here’s what i know
Steve Earle walked on stage
it was 8:20
his
stance
was Powerful
and
it was Mighty
and
Proud
Powerful
Mighty
Proud
he began to play
and he rocked
and he danced
(Yes he did)
and then
when
every one
of
the mighty songs
ended
he spoke
of His Friend
no,
His Blood Brother
The Mightiest
of songwriters
a Blues,
Singer
Townes Van Zandt
the truth
the meeting
the songs
the love
their brotherhood
and it only took a few songs
to feel
it
The Power
of
The Love
these are not my words
these are The Now
feelings
of the wondrous
why and when
we unfold and unfurl
our souls
and we pray
united
in the church
of mighty music
This is wonder,
full May
this is Spring
in January
minus 30.
truth is,
Oh My Winnipeg
the ugliest
ten lousy drunks
destroyed it
Your
catcalls and stupidity
brought down
and shattered
what was for 14 songs
Beauty
in this holy church
and
The Show of the month
of January.
i had already
given it to
Monotonix
what could possibly?
Steve Earle
singing
playing
feeling
channeling
The Mighty
Townes Van Zandt
that’s The What.
a few weeks ago
there was a fool
with his bird calls
at the Tegan and Sara
show
and last night
if only
there was one fool
and his bird calls
but last night
there were 10?
20?
stupid
rude
Fucks
united
in their determination
to make us all suffer
and who destroyed
and got under his skin.
there’s irony here
for every Johnny Cash
middle finger salute
to the Fucks
who ruined
a wonderful night
that Steve defiantly
fingered
out
with malice
with menace
he acknowledged
these assholes
were “his People.”
clean and sober
no heroin
no assorted junk
no alcohol
for 15 years
Steve Earle was one of those
Fuck/heads
for too many years
track marks
and homeless and
thrown
behind bars
that is shame
and that is low
that is who
Townes van Zandt
would accept into his home
and the homes of friends
and fans
when he too
was That People
homeless
drunk
angry
bitter
Steve Earle’s been there
done that
been that
and he’s returned
from the dead
world
of ugliness
and bitterness
and emptiness
“Are you retarded
or something?”
he asked.
but last night
His People got real
deep
under his skin
“Shut the fuck up!”
he was done.
(there was a woman beside
me
head down,
she prayed)
Steve Earle was ready to walk
off.
the stories left behind.
he gave up as he was about
to tell us about the deli
on the end of his street
in New York City.
in the City Of Immigrants.
a night meant
for
celebrating Townes
Van Zandt’s
songs
lost to
the 2nd worst audience
he’s ever played before.
there’s so much
bitterness and irony,
alcoholism
drowned
Townes
and nearly Steve.
Shame.
Embarrassed.
words i heard
during
and afterward.
Oh My Winnipeg.
breathe…
man, breathe.
Now,
there were more than 1,600
music lovers
there, though.
much more than
his last and previous
Burton Cummings Theatre
show.
14 songs
in a row
that
sleighed
me.
every one gold
every one
rocky spine tingles
a Soul WoW
and
unparalleled
ecstasy
every
one
The Blues
no zippety dooooo
daaaaaa
yeah, Townes is right
there are only
two kinds of music
The Blues
and zippety
dooooooooo
daaaaaah.
Lightnin’ Hopkins.
real.
hard.
spiritual.
that’s, The Blues.
21 songs
one hour
45 minutes
some of the 21,
Where I Lead Me
Colorado Girl
Pancho and Lefty
Brand New Companion
Tom Ames
My Old Friend
Someday
Goodbye
Mud and Gold
Marie
Billy and Bonnie
City Of Immigrants
Dixieland
Galway Girl
encore,
Guitar Town
Copperhead Road
the last 5 songs before the encore,
beginning with City Of Immigrants,
Steve was completely lost
(angry
and stewing)
for the shaming of the memory
of his friend.
he vowed
Not
to play Guitar Town
because of one of those ten
lousy drunks
who kept calling for it.
and he launched The Fuck,head
The Finger!
and when the last song
finished
the 1,600
(praying)
music lovers
leaped
to their feet
and
gave Steve
and
Townes,
pure,
Love.
ps.
the encore,
was a triumph
a return to the prayer
and the focus.
The Promise,
Guitar Town was played
so that the guy
wouldn’t get his head
handed to him
by The Mob.
we weren’t.
we were angry,
yes/
we were lost
in this sadness
of why…
why all this pain?
so, in the end
the lousy drunks
(yes)
They
won a pitched
battle
but the war against
the lousy
bitter
ugly
drunks
Steve Earle
won.
He
won the war.
15 years.
clean
sober.
Steve Earle
Burton Cummings Theatre
January 29.
