2021 on New West
Limited edition on Chicago Cubs red vinyl
Gatefold sleeve
still sealed
On the album "J.T.," Steve Earle & The Dukes honor Steve's late son Justin Townes Earle (J.T.), who passed away in Nashville on August 20, 2020.
"The album is called J.T. because Justin never had another name until he was almost an adult. Well, when he was little, I called him Cowboy," Steve Earle explains. "For better or worse, right or wrong, I loved Justin Townes Earle more than anything in this world. That being said, like every other record I've ever made, I made this record for me. It was the only way I knew how to say goodbye."
The poignant "Harlem River Blues" is one of Justin's best-known compositions and was honored with the title of "Song of the Year" at the 2011 Americana Music Awards after Justin won in the Emerging Artist of the Year category in 2009. Watch Justin's original recording of "Harlem River Blues," which was the title track of his 2010 album, here.
On "J.T." steve Earle & The Dukes cover ten of Justin's songs - "I Don't Care," which appeared on his 2007 debut EP "Yuma," three songs from longplay debut "The Good Life" ("Ain't Glad I'm Leaving, " "Far Away In Another Town" and "Lone Pine Hill") to later compositions like "Champagne Corolla" (2017) and "The Saint Of Lost Causes" (2019), the title track from Justin's eighth and final studio album. "J.T." closes with "Last Words," a song Steve wrote for Justin
100% of the artist proceeds and royalties from "J.T." will be donated to a trust for Etta St. James Earle, the three-year-old daughter of Justin and Jenn Earle. Though somber in parts, the album is ultimately a stirring celebration of a life lived with passion and purpose. The recording features the latest incarnation of Steve's backing band, The Dukes - Chris Masterson on guitar, Eleanor Whitmore on fiddle & vocals, Ricky Ray Jackson on pedal steel, guitar & dobro, Brad Pemberton on drums & percussion and Jeff Hill on acoustic & electric bass.
