Tuesday 4 June 2013

Steve Earle and the Dukes – Royal Festival Hall - 21st May 2013

Making a welcome return to London to promote his “The Low Highway” album, Steve Earle initially takes the stage to introduce his support band
The Mastersons, telling us that they’re the best band he’s ever seen. A husband and wife duo comprising Eleanor Whitmore and Chris Masterson, tonight they borrow the Dukes’ rhythm section and make a delightful noise reminiscent of Lone Justice in their prime. Whitmore dedicates one song to “everybody suffering in these down times”. As we will discover, this will be something of a theme for the evening.

When Steve Earle and the Dukes emerge, it transpires that The Mastersons are actually half of the Dukes! They start with the title track of “The Low Highway”, and much of the new album follows. The album is very much influenced by the current hard economic times. Steve explains that Bob Dylan had recreated himself in the image of Woody Guthrie and other songwriters (Earle included) had followed suit. The reason for this is that Dylan and his (and later) generations hadn’t seen hard times like the 1930s. “Now” Steve tells us, “we have”.

However, the subject matter of many of the songs should not distract us from the glorious musical display being provided. I have to agree with Steve’s statement that this is the best band he’s ever fronted. Chris Masterson is a proper lead guitarist who totally owns the stage every time he steps forward to take a solo. Not content with that he also plays sublime pedal steel and (on one occasion) bass. Eleanor Whitmore contributes guitar, some truly incredible fiddle solos, keyboards and vocals. Is there anything that these people can’t do?!! The rhythm section is incredibly tight, with Will Rigby (from The dBs) being very much from the Charlie Watts ‘less-is-more’ school of drumming.

The set is festooned with highlights. For me “Taneytown” and the Stones-y “Calico County” stood out. Apparently Earle is waiting for the call from “Keith” to record the latter! Fan favourites “Guitar Town” and “Copperhead Road” are wisely placed the middle of the set rather than being predictably saved till the end, thus avoiding any potential mid-set ‘sag’. “Remember Me” was particularly moving as it was dedicated to Earle’s young son, who suffers from autism. The Stones’ “Mother’s Little Helper” was an unusual encore choice, and was followed by “Nothing But You”, which is apparently Bob Dylan’s favourite Steve Earle song – as it’s the only one he’s covered!

By the end of the encores, this gig proved itself to be by far the quickest two-and-a-half hours I’ve ever experienced! As always with Steve Earle, there was a broad musical palette on display, ranging from bluegrass to country to rock. A wonderful presentation of gloriously down-at-heel blue collar Americana.


                                                                                                Mark Kelly