Steve Earle & the Dukes

February 15, 2003 - Avalon Ballroom, Boston, MA

"It's colder than fuck, even for Boston" growled Steve Earle early in the evening at Avalon. However, Steve Earle and the Dukes kept the crowd cozy with this very hot show and warm messages. Yes I said warm. Most notably, was his plea for everyone to "be patient with each other" because he felt this year is going to be "very weird." I think everyone can agree with that!

Messages aside, the band rocked for 2 hours and 45 minutes. The show included most of the songs from Earle's grammy nominated release "Jerusalem," a smidge of tunes from "Sidetracks" as well as staples such as "Guitar Town" and "Copperhead Row." Earle swapped between electric guitars, mandolins and banjo and guitarist Eric "Roscoe" Ambel had his share of guitar swaps too. Opener Garrison Star came out on several occassions to lend her vocal talents on a few tunes. The Dukes played a solid show. The band ripped into a few covers to round out the show - the Chamber's Brothers "Time Has Come Today," the Rolling Stones "Sweet Virginia" and Elvis Costello's "(What's So Funny) About Peace, Love and Understanding." Whew! Good stuff.