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Steve Earle with the Dukes and Duchesses - Featuring Allison Moorer

Venue: The Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 26th October
Website: www.steveearle.com

It seems a long time since Mr Earle graced the stage of our beloved Sage, but back he was and this time he brought with us his band - the Dukes and Duchesses; Will Rigby provided drums, Kelly Lewing from Nashville, Tennessee played bass, fiddler Eleanor Whitmore (who herself had a stunning voice), and Chris Masterson played a variety of guitars. Steve himself played guitars; oh and did I mention that the piece de resistance was the inclusion of Steve's singer songwriter wife Allison Moorer in the band? She last played at The Sage as part of February's Transatlantic Sessions. I will admit that I had high hopes that she would open the show, but in many ways I guess it was a compliment to her that she didn't.

Instead, Steve and the band took straight to the stage, where they played two sets over the course of over two hours. What immediately strikes you about Mr Earle is that he just doesn't look how you imagine, yet from the outset his humour and candour are evident. He says it like it is, no doubt about that, but is also very open when talking of his past problems with drugs, and what his son Justin has been through. Neither did he hold back from exchanging smiles and a few sneaky kisses with wife Allison; an unlikely, but clearly very compatible couple. As he talked about politics and the history of mining; he is one of several American singer songwriters to have a vested interest in the subject, he demonstrated how incredibly articulate he is, not to mention passionate, when speaking of a subject he believes in. I think we could all learn a lot from him. This was again evident when he spoke of his involvement in the New Orleans based HBO series (which has been shown in the UK, I have since learned) and of his dismay at what has, or rather hasn't been done since Katrina hit the city. I have to say, having recently fulfilled a dream in seeing New Orleans, I understand one hundred percent why he is so besotted with the city of jazz. Apparently we both left a little of our souls there.

During the course of the evening, Steve played us the new songs he has written for Treme, including one since he has been on tour here - This City and City of Immigrants. We were treated to asome beautiful new ballads he sang with Allisoon Moorer; Days Aren't Long Enough and Heaven or Hell and some other new songs; Waiting on The Sky, Every Part of Me being some of the ones that stood out, from his new CD, I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive. Well loved songs were more than delivered from across his back catalogue; Comin' Around, The Revolution Starts Now, Guitar Town, Taney Town, Galway Girl, Christmas in Washington, Hillbilly Highway and of course, Copperhead Road.

Throughout the set, Steve invited each member of the band to step forward and perform, allowing them all a chance to shine; in most cases, he played guitar for them, which was a nice twist. Allison, of course, had the longest slot, performing a few of her songs, including a stunning version of Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come. In fact, I enjoyed her version of this so much, I ceased to mind that she hadn't sung any of her older songs, or Carrickfergus from Transatlantic sessions!

Speaking of which, it didn't escape my attention that, whilst Steve and the band still rocked out during the course of the evening, he seemed just a bit mellower than last time. There is certainly more of an acoustic, folk, blues sound creeping through; is this the influence of his wife who started out that way and again seems to have mellowed since Transatlantic Sessions, having had a rockier spell herself, or the experience of Treme, blurring his musical boundaries? Whatever it is, I hope it continues. I love watching Steve rock, but when he sings a ballad, the hairs on my neck stand to attention.

Suffice to say, it was a wonderful evening of music and Steve, Allison and the wonderful band all played a huge part in that. Their dynamic is certainly powerful as well as productive. There is something about Steve Earle that you cannot fail to love, although it is hard to put your finger on just what it is; you just warm to him instantly. Maybe that is his charm. The same charm that along with wonderful music left us wishing as soon as they left the stage that they'd hurry back. With any luck the Hillbilly Highway will lead him back to us via Copperhead Road and another night of music shared with these people will be Comin' Around sooner rather than later!

Helen Mitchell
photos illustrative not taken at gig