Liner Note Author: Rich Kienzle.

Recording information: 1983 - 1997.

Even before he became a controversial, polarizing figure in the early 2000s with such stark and politically-charged songs as the terrorism-themed "John Walker's Blues," Steve Earle was too rough-edged and too ornery to fit neatly into any Nashville box. The outstanding 18-track anthology THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION gathers the highlights of Earle's early career, from 1986's country-rock stomper "Guitar Town" to 1997's sardonic "Christmas In Washington." Though Earle's lyrical themes and melodic style are as country as Hank Williams (clearly his biggest influence), he's also a disciple of the Rolling Stones ("Dead Flowers" gets a respectfully raucous cover) and Gram Parsons-era Flying Burrito Brothers. With the Dukes, Earle offered a gritty update on Parsons's "cosmic American music," which gave the staid Nashville scene of the '80s a shot in the arm and helped pave the way for the punkier alt-country movement of the '90s. Earle's personal demons prevented him from becoming a country superstar in his early days, but THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION features some of the most powerful country music of its time.