Vintage Review: Steve Earle's Just An American Boy (2003)

Just a year after the release of his controversial album Jerusalem, alt-country giant Steve Earle has followed it up with the live set Just An American Boy. An audio companion to an upcoming concert DVD, this 2-CD set offers as complete a look at Earle’s talents as has been released. Your live-music-loving columnist has heard a half-dozen live Steve Earle albums through the years, most of ‘em bootlegs, and none stand up to the performances and song selection found on Just An American Boy.

Featuring a number of songs from Jerusalem, including “Ashes To Ashes” and “Amerika v. 6.0 (The Best We Can Do),” the album also includes musical snapshots from across Earle’s storied career, from “Guitar Town” and “Copperhead Road” to the classic “Christmas In Washington.” Earle rounds out the affair with a joyful rendition of Nick Lowe’s “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love & Understanding.” Earle’s effortless blend of traditional country, roots rock, bluegrass, and blues has been a major influence on the entire alt-country movement.

His championing of progressive politics and causes has shown Earle to be an intelligent and informed spokesperson for a leftist view of politics shunned by the major media. Ten years after many pundits declared his career dead, Just An American Boy proves that Earle keeps getting better as a songwriter and performer, with lots of life left in a career that has already achieved greatness. (E Squared/Artemis Records, released 2003)

Review originally published by View From The Hill community newspaper, Signal Hill CA