The Definitive Collection 1983-1997

Liner Note Author: Rich Kienzle. Recording information: 1983 - 1997. Even before he became a controversial, polarizing figure in the early 2000s with suchstark and politically-charged songs as the terrorism-themed "John Walker's Blues, " Steve Earle was too rough-edged and too ornery to fit neatly into any Nashville box. The outstanding 18-track anthology THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION gathers thehighlights of Earle's early career, from1986's country-rock stomper "Guitar Town" to 1997's sardonic "Christmas In Washington. " Though Earle's lyrical themes and melodic style are as country as Hank Williams (clearly his biggest influence), he's also a disciple of the Rolling Stones ("Dead Flowers" gets a respectfully raucous cover) and Gram Parsons-era Flying Burrito Brothers. With the Dukes, Earle offered a gritty update on Parsons's "cosmic American music, " which gave the staid Nashville scene of the '80s a shot in the arm and helped pave the way for the punkier alt-country movement of the '90s. Earle's personal demons prevented him from becoming a country superstar in his early days, but THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION features some of the most powerfulcountry music of its time.

Track Listing

• 1 nothin' but you
• 2 guitar town
• 3 good ol' boy (gettin' tough)
• 4 fearless heart
• 5 hillbilly highway
• 6 goodbye's all we've got left
• 7 someday
• 8 i ain't ever satisfied
• 9 the week of living dangerously
• 10 copperhead road
• 11 snake oil
• 12 devil's right hand
• 13 billy austin
• 14 goodbye
• 15 valentine's day [live]
• 16 ellis unit one
• 17 feel alright
• 18 christmas in washington
• 19 telephone road