Midchuck, you nailed it right on the head with your commentary about "Train A' Comin'." As chance would have it, my copy of "Train A' Comin'" just happens to be in my office right now, so thanks to you I'm listening to it right now! You're right about Norman's break on "Tom Ames' Prayer," but also: Norman's wonderful but short "Northern Winds." As the liner notes say, "shut up and learn something."

And, "Ben McCulloch" is one of the best story songs I've heard in a long, long time.

I know a lot of Steve Earle's work is very rock 'n' roll, but this album is pretty darned folky. It's my favorite of his, and that's saying something, as much as I like his other albums.

Den, if you have heard this album then you've heard at least one Townes Van Zandt song: "Tecumseh Valley." Others you may have heard but not realized were his are "If I Needed You" and "Pancho and Lefty."

My breath as hard as kerosene,

Chris