Album review: Terraplane — Steve Earle & The Dukes

On his latest release, Terraplane, the 60-year-old singer-songwriter, backed by his long-time support group The Dukes, exorcises his demons over failed relationships with his take on the blues,

Terraplane by Steve Earle & The Dukes.
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Steve Earle & The Dukes

Terraplane (New West Records)

Three stars

As someone who has been married and divorced seven times, Steve Earle knows a thing or two about lost love.

On his latest release, Terraplane, the 60-year-old singer-songwriter, backed by his long-time support group The Dukes, exorcises his demons over failed relationships with his take on the blues, one of the few genres he had yet to tackle during his lengthy career. And tackle it he does, in a variety of styles that range from the master Robert Johnson and Mick Taylor-era Stones, to the blues swing and boogie that Earle's native Texas is famous for.

Standout tracks include You're The Best Lover That I Ever Had, undoubtedly an ode to his most recent marriage to the alt-country singer Allison Moorer. On Ain't Nobody's Daddy Now, Earle, in his best Lightnin' Hopkins, sings about how he is free with "nobody to tie me down". More rocking tracks include the Canned Heat/ZZ Top boogie of The Tennessee Kid, and the Stonesy blues of Go Go Boots Are Back.

Of the 11 tracks on the disc there’s not a dud among them, testament to the master songwriter that Earle has long been.

artslife@thenational.ae