Steve Earle

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The rest of the album dives into territory both gruff and fun: stories of OxyContin tragedies and late-night DJs wondering if anyone's listening. In fact, "Satellite Radio" — with its unashamed digital production (a big topic among crabby Earle purists) — is my favorite track here.

But Earle's life right now isn't just the where or the what — it's also the with whom. "Sparkle and Shine" is a sweet paean to his wife, the fine singer-songwriter Allison Moorer, whose voice graces many of the album's songs. In "Days Aren't Long Enough" Earle and Moorer give every line a passionate harmony, as if they can't bear to be alone even for a single word.

Steve Earle and Allison Moorer are at the Michigan Theater on Wednesday, March 5.

[Review published March 2008]