Steve Earle - Jerry Jeff: did you notice…

[BelairPlayer]

Did you notice that Steve seems to grunt, grown, grumble, sound like he might be straining at stool, clear phlegm, or otherwise make some distracting noise after every line?

Is this a new thing for Steve? I certainly don’t recall Jerry Jeff Walker ever making those sounds, so I’m not sure it “enhances” a tribute album.

It sure is distracting.

 

[backporchmusic]

So he was just supposed to do a version that sounded like Jerry Jeff, like a podunk cover band that charges an $8 cover?

I think Steve's earned the right to sing however he pleases.

 

[BelairPlayer]

So he was just supposed to do a version that sounded like Jerry Jeff, like a podunk cover band that charges an $8 cover?

reductio ad absurdum

I think Steve's earned the right to sing however he pleases.

Sure, but I also get to notice if it’s weird, distracting, and doesn’t add much.

 

[backporchmusic]

Did you notice that Steve seems to grunt, grown, grumble, sound like he might be straining at stool, clear phlegm, or otherwise make some distracting noise after every line?

AD HOMENIEM

See, that's pretty easy to do.

 

[teletimetx]

Did you notice that Steve seems to grunt, grown, grumble, sound like he might be straining at stool, clear phlegm, or otherwise make some distracting noise after every line?

Is this a new thing for Steve? I certainly don’t recall Jerry Jeff Walker ever making those sounds, so I’m not sure it “enhances” a tribute album.

It sure is distracting.

after every line? Sounds like that could be distracting.

Here's Earle doing a Guy Clark song that Jerry Jeff Walker first made famous.

I'm not hearing much of what you're describing - maybe one performance doesn't tell the whole story?

 

[richiek65]

His son (RIP) would also make similar "vocalisations" from memory?

 

[tho618]

I believe Steve mentioned in an interview that he has some breathing issues at this point that he has to deal with.

 

[BelairPlayer]

after every line? Sounds like that could be distracting.

Here's Earle doing a Guy Clark song that Jerry Jeff Walker first made famous.

I'm not hearing much of what you're describing - maybe one performance doesn't tell the whole story?

He’s definitely not doing it there.

 

[BelairPlayer]

I believe Steve mentioned in an interview that he has some breathing issues at this point that he has to deal with.

Well that would certainly be a different matter altogether. In light of that possibility I went back and listened again to the two available singles. I still think the affectation is a choice.

 

[max_twang]

I think the OP is referring to this...

 

[KeithDavies 100]

I love Steve - have done for years. I think that's something that he's always done - or at least for a long time - though I'd agree he's doing it WAAAAY more on that recording than I've noticed before. It's previously been an occasional thing that I liked, personally - adding character to the delivery. But I get your point here - it is indeed almost every line!

 

[wabashslim]

Maybe he's dealing with some effects of that which cannot be named. Been known to happen.

 

[sloppychops]

I think the OP is referring to this...

Have to agree with OP. Seems overdone. Would've been so easy to edit out some of those "uhmmmerrrrs."

 

[Whoa Tele]

He should cover Lagrange .”a how how how”

 

[rarebreed]

Years ago at the Nashville summer NAMM show I was in the Fender booth looking at the cool new guitars and somebody walked up next to me, it was Steve Earle.

 

[richiek65]

I love Steve - have done for years. I think that's something that he's always done - or at least for a long time - though I'd agree he's doing it WAAAAY more on that recording than I've noticed before. It's previously been an occasional thing that I liked, personally - adding character to the delivery. But I get your point here - it is indeed almost every line!

I wonder how a singer of a cover band would approach this song?