Ghosts of West Virginia centers on the Upper Big Branch coal mine explosion that killed twenty-nine men in that state in 2010, making it one of the worst mining disasters in American history. When asked about what drove him to craft his deeply evocative new album, Steve Earle says, “I thought that, given the way things are now, it was maybe my responsibility to make a record that spoke to and for people who didn’t vote the way that I did,” he says. “One of the dangers that we’re in is if people like me keep thinking that everybody who voted for Trump is a racist or an asshole, then we’re fucked, because it’s simply not true. So this is one move toward something that might take a generation to change. I wanted to do something where that dialogue could begin.” In ten deftly drawn, roughly eloquent, powerfully conveyed sonic portraits, Earle and his long-time band the Dukes explore the historical role of coal in rural communities. More than merely a question of jobs and income, mining has provided a sense of unity and meaning, patriotic pride and purpose “I said I wanted to speak to people that didn’t necessarily vote the way that I did,” he says, “but that doesn’t mean we don’t have anything in common. We need to learn how to communicate with each other. My involvement in this project is my little contribution to that effort. And the way to do that – and to do it impeccably – is simply to honor those guys who died at Upper Big Branch.” SIDE A: Heaven Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere Union, God and Country Devil Put the Coal in the Ground John Henry was a Steel Drivin’ Man Time is Never on Our Side SIDE B: It’s About Blood If I Could See Your Face Again Black Lung Fastest Man Alive The Mine
- Handling Time Note: Please allow an additional 72 business hours for this item's shipment.
- Format: Vinyl
- Limited Edition
- Mono
- Blue & Black Swirl Color Vinyl
- Genre: Folk, Country
- Remember, for our lowest prices, always order directly from our official JocoRecords website!
TRACKS
A1 Heaven Ain't Goin' Nowhere
A2 Union, God And Country
A3 Devil Put The Coal In The Ground
A4 John Henry Was A Steel Drivin' Man
A5 Time Is Never On Our Side
B1 It's About Blood
B2 If I Could See Your Face Again
B3 Black Lung
B4 Fastest Man Alive
B5 The Mine
