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
