Steve Earle lives up to the title billing here. While some of
Earle's recent work (and live shows) have inclined to excess, this disc collects lean, mean, and vital material from
Earle's first three outings -- the country-rock masterpiece
Guitar Town, the inward-looking
Exit 0, and the angry lashing out of
Copperhead Road.
Essential is topped off by "Continental Trailways Blues," previously available only on a 1987 compilation. Thirteen tracks is a little skimpy; some rarities from the vaults would have been a nice touch. ~ Roch Parisien