On Tuesday night December 17th, Steve Earle hosted his fifth annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit for the Keswell School at Town Hall in New York City. John Henry is his Earle’s youngest son who has Autism and he attends the Keswell School which challenges students to accomplish in aspects of school life, and prepares them for the fullest possible engagement in the world.
Earle invited some of his friends to perform at the sold-out show while others invited themselves to be a part of this special night. First up was the duo of The Mastersons (Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore) who sang two brand new Americana influenced tunes from their upcoming album and exited the stage before their headlining act as part of The Dukes.
Josh Ritter practically ran onstage beaming as the MC Earle mentioned that he didn’t have to recruit Ritter for this show, he sort Earle out and volunteered. Ritter was in dynamite form, evoking all of the folk artists who have played the historic venue in the past as he strummed and plucked his way through moving songs like “Henrietta, Indiana” and the emotional “Our Fathers War”. He was in command on the stage delivering his Mummy love song “The Curse” and talking about when he first moved to New York City spending all of his time in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He then invited the Dukes on stage to support him rocking out to “Getting Ready to Get Down” in joyous fashion.
Next up was the husband and wife team of Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires who split their time on stage taking lead. Shires was up first as she powerfully sang and played her violin with acoustic guitar backing on the sashaying “Parking Lot Pirouette” before telling a story of not wanting their daughter to grow up to play in a modern-day country pop band. She mentioned forming a band of her own to help keep that from happening and played the Highwomen theme song (which is an updated take on “The Highwayman”) with affecting grace and strength.
Isbell started off with a new song off of his recently completed album before his two best love songs, delivered with his wife supporting vocally and emotionally, “If We Were Vampires” and “Cover Me Up” rang through the hall. Steve Earle and The Dukes then performed a set of hits starting strong with Earle stating right from the top that he hopes for “no more autism and no more guns” launching into “The Devil’s Right Hand”.
The strumming continued for “Someday” and the strutting “Guitar Town” before the more laid back nuanced delivery of “My Old Friend The Blues”. The mandolins and steel guitars took center stage for “Harlan Man”, the folk stomping of “Little Emperor” and the duel Celtic influenced jams of “Galway Girl and “Johnny Comes Marching Home” which was prefaced by a cool story about meeting the Pogues in North London.
The more acoustic-based rockers worked a better in the venue because when The Dukes really went after it with metal flourishes like on “Copper Head Road” and “Fixin’ To Die” the sound system was stressed with some sonic feedback issues. However, all players were in fine form, even after having recently lost their long-time bassist Kelley Looney.
Earle talk emotionally about the loss and questioned even continuing the Dukes, but felt Looney would want him to, and then played a stirring full-band rendition of the old folk song “He Was a Friend of Mine” which was a show highlight, along with their cover of “Hey Joe” with modern-day Presidential lyrical barbs sprinkled in.
All participants returned to the stage for the encore, a rollicking version of Crosby Stills & Nash “Teach the Children Well” with Isbell taking a solo on the electric guitar as Ritter and Earle sang lead with Shires and Isbell supporting vocally to wrap up a successful night of raising funds, awareness and spirits.
If you would like to donate to the Keswell School you can do so here: https://www.keswellschool.org/get-involved
