Steve Earle. To Hell and Back.

Steve Earle tuvo que cumplir tres requisitos para obtener la libertad condicional: demostrar que estaba limpio de sustancias ilegales, hablar en público en un programa de sensibilización sobre los efectos de las drogas y ofrecer un concierto gratuito para los reclusos. Y Earle cumplió las tres. El 25 de junio de 1996 ofreció junto a su banda (The Dukes) un bolo repleto de pasión y actitud punk en el Correccional de Cold Creek. La MTV lo grabó, y lo emitió el 17 de Agosto y se puede encontrar en la Red. Se trata de un impresionante documento sonoro de un Steve dispuesto a comerse el mundo. El bolo apenas dura 46 minutos que supongo supieron a gloria a los reclusos. Earle da cancha a su disco recién editado, I feel alright y se intercalan las imágenes del concierto con testimonios del propio Earle y de algunos reclusos. Apoteósico.

In the middle of the nightIn the middle of lonely nightStands alone in the pale moonlightScreams out in defiance

He's got no one to turn toYou could talk 'til you turn blueHe'd just turn his back on youAin't no compromising

Because he's totally untamedNo fear of the unnamedOh man he'll take the blame'Cause someone's gotta do it, someone's gotta

He's now out on the highwayHe's got the key and the right of wayHis tank is full and his toll's paidHellbound and determined

He run a dangerous payloadWhen he comes to the crossroadsAh, man it's all timed to explode'Cause you do see the sky burnin'

Because he's totally untamedNo fear of the unnamedHey man he'll take the blameSomeone's gotta do it, someone's gotta

Now he's standin' at hell's doorWith a bad attitude and a forty-fourThe Devil said, "What's up manNow what you come here for?"

He said, "Man, let's just get to it"He said, "I always heard that you were the bad oneThere's a few places I ain't been, a few things I ain't doneYou got your pitchfork and I got my gunSomeone's gotta do it"

'Cause he's totally untamedAnd no fear of the unnamedHey man he'll take the blame'Cause someone's gotta do it

'Cause he's totally untamedAnd no fear of the unnamedStand up like a man and take the whole blame'Cause someone's gotta do it

Someone's gottaSomone's gottaSomone's gottaTotally untamed