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Album Details

• Artist: Steve Earle
• Album: Jerusalem
• Label: Artemis / E-Squared
• Year of Release: 2002
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-03-31

Steve Earle is not one to shy away from controversy and that's how Jerusalem got it's press kick, ladened with controversy. It was all over one track called "John Walker's Blues" where Steve sings in the first person about the American Taliban soldier looking for salvation. While this is a good song, there are plenty other tracks that deserve recognition on Jerusalem, one of Earle's finest albums to date. The album kicks off with the rocking (almost industrial sounding) "Ashes to Ashes" where he sings "Nobody lives forever/Nothin' stands the test of time / It's always best to keep it in mind/That every tower ever built tumbles/No matter how strong no matter how tall". The album pretty much has that tone throughout but it's great inspirational material when a sad event like 9/11. The album closes with the title track where Earle sings his hopes: "And I believe that on that day all the children of Abraham will lay down their swords forever in Jerusalem." Emmylou Harris makes her obligatory appearance on "I Remember You". One major reason controversy begins is that people are scared of the truth. If everyone starts talking about what the issues are then we may be looking at a solution. It's been pretty much an album a year for Steve Earle showing that this man is in a creative high right now. His diversity is a welcome relief.

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