felt duty bound to write these songs--lord knows this country is divided and the politicians like it that way. But I know from experience that the arts really change little in the political world and I doubt that Trump supporters will sing Kumbaya (SP?) with leftists after hearing these songs--they probably do not buy his somewhat radical albums anyway. Personally I always feel when artists become overtly political they have run out of inspiration from deeper sources (though there are notable exceptions). All that said there are a few excellent songs that I will probably record on a SE compilation. For anyone paying attention coal mining is becoming a thing of the past, even the coal executives acknowledge this fact, perhaps Steve should write some songs about Solar panels.

12 people found this helpful

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Philip Mori

Stunning Return to Form for Steve Earle

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2020

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Steve Earle is a polarizing figure because of his politics. Irrespective of that, he’s released some articulate, heartfelt music over the years. Steve is a man of his convictions, he firmly believes in his subject matter. Ghosts of West Virginia does not point fingers or demonize anyone. It’s a thought provoking picture of what it’s like to be a miner. Both of my Grandfathers were miners. This release is particularly poignant to me. If you have even a passing interest in Steve Earle, do yourself a favor and purchase this album. It’s head and shoulders my favorite release of the year so far.

15 people found this helpful

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Elisabeth Laban

Can't wait to see the documentary now.

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

I bought this because of the title "Ghosts of West Virginia". I knew I wouldn't be disappointed, it is after all a Steve Earle CD. I didn't get what I expected, and now I'm at a loss to describe exactly what I expected. What I got, what Steve in presenting is so very much more. I read the sticker on the outer wrap and knew there was going to be some political slants, not a problem with me as I tend to agree along similar lines. I listened to the music and yeah there was a political point of view, but I found I was getting lost in the overall story this CD was telling and wanted to know more. After the third loop of the CD, and hearing the role call of names, I finally opened the liner notes and learned that this is a collection of songs and music for a documentary telling the story of The Upper Big Branch Mine disaster from 2010, with a death toll of 29. Excellent job Steve Earle, simply excellent. Now I track down the documentary and see the music come to life.

5 people found this helpful

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G. Mauler

Love the compassion for the poor miners

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2020

Verified Purchase

God know history seems to keep repeating itself. From the horrible pracitce of slavery, the theft of Native America lands and genocide practiced on them, the struggle for Women's rights, to the working man's stuggle to recieve fair wages and safety in a dangerous job, often those voices are ignored and explained away as "you have to view history in the context of the time and culture at that moment". with that approach we can excuse everything away.

It is nice to see that Steve still cares and writes for change and allows us to see how the same issues at any period in this country's history seem to resurface and resurface. Thanks Steve!

3 people found this helpful

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Jim C

Steve Earle continues to amaze

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2020

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I started listening to Steve Earle after his first release and Steve still continues to amaze.

The first song on the album the a Capella - "Heaven Ain't Goin' Nowhere" ranks among his best. What an amazing singer songwriter.

5 people found this helpful

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Bill

Another great album...

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2020

Verified Purchase

Steve Earle just gets better with and age and with time. Not the “typical” songs from Earle (if there is such a thing), but nonetheless great songs and musicianship. I hope he keeps going forever.

4 people found this helpful

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Mr. Earl

Liked the Music.

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2020

Verified Purchase

Bought the actual CD so I was immediately able to to listen to the digital album. Really liked the music.

I received the physical CD in the mail today. As a life long West Virginian I was pissed at Steve's quote decal on the packaging.

I would suggest that if you want to sell the album in WV you remove this sticker, and I probably voted the same way Steve did.

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Mandrek Larl

Now I know what a curate's egg sounds like ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2020

Verified Purchase

It was with trepidation that I pre-ordered Steve Earle's 2020 album "Ghosts of West Virginia", a purchase driven more by hope than habit for it seems to me that Earle lost his muse a while back after peaking in the early naughties with "Jerusalem" and "The Revolution Starts Now". His recent albums have had few highs and many lows and all failed to keep me interested from start to finish with last year's tribute to mate and mentor Guy Clark being the nadir, it was truly unexciting (and that's being charitable). So believing that the only way could be up, I kept the faith [note the successful but gratuitous and unnecessary attempt to work faith, hope and charity into the first paragraph!] and pre-ordered "Ghosts of West Virginia" and then learnt that was to be a thematic album and my heart sunk.

Now I am not questioning Earle's right to support a cause through his songs or even challenging his views, as a liberal I share many of his values, I applaud the causes he campaigns for, and admire the way he isn't afraid to speak out or be cowed; but fear that his artistic integrity and the quality of his output could be compromised by constraining his material.

So is the "Ghosts of West Virginia" a return to form? In parts yes, but I prefer Earle the heartland-troubadour to Earle the country-and-western-singer and this album contains elements of both Steve Earles and more.

Opening with Earle's gravelly growl on the call and response acapella "Heaven Ain't Goin' Nowhere" is an interesting start but unfortunately it's not really to my liking, nor is second-up "Union, God and Country" which is far too country and western for my tastes; however track three "Devil Put The Coal In The Ground" is more like my kind of Earle with its up tempo jaunty blues. "John Henry Was A Steel Drivin' Man" continues the up tempo beat although this version of the John Henry story has too distinctive a country square dancing swing to it for my tastes. Then the mood and tempo changes with "Time Is Never On Our Side" a beautiful classic simple ballad Steve Earle troubadour style and my favourite track so far.

"It's About Blood", a heartland punk blues, is both the centrepiece and highlight of the album and is dedicated to the victims of the Upper Big Branch coal mine explosion. It starts with Earle half-singing/half-speaking the heart on his sleeve lyrics and finishes with Earle reading the names of the 29 miners who were killed in the disaster. This is Earle back on top form, he's angry and he shows it, he has something to say and he demands to be heard; this is the Steve Earle I admire.

However "If I Could See Your Face Again" is not my thing at all, sung by Eleanor Whitmore it's the epitome of everything I dislike about Grand Ole Opry country and western music and by the third run-through I have started skipping this track.

Things look up with the last three tracks, "Black Lung" an angry number in a power ballad format in which Earle expresses his solidarity with miners at large through the eyes of a miner with pneumoconiosis, an incurable but entirely preventable illness caused by inhaling coalmine dust; "Fastest Man Alive" is a tribute to Chuck Yeager and sees Earle channelling Springsteen Western Star style, [it's not linked to the mining disaster but Yeager cams from West Virginia]; and closing track "The Mine" is a ballad reminiscent of the younger Steve Earle circa "Exit O" although the voice gives away the thirty plus years since then.

And that's it, some very good, some good and some I don't want to hear again, in short "Ghosts of West Virginia" leaves me conflicted.

Steve, you were drinking in the last chance saloon, I don't dislike "Ghosts of West Virginia" enough to call time on our relationship but there's too much variety making it inconsistent and it doesn't come close to your best, go away and to listen Lucinda Williams "Good Souls Better Angels" to hear a sixty-something, liberal, country veteran, at her angry best and maybe next time it will be back to five stars. But this time it's three stars (but that's one better than last time).

33 people found this helpful

Seagull John

Ignore the opening Amazon review, this album is a moving masterpiece and fitting tribute.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2020

Verified Purchase

The opening review should be disregarded by any discerning listener. Written by a lapsed fan who clearly resents not enjoying Steve's music any more, it lacks any critical value. The first seven tracks are of a piece from the musical project about the 2010 mining disaster and it's a powerful piece of writing, the more so for being presented musically in Mono. These seven tracks are the most rounded, emotionally moving songs and music that Earle has put together for years. The final three tracks don't have the same quality control and feel a little like they have been hurriedly put together. They pretty much fit thematically but just aren't as strong. However the seven from the musical justify 5 stars on their own. This is another labour of love, but so much stronger than Guy. I love it.

13 people found this helpful

Mr. A. Boddy

Steve Earle on top form

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

I m loving this album. I have had it just 2 days but have already listened loads of times. His voice is strong, emotive, he has got together a great band, each song is strong but the whole concept makes it even stronger. At the moment my favourite track is ""It's about blood" and I love the humanity in the man that he names all the 29 men who were killed in the 2010 West Virginia mining explosion. On first listening I wondered about the song "If I could see your face again" where Steve does not sing, but on repeated listening it really works and the song is absolutely heartfelt and well sung by Eleanor Whitmore. The album is 10 songs and comes in at just under 30 minutes...but it is fine for me...there are no fillers. For me this is his best album since "The revolution starts now". Lastly I love Steve's words on the sticker "I thought that, given the way things are now, it was maybe my responsibility to make a record that spoke to and for people who didn't vote the way that I did...I wanted to do something where that dialogue could begin."

8 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Virtuoso performance - not to be missed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2020

Verified Purchase

Reminiscent of Radio Ballads or The Transports, this is Steve Earle's best album for many years. Lyrics are so emotive and well written , echoes of John Prine's ability to understand sadness with If I Could See Your Face Again as probably the best track. The restrained and stripped back performance from all the musicians makes this an exceptional work of art. I'm sure those lucky enough to catch the whole theatre performance will remember this for ever

6 people found this helpful

T. Cole

Some Nice Songs

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2020

Verified Purchase

There are not many albums that clock in at under 30 minutes and leave a mark..

The Ramones and Tom Petty's first albums did..

This doesn't, some good songs but none that are going to linger over time.

4 people found this helpful

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