STEVE EARLE – Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator (1991 MCA)
Steve Earle was nearing the end of the first chapter of his career, when he rolled into London and Kitchener Ontario, to record his live album Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator, with his band the Dukes. Amusingly, Kitchener is misspelled “Kitchner” on the inner sleeve, which led to no end of amusement to us who live here. Steve had a bad spell with drugs and jail before making a triumphant comeback with the albums Train a Comin’ and I Feel Alright. This is simplifying and shortening the story quite a bit, but the point is that the Steve Earle that was on tour supporting the album The Hard Way was not as strong as past or future Steves. Yet the album he made, his first live, remains an important part of the discography to own. He even produced it himself. The reality was, this was a contractual obligation album with MCA that received mixed reviews.
The brief album intro featuring news clips from the time sure brings you back to the early 1990s. Canadians will recognize the Oka crisis (which is addressed during the encores), and the Gulf War too is mentioned. It’s almost like Steve wanted a time stamp for his first live album.
The crowd fades in and we open with Guitar Town classic “Good Ol’ Boy (Gettin’ Tough)”, and indeed the live version is a bit tougher with louder guitars and backing organ. After a brief intro, a rasp Steve introduces “The Devil’s Right Hand”, and the cracks appear in the armor with a shaky start. According to the liner notes, all the lead vocals are 100% live (some guitars were overdubbed where there were technical difficulties). Even when Steve is pushing his voice, the Dukes are solid as rock, with solos and rhythm anchoring the singer.
A personal favourite, “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied”, one of the best songs from Exit 0, is a slightly more delicate song. Here, you wish the piano hooks and backing vocals were more audible, but it’s a beautiful song even in this rougher guise. Once again the Dukes save the day when Steve sometimes flounders. It leads well into the 1986 single “Someday” from Guitar Town, which is performed slower than the album, with crunchier guitars. Steve delivers a wonderful performance here.
A jamming “West Nashville Boogie” gives you a ZZ Top vibe. It’s over twice as long as The Hard Way studio version. It really smokes as an album highlight, and a showcase for the abilities of the Dukes. Zip Gibson rips on the solos with Bucky Baxter shredding the steel guitar, while bassist Kelly Looney holds down the groove with some flavour. Then a blazing “Snake Oil” from Copperhead Road keeps the momentum going. This is all before a big change of pace.
“Blue Yodel #9” is as folksy as it gets, a Jimmy Rodgers cover, which surprisingly leads into the ballad “The Other Kind” from The Hard Way, one of Steve’s best! Regardless of the state of affairs, it sounds as if Steve is pouring 100% of what he’s got into the song. The chorus still rings powerful. “There are those that break and bend, I’m the other kind, I’m the other kind.” The song seems to be expressing unhappiness in the face of success, but with Steve singing it in full rasp, it sounds like defiance. Listen to that beautiful mandolin accompaniment.
Sticking with the new album, it’s “Billy Austin”, captured big and bold on stage. “Doin’ fine,” says Steve to an audience member who asks. Unaccompanied, Steve and his guitar tell the story of fictional Billy, on death row. Again, Steve is a little shaky at first but he soon finds the notes. This long, slow version reveals both the flaws and the passion. This was Steve’s big statement on capitol punishment, which he is vehemently opposed to. “I didn’t even make the paper, ’cause I only killed one man. But my trial was over quickly, then the long hard wait began.” It really is chill inducing, as keyboards enter the fray to add soft backing texture. Even at a weaker moment in his career, Steve Earle manages to deliver an awe inspiring performance, and makes us question our hearts.
“Copperhead Road” was the big hit, and it lies somewhere in the the middle of the set. “My name’s John Lee Pettimore, same as my daddy and his daddy before.” The ode to moonshine remains a signature song. This is not a definitive live version (there is a brilliant later version on the bonus disc to Transcendental Blues). Once again though, the Dukes absolutely smash it. Even if Steve has trouble delivering, the guitars compensate.
A version of the ballad “Fearless Heart” features prominent drums by Craig Wright, but the song feels off. It’s the first Steve Earle classic that just doesn’t sound quite right. He’s very raspy in his A cappella intro to “Guitar Town”, but the song kicks. A little sloppy but full speed and it holds together, with all the hooks delivered satisfyingly. “I Love You Too Much” keeps that momentum going, a smashing performance. From there it’s goodnight and of course the obligatory three song encore: A punchy “She’s About A Mover” (Sir Douglas Quintet cover), ballad “The Rain Came Down”, and the Stones cover “Dead Flowers”. These are solid closers, of different styles. “The Rain Came Down” is raspy glory, while the other two songs just make you want to party.
Though a rough ride to the end, Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator should be applauded for its “all lead vocals are live” approach. It’s not as bad as some reviews would have you believe. It is most definitely a snapshot in a time of the life of Steve.
3.25/5 stars
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