Not country blues or any half-arsed 12-bar tailoring, Earle got his inspiration while backpacking across Europe with a guitar, but he might as well have been holed up in the Mississippi Delta.
Backed by The Dukes, Earle leans heavily on the Texas tradition with a collection of tunes that may seem like a departure from his country rock roots but fits just fine.
• Steve Earle and The Dukes. Terraplane. New West Records
• Four and a half stars (out of five)
Single download: Ain't Nobody's Daddy Now
For those who like: John Lee Hooker, Johnny Winter, Lightnin' Hopkins, Drive By Truckers
- Mark Orton
