radiozep, but can you like a song, but not like what the lyrics are about? Do don't have to agree with an artist to like his/her work.

Good comment. I was at a Roger Waters concert this spring and he went off on a bit a political rant after a new song or two about Bush and Co. The guy behind me started yelling 'Shut up and play the music', yet this guy was cheering and yelling after 'Us and Them'. Did the guy ever listen to the lyrics???

Love your comment! I can only offer that i believe music was a far more powerful unifying force back in those days. Today I think people are generally more cynical and self-interested, and Dylans/Baezes/Seegars etc are perhaps thinner on the ground.

Noting all the “get off the soapbox” comments, all I can say is what a generation of wusses. Oh, if you play music, Mr. Musician, then you can’t touch political issues or criticize the government? Why not? Christ, if this generation had been around in the ‘60’s, you’d have run off Dylan, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton and the US would still be stuck in Vietnam, Blacks would still be shufflin’, and women would still be ass-deep in Betty Crocker land. Art has many roles, and one of them is to provoke change, not just entertain. Sensitive souls, get beyond the ranting and anger and hear the message.

Noting all the “get off the soapbox” comments, all I can say is what a generation of wusses. Oh, if you play music, Mr. Musician, then you can’t touch political issues or criticize the government? Why not? Christ, if this generation had been around in the ‘60’s, you’d have run off Dylan, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton and the US would still be stuck in Vietnam, Blacks would still be shufflin’, and women would still be ass-deep in Betty Crocker land. Art has many roles, and one of them is to provoke change, not just entertain. Sensitive souls, get beyond the ranting and anger and hear the message.

i am not a huge steve earle fan (though i am a big townes vz fan so i like steve earle); anyways i bought this album. i would submit that every song is excellent, including a nice duet with a woman, i thought it was his wife, but must be sister. and a great bluegrass tune. and an irish tune. all with his seasoned and hard-wrought sensibility. buy it!

Yeah the guy's a total prick. Not surprising he's been married so many times. I happen to agree with Steve regarding abolition of the death penalty but he's such a jerk-off when he talks about it I'm prone to wanting to disagree with him. He's made more enemies than people he's converted I'll bet.

Yes-while everyone is entitled to a political opinin, I resented paying for all the political talk in the last live album. But as a musican Steve's great-Transcendental Blues is what the Beatles would have sounded like if they'd grow up in Nashville rathern than Liverpool!

and, therefore, you don't purchase insurance of any kind?

Yes-while everyone is entitled to a political opinin, I resented paying for all the political talk in the last live album. But as a musican Steve's great-Transcendental Blues is what the Beatles would have sounded like if they'd grow up in Nashville rathern than Liverpool!

I'm troubled to hear of the musical artist's ravings, but as far as the song is concerned, it's good.

I saw Steve Earle in a small theatre in Colorado just before the 2004 presidential election. While he was very fired-up, his singing was incoherent, and his internal rage made a mess of the show. He released his frustration with the current administration at his fans by repeatedly swearing at us, and calling us "fucking lazy" for not voting and not protesting.

I like Steve Earle's music. I am not a wealthy industrialist who has sold congress and the presidency and shipped Amercia's jobs to foreign countries.

I also share some of Steve's sadness and anger with the direction the US government has taken us, but I guess he didn't know that when he was yelling at me. I bet there were very few neo-conservatives in his audience, but he attacked us like he was performing at the Republican Convention.

And when he broke a string during "Jerusalem", I worried that the blood vessels in his lungs or brain were not up to the task, or that he might kill his guitar tuner.

Steve Earle could be a powerful voice if he would learn from the great revolutionary speakers that unified people rather than insulting them. It might also help if he would open his mouth when he sings.

Lighten up, man. I voted.

I love this song, but wonder if the rest of the album is worth it. Usually the single best of any cd shows up here on RP. Any casual fans of Steve Earle have any advice about the cd as a whole? BTW I love his sister, Stacey Earle. Wonder how she would be received on RP. I could upload some of her work. Think I should? Remember I am sensitive and cry easily.

I love this song, but wonder if the rest of the album is worth it. Usually the single best of any cd shows up here on RP. Any casual fans of Steve Earle have any advice about the cd as a whole? BTW I love his sister, Stacey Earle. Wonder how she would be received on RP. I could upload some of her work. Think I should? Remember I am sensitive and cry easily.

Your collective attention please. This is no longer humorous. It was once. About 1998.

Thank you. Please resume speed.

Steve Earle - Transcendental Blues
Moby - My Weakness

Brilliant segue.

Crap.

This guy used to be good...back when he was all messed up on drugs and booze and not such a freakin' socialist downer. Hand over the barbituates, please.