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adnielsen's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fascinating biography on Steve Earle, country rocker who has been married seven times and narrowly escaped his addiction to crack and heroin after spending time behind bars in the early 90s. Earle embodies the rock and roll lifestyle which makes a biography on him so fascinating. This was well written and fun to read.
3gamestolove's review against another edition
Really enjoyed this; read as I dig into Steve's catalog as homework for seeing him headline a festival in about a week and a half. Surprised this isn't a 4+ average here because I thought it was really well done. Would be interested in an update on the last twenty years of his life, but I gather that's a story that Steve himself will tell, especially in the light of Justin's passing.
Every other chapter or so I was reminded that the author was raised outside of the US with phrases like "hit her for six" and the like, which was a fun bonus.
Every other chapter or so I was reminded that the author was raised outside of the US with phrases like "hit her for six" and the like, which was a fun bonus.
borborygmus's review against another edition
4.0
"If Steve Earle weren't a living, breathing person, he'd be a character in a blues song -- a raucous ballad about a gifted rebel who drank too much, lost most of his women in a blizzard of crack and cocaine addiction, and always came out on the wrong side of the law. Somewhere in the midst of all this, he also managed to weld rock to country, the Beatles to Springsteen, and bluegrass to punk, establishing himself among the most thoroughly original and politically astute musicians of his generation. Granted unrestricted access to Steve and his family and friends, Lauren St John has given us a sometimes shocking, often moving, and completely unvarnished biography of one of America's most talismanic sons."
luluallison's review
An interesting book, plainly written and with great access. I am a bit of a fan, but enjoyed it predominantly for the overall interest and background on marvellous musicians such as Townes Van Zandt, Earle's mentor and friend. A good read and good learning for anyone interested in country, Americana and roots. Lacks the epic mood music of some other biographies of similar characters, (Nick Tosches is one of my fav authors) but the subject matter has so much to offer that there is plenty to enjoy.
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