Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle performed their duet to a nearly-sold out audience at Thalia Hall Friday, August 5 in support of their recently released album, "Colvin and Earle."  They were clearly proud of their accomplishment as they performed all ten songs from the CD plus the three bonus songs from the deluxe edition.  "Colvin and Earle" consists of six songs written by Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle, and one, "You're Still Gone", co-written with Julie Miller.  The CD also includes covers by the Rolling Stones "Ruby Tuesday", the Beatles "Baby's in Black", and Emmylou Harris "Raise the Dead". A few times they mentioned from the stage they would be signing copies after the show. They did not mind "Pimping the Record" in Earle's own words.

The crowd was engaged with Colvin's guitar playing, and Earle's versatile skills on guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and the octave mandolin (bouzouki).  Trading vocals throughout the night demonstrated they are a natural pair. Their decades of touring and recording experience shined through.  Upon introducing "Someday" Earle reflected about how he began his musical career, lost record deals, and how seeing Bruce Springsteen inspired his own musicianship.  Earle also mentioned a past show at the Park West in Chicago as one of his career highlights.  'Chicago is one of my favorite places', The audience affirmed that comment with cheers.  When a fan shouted from the audience "I love you Steve," Colvin commented back "Love is in the air". To Earle's reply "This is Chicago!" prompting a good laugh. The audience's participation for  "Tell Moses"  further demonstrated the affectionate bond between the duet and the fans.  

Colvin performed her 1998 Grammy Song of the Year "Sunny Came Home," as well as "That Don't Worry Me Now".  The later also appears on the deluxe edition of "Colvin and Earle." Earle played "Burnin' it Down" and a spirited version of "Galway Girl."  The show concluded with a three song encore, The Beatles "Baby's in Black," Colvin's "Diamond in the Rough," and Earle's fan favorite "Copperhead Road."  This audience went home pleased and energized with the performance.

SETLIST:

1.  Wake Up Little Susie (Everly Brothers cover)

2.  Come What May

3.  You Were on My Mind

4.  Raise the Dead (Emmylou Harris cover)

5.  Ruby Tuesday (Rolling Stones cover)

6.  Tobacco Road (Nashville Teens cover)

7.  That Don't Worry Me Now (Shawn Colvin song)

8.  Someday (Steve Earle song)

9.  The Way That We Do

10. You're Right (I'm Wrong)

11. Burnin' it Down (Steve Earle song)

12. Sunny Came Home (Shawn Colvin song)

13. Galway Girl (Steve Earle song)

14. Happy and Free

15. Tell Moses

16. You're Still Gone

ENCORE:

17. Baby's in Black (Beatles song)

18. Diamond in the Rough (Shawn Colvin song)

19. Copperhead Road (Steve Earle song)