The Americana world was shaken in 2020 by the death of Justin Townes Earle, the talented singer songwriter country/folk/blues musician following in the footsteps of his father, alt-country Steve Earle. His songs were rich in guitar, organ and horns (the first two of which he’d played in his father’s band) and featured evocative, personal lyrics inspired by his own personal demons and the stark realities of life in general. His last album, 2019’s “The Saint of Lost Causes”, was an affecting critique of the American dream in 12 songs and signalled his burgeoning promise was cut short when he succumbed to a long struggle with drug abuse at only 38 years old.
The bulk of “All In” offers material from the sessions that would birth the songs of “The Saint of Lost Causes” most of which did not make that final album. Only a work-in-progress version of the title track and demos of “Appalachian Nightmare” and “Over Alameda” – the latter two paired with the released album versions for comparison – indicate what was left on the album, with six demos showcasing songs left on the cutting room floor. Additionally, there are two covers from that album’s sessions: the formative “Rocket 88” and a haunting version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” that serves as the album’s lead single.
Other rarities on “All In” cover the period surrounding “Kids in the Street”, including a demo of that album’s “If I Was the Devil” and two live tracks from the period recorded live for the elder Earle’s SiriusXM radio show.
The album closes with three rare covers Earle recorded: a 2014 take on Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days” for a “Born in the U.S.A.” tribute album; a 2010 version of John Prine’s “Far from Me,” recorded for a tribute album to that legendary songwriter; and a take on Paul Simon’s “Graceland” that was issued as a B-side/bonus track to “Kids in the Street”.
New West Records – who released “The Saint of Lost Causes” and its predecessor, 2017’s “Kids in the Street” – will memorialize Earle’s tenure on the label with “All In: Unreleased & Rarities“, is a collection of demos and outtakes from this period. Nearly entirely previously unreleased, the album will be available August 9th on CD, vinyl and digital.
The Fat Angel Sings 