Tag: Steve Earle and the Dukes

Steve Earle Covers Justin Townes Earle’s “Harlem River Blues”

Steve Earle has released a cover of “Harlem River Blues,” part of an upcoming album recorded in tribute to Earle’s late son, Justin Townes Earle.

Steve Earle & The Dukes are releasing the album J.T. as a tribute to Earle’s son Justin Townes Earle, who passed away on August 20, 2020. Steve Earle has released the first song from the album, a cover of one of the younger Earle’s more popular songs, “Harlem River Blues.”

J.T. will feature ten songs written by Justin Townes Earle. The album also will include a song that the father wrote for his son called “Last Words.”

Earle’s cover of “Harlem River Blues” stays close to the original version, much as Earle has done on his tribute albums to close friends Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. Earle still allows the Dukes some leeway to inject joy into the music, making sure that the song is also a celebration of Justin’s life and career.

“Harlem River Blues” originally appeared as the title track on Justin Townes Earle’s 2010 album Harlem River Blues. Below, check out Justin performing the song with the Americana All-Star Band at the 2011 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards.

New West Records will release J.T. digitially on January 4, 2021, which would have been Justin Townes Earle’s 39th birthday. The CD and vinyl versions will be released on March 19, 2021. All of the artist advances and royalties from J.T. will be donated to a trust for the three-year-old daughter of Justin and Jenn Earle, Etta St. James Earle.

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  • Steve Earle Takes On Confederate Flag in “Mississippi, It’s Time”
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    Steve Earle & The Dukes Are Back: “So You Wannabe An Outlaw”

    Wannabe an Outlaw

    Steve Earle & The Dukes will be releasing a new album, So You Wannabe An Outlaw. While I have enjoyed Earle’s recent forays into folk and blues, I am excited to hear that the album will be a return to a focus on his country sound. The album is a tribute to the 1970s Outlaw sound of singers like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

    Speaking of Willie Nelson, he also makes a guest appearance on the album, as do Miranda Lambert and Johnny Bush. So You Wannabe An Outlaw will hit stores and the Internet on June 16, 2017.

    For a preview of Earle’s Outlaw tribute, you may hear one of the new tracks below. Check out “Lookin’ for a Woman.”

    Another track from the new album is “Fixin’ to Die.” It has a harder edge with a rock sound.

    Finally, here is a live performance of the title track, “So You Wannabe an Outlaw.” This performance is from a Town Hall performance in New York City in December 2016. Note that Earle jokes about having Willie Nelson singing on the song. He did get Nelson to sing on the album version of the song.

    A deluxe version of the album will also include covers of songs by Nelson, Jennings, and Billy Joe Shaver. So keep your ear out for the upcoming June 16 release of So You Wannabe An Outlaw, and watch for Earle in the Dukes, who will be touring this summer.


    What is your favorite Steve Earle song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Steve Earle Takes On Confederate Flag in “Mississippi, It’s Time”
  • Steve Earle Covers Justin Townes Earle’s “Harlem River Blues”
  • Steve Earle’s “Ghosts of West Virgina” (album review)
  • Steve Earle Looks Back on “Copperhead Road”
  • Tribute to Guy Clark CD is “Stuff That Works”
  • Devil’s Right Hand Arrest in New York City

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Steve Earle Takes On Confederate Flag in “Mississippi, It’s Time”

    Steve Earle Mississippi

    Steve Earle, no stranger to taking on social justice and political issues in his songs, recently performed a new song about Mississippi’s flag and the Confederate flag controversy. In “Mississippi, It’s Time,” he tells the Magnolia state it is time to take the Confederate battle flag out of the state’s flag (pictured above).

    Below is his first public performance of the song at the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee in August 2015. “You can’t move ahead if you’re looking behind.”

    September 10, 2015 Update: Steve Earle is officially releasing “Mississippi, It’s Time,” with the track hitting stores on September 11. Proceeds from the sale of the song will go to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Listen to the official recording of “Mississippi, It’s Time” by Steve Earle & The Dukes below.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Steve Earle Covers Justin Townes Earle’s “Harlem River Blues”
  • Steve Earle & The Dukes Are Back: “So You Wannabe An Outlaw”
  • Steve Earle’s “Ghosts of West Virgina” (album review)
  • Steve Earle Looks Back on “Copperhead Road”
  • Nanci Griffith’s Superstars on Letterman: “Desperados Waiting for a Train”
  • I woke up this morning, and none of the news was good: Steve Earle’s “Jerusalem” (Song of the Day)

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)