Tribute nights are like a compilation record. The buffet of artists and combinations may bring you to tears. Or at moments you may be waiting for the next song to come along as you tap your feet or check out the seating and architecture and instruments on stage.
Tonight there was very little of the latter as the artists on hand made good use of their time, talent and love of Mr. Earle to compensate for any drifting of your attention.
Simply, with a catalogue as vast, brilliant and bright as Steve’s, you knew the poetry was going to shine through no matter what sort of mess they made of the songs. I only use the word mess because that is how Buddy Miller introduced his selection, The Mountain.
Buddy was floating around on stage all night as the musical director and Greg Leisz played guitar, lap and pedal steel and was on stage most of the night. He was brilliant to listen to. My Old Friend The Blues with Leisz, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and Peter Rowan displayed heavenly interplay between all the strings.
Christmas In Washington with Joan Baez and members of the Hellman clan was beautiful and moving. The words written nearly 30 years ago still feel relevant in 2026.
So come back Woody Guthrie
Come back to us now
Tear your eyes from paradise
And rise again somehow
If you run into Jesus
Maybe he can help you out
Come back Woody Guthrie to us now
There’s foxes in the hen house
Cows out in the corn
The unions have been busted
Their proud red banners torn
To listen to the radio
You’d think that all was well
But you and me and Cisco know
It’s going straight to hell
So come back, Emma Goldman
Rise up, old Joe Hill
The barracades are goin’ up
They cannot break our will
Come back to us, Malcolm X
And Martin Luther King
We’re marching into Selma
As the bells of freedom ring-Steve Earle
SET I (Bold Very Good-Red-Unbelievably Amazing)
I Feel Alright-Elizabeth Cook
The Mountain-Buddy Miller, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams
Little Emperor-Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams
Goodbye-Jackson Browne
Sparkle and Shine-Jackson Browne & Molly Tuttle
Carrie Brown-Molly Tuttle
Nothing But a Child-Victoria Williams
Devil Put the Coal-Lukas Nelson)
You’re Still Standin’ There-Lukas Nelson & Elizabeth Cook
Christmas in Washington-Ismay, Joan Baez, etc.
God Is God-Joan Baez
Guitar Town-Emmylou Harris
SET II
Mystery Train Pt.2-Peter Rowan
The Devil’s Right Hand-David Rawlings, Gillian Welch & Peter Rowan
My Old Friend the Blues: Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Peter Rowan & Greg Leisz
I Ain’t Ever Satisfied-Rocky O’Riordan
Ft. Worth Blues-Shawn Camp
Hometown Blues-Hot Tuna
Someday-Peter Case
Johnny Come Lately-Reckless Kelly
Little Rock ‘n’ Roller-Stacey Earle
The Galway Girl-Steve Earle
Copperhead Road-Steve Earle
City of Immigrants-Everybody
Phones were all put away as requested….this was one of the few videos I could find on YouTube. (below)
Everyone was smiling. Earle was watching from the side of the stage. You should have been there.
Dennis and I were….thank you Mr. Hart!
Rave on Mr. Earle….thanks for all the music.
https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/71457771 This is QOBUZ Link…ditch Spotify!
More to come of the 3 days of HSB!