Steve Earle 5/11/09

Although separated by a couple of months from the St Alban's gig this was another date in the solo acoustic tour featuring songs by Townes Van Zandt. The setlist was much the same as previously although there were some changes in the order of the tracks but the gig felt different for a number of reasons. The venue was much different (the beautifully restored Birmingham Town Hall vs a modern leisure centre), our seats were different (middle of the front row vs anonymous stalls seats) and Steve's mood was also different. Whereas at St Albans he was on top form right at the start he seemed to start much slower at Birmingham. The first few tracks seemed more perfunctory than previously and he finished the tracks with strangled chords and choked off endings. The endings were in themselves little glimpses of a master guitarist at work. "Pancho and Lefty" which was about fourth track in, didn't have quite the same devastating power that it had at St Albans. For me the mood and the music went up a level with "Taneytown" which was utterly compelling. I can't honestly say I remembered it from the last gig although I guess he played it. This was followed by a brilliant "Goodbye" and the gig was pretty much on a roll from thereon in. The mandolin based tracks at the end were particularly good including the theme tune from the Wire and "Copperhead Road" and "Galway Girls" It's always an pleasure and a privilege to see Steve Earle, an exceptional musician at the top of his game.