Search - Steve Earle :: Guitar Town (Remastered)(Bonus Track)

A Masterpiece Revisited

Steve Vrana | 03/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now beautifully restored to pristine analog, 'Guitar Town's' sound is warm, capturing bass lines lost in the original digital master released against Earle's wishes. Included is a seething live version of Springsteen's "State Trooper," captured during Earle's exhuberant concert at Chicago's Park West Theatre in August 1986, showcasing a young troubador ready to take on the world. To complete the package, MCA generously included some extra photos from the original Guitar Town session in downtown Nashville for this re-issue, which show just a hint of imminent trouble in Earle's eyes. Most welcome are Earle's illuminating, newly-penned liner notes, which tell of his attendance of a "Born In The USA" concert, (which inspired "Guitar Town,") and shed much-needed light on Guitar Town's genesis. Easily the most groundbreaking Nashville recording since Waylon Jennings' 1970's sessions, Guitar Town was #79 on Rolling Stone's 'Top 100 Albums of the 80's' list and was hailed by rock critics as the savior of country music. Guitar Town is a cornerstone of the mid-1980's "New Traditionalist" movement in Nashville, and continues to exert a massive influence on songwriters 16 years after it's release. Earle may never understand the full impact this recording will continue to have on future generations of songwriters, but the reappearance of this much-loved, maddeningly slow-selling Rosetta Stone of modern-day country music gives a good hint."

The one that started it all....

Jesse Taylor | TACOMA, WA USA | 03/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"....Steve Earle's 'Guitar Town' is an incredible album when viewed in the context of 1986. Country music was still suffering from 'Urban Cowboy' syndrome at that time and Nashville was crankin' out one bland, yet somehow overproduced song, after another. Country music's main stars at the time, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, et al, were as emotionless as the songs they sang. 'Guitar Town' could not have come at a better time. From the opening chord to the fade out, the title track is perfection. The Duane Eddy riffs add just the right amount of rockabilly to the mix, and Earle's voice blends perfectly with the music. Other stand out tracks, 'My Old Friend the Blues', 'Hillbilly Highway', and 'Good Ol' Boy' are not only outstanding songs, but were written from experience. 'Fearless Heart' foreshadows Earle's numerous fast starting and just as fast ending marriages. Only 'Little Rock 'N Roller' comes across as pedestrian. This is a must have for any person that considers themselves a music fan."

Early indication of Earle's talents

Catherine S. Vodrey | East Liverpool, Ohio United States | 03/05/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This essential Steve Earle album has the gems "Guitar Town," "Hillbilly Highway," "My Old Friend the Blues,"--well, heck, they're pretty much all gems. "Guitar Town" concisely sketches the life of a traveling musician in today's terms. "Hillbilly Highway" is defiantly proud of its country roots. Even the quasi-lullaby, "Little Rock and Roller," has an edge and benefits from Earle's signature gruff, sandpapery voice. All-around excellent stuff."