I like all of his stuff but I have to say that my favorite CD is I Feel Alright. I remember hearing it and knowing he was on his way back from where he'd been and it was gonna be alright. He had acknowledged his past and was hopeful for the future. It makes me feel hopeful to listen to it whenever I am down or feel like I have been beaten.
I saw Steve Earle play at Chicago's Park West in '86. The ticket was given to me by a friend and so I had no idea who I was going to see. I thought he was a really good live performer, but country music just wasn't my thing and so I remember thinking that his music was good but not for me. I had grown up in small town country and had moved to the city...for a reason...to get out. And so, the early Guitar Town and Exit O songs weren't something I was interested in. Then, he did his version of Springsteen's "State Trooper". I was a big Springsteen fan then (as was everyone) and I was completely impressed by his rendition of the song. It was better than Springsteen's. But, that was all of Steve Earle I heard for awhile. Then, one day, I heard "Copperhead Road" on the radio. That is the day I started paying closer attention to Steve Earle. I have to say that, other than Copperhead Road, I prefer the music that he has done from the 90's on, but I also have a new appreciation for Guitar Town and Exit O now. I think he is a gifted singer/songwriter and musician. His music is original and has an honesty and a rawness about it. It's heartfelt and that comes across whether you see him live or just listen to his CDs. WSS is just more of the good stuff. You can tell right where his life is by listening to it and he sounds very content with where he is. A bit older, a lot wiser and more evolved as an artist. Nice place to be.
My favorite song is "The Boy Who Never Cried".