Jump to content

Another Reason to like Justin Townes Earle


Recommended Posts

JTE is a very classy performer. I saw him on Sunday at the Bloodshot show in Boston and he has the poise and understanding that he is first and formost an entertainer and that he needs to connect to the audience. He writes very good songs as well and is derivitive in the best possible way. Nice guy too. I talked to him for quite awhile.

 

LouieB

Link to post
Share on other sites

Midnight is a great record. Don't forget to check out the EP put out with his first album. In another world Justin would already be a big star, but there is alot of competition in the music biz. It is very cool that his father lets him sing along on the Townes album.

 

LouieB

Link to post
Share on other sites

Midnight is a great record. Don't forget to check out the EP put out with his first album. In another world Justin would already be a big star, but there is alot of competition in the music biz. It is very cool that his father lets him sing along on the Townes album.

 

LouieB

 

The only time I saw Justin perform was in 2001 at the Riviera when he opened up for his dad. I was pretty amazed at his solo performance, especially since he was just still a teenager. Definitely need to see Justin again (and get his new album).

Link to post
Share on other sites

Something I should have mentioned when I started this thread. His performance was excellent. And the multi-instrumentalist that plays with him is very impressive.

 

Despite the fact that I was sitting towards the back of the bar surrounded by a slew of indifferent folks whose overall demeanor said, "I'm a regular here; I didn't pay the cover; so its okay for me to yell over the music because my story about the cracked head on my '68 Camaro can't wait until tomorrow night when I'm back here again," Justin Townes Earle delivered an intimate yet energetic performance that felt like he was personally connecting with the crowd, at least those of us who were paying attention.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Midnight is a great record. Don't forget to check out the EP put out with his first album. In another world Justin would already be a big star, but there is alot of competition in the music biz. It is very cool that his father lets him sing along on the Townes album.

 

LouieB

 

I got a kick out of the interview where Justin said that Townes scared him a little when he was younger. He was always acting crazy and smelled funny (he later realized it was the booze).

Link to post
Share on other sites

The only time I saw Justin perform was in 2001 at the Riviera when he opened up for his dad. I was pretty amazed at his solo performance, especially since he was just still a teenager. Definitely need to see Justin again (and get his new album).

The new album is really good. Give it a listen.

 

 

Something I should have mentioned when I started this thread. His performance was excellent. And the multi-instrumentalist that plays with him is very impressive.

 

Despite the fact that I was sitting towards the back of the bar surrounded by a slew of indifferent folks whose overall demeanor said, "I'm a regular here; I didn't pay the cover; so its okay for me to yell over the music because my story about the cracked head on my '68 Camaro can't wait until tomorrow night when I'm back here again," Justin Townes Earle delivered an intimate yet energetic performance that felt like he was personally connecting with the crowd, at least those of us who were paying attention.

Justin has figured out that if you look at the audience directly and in the eye, you will get alot of attention, not to mention the kind of corny, but effective "Ladies and Gentlemen" shtick he does and the whole I'm just a hillbilly thing. If his songs were not as good and his playing and the musicianship of his sideman weren't also top notch this would fall totally flat, but somehow it works, in a very old school sort of way.

 

LouieB

Link to post
Share on other sites

A close friend (and former bandmate) of mine got the chance to open for JTE here awhile back. He said Justin was as nice a guy as you could ever hope to meet.

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

Justin has figured out that if you look at the audience directly and in the eye, you will get alot of attention, not to mention the kind of corny, but effective "Ladies and Gentlemen" shtick he does and the whole I'm just a hillbilly thing. If his songs were not as good and his playing and the musicianship of his sideman weren't also top notch this would fall totally flat, but somehow it works, in a very old school sort of way.

 

LouieB

 

Exactly right. Somehow he can get away with the old school showman shtick. It just seems to work, like you are watching an old vaudeville act or something.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Exactly right. Somehow he can get away with the old school showman shtick. It just seems to work, like you are watching an old vaudeville act or something.

Well it flies in the face of everything modern or even post-modern (whatever that means...), since most contemporary performers are supposed to be slightly surly and not there to "entertain" and many acts who do think it is their job to entertain either go for the irony and fall flat or simply fall flat due to lack of skill or the audience's interest in what they are doing. Certainly Justin is 180 from his old man who grew famous being both surly and not really giving a shit about his audience. I am not sure where Justin learned how to do this (probably from watching old bluegrass type bands), but he also both learned how to write songs and perform them well, all of which helps him.

 

LouieB

Link to post
Share on other sites

As long as he doesn't go over the top with the schtick stuff. He's way too talented for that.

 

Saw him open for Jason Isbell and he blew me away. His voice was amazing and it definitely harkened back to what you would expect the grand ole' opry to sound like. Almost didn't sound real. I met him briefly and concur that he is a nice young fella. Will see him again opening for Dan Auerbach.

Link to post
Share on other sites

JTE is a very classy performer. I saw him on Sunday at the Bloodshot show in Boston and he has the poise and understanding that he is first and formost an entertainer and that he needs to connect to the audience. He writes very good songs as well and is derivitive in the best possible way. Nice guy too. I talked to him for quite awhile.

 

LouieB

 

i agree, great performer. he was kind of a dick when i met him though :hmm

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...