J.T.

by Steve Earle, Steve Earle & the Dukes

Overview

Steve Earle has made something of a sideline out of paying homage to songwriters who meant a great deal to him on the occasion of their death. He honored his friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt on 2009's Townes, and did the same for fellow Texas songwriting legend Guy Clark on 2019's Guy. He continues this tradition with 2021's J.T., though the tenor of the piece is significantly different -- the J.T. in question was Justin Townes Earle, Steve's son, who died in August 2020 of an accidental overdose after years of struggling with addiction and recovery. Justin released eight albums during his lifetime, and though plenty of celebrity progeny are happy to trade on the good will of their parent's body of work, he seemed determined to succeed or fail on his own merits, with his own style. There was an introspective tone and a lack of swagger that separated his work from his dad's, and his plaintive mood stood in contrast with the grit of Steve's best-known albums. Justin had a talent that rivaled that of his father, but his lyrical voice lacked the elder Earle's etched-in-stone confidence, and he made that a virtue, baring his soul with a modesty and emotional truth that was disarming and effective. While it may not have been what he had in mind, Steve Earle injects a good portion of his own personality into the songs on J.T. In this context, it's much clearer what the son learned from his father than in his own interpretations of these tunes. Steve and his band the Dukes fill out the often minimal arrangements of Justin's original recordings, and the acoustic blues at the root of Justin's music runs parallel with the country leanings of Earle's group, whose fiddles and slide guitars liven up even the more somber tunes. That said, Justin's songs sound perfectly natural coming from Steve's voice here. Even if he changes the spirit and tone of the originals (putting a bit more rock in "Maria," amping up the dread of "The Saint of Lost Causes," and making the casual fatalism of "Harlem River Blues" sound almost joyous), these stories come from a place and a view of the world that he clearly recognizes. Without paternal arrogance, Steve knows just how talented his son was, and his performances show him doing his very best to make that clear. The final song, "Last Words," is the only tune Steve wrote for this album, and it's far simpler and more immediate than the songs that precede it. It's not maudlin, but it's shot through with a very real sadness that makes room for the puzzlement and anger that any father who has had to bury his own child must feel. If the final track is an act of public mourning, the rest of J.T. is the loving and appreciative celebration Justin Townes Earle's music deserves. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	03/19/2021
Label:	New West
UPC:	0607396549214

Tracks

1. I Don't Care
2. Ain't Glad I'm Leaving
3. Maria
4. Far Away in Another Town
5. They Killed John Henry
6. Turn Out My Lights
7. Lone Pine Hill
8. Champagne Corolla
9. The Saint of Lost Causes
10. Harlem River Blues
11. Last Words

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steve Earle   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin,Harmonica,Octave Mandolin
Steve Earle & the Dukes   Primary Artist
Brad Pemberton   Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Jeff Hill   Cello,Vocals,Bass (Acoustic),Bass (Electric)
Chris Masterson   Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin,Finger Piano
Eleanor Whitmore   Organ,Fiddle,Vocals,Mandolin
Ricky Ray Jackson   Dobro,Vocals

Technical Credits

Steve Earle   Composer,Producer
Ray Kennedy   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering
Justin Townes Earle   Composer
Tom Bejgrowicz   Design
Tony Fitzpatrick   Cover Art
Kim Buie   A&R
Shervin Lainez   Photography
Scotty Melton   Composer
Sara Sharpe   Photography
John Rooney   Assistant Engineer
Laurence Kern   Guitar Technician
Ian Dublin Earle   Associate Producer