Which leaves the cover version and it’s a song that shows even more how close Earle was to the mainstream rock crowd. “State Trooper” originally appeared on Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska album with a very sparse arrangement, Earle, though, gives it the full band treatment without loosing the song's air of desperation. Many of Earle’s songs of the period have a Springsteen feel to them so it’s no surprise he does such a good job on "State Trooper."
This DVD isn’t really a true representation of Earle live, it would need to be double the running time for that. It does provide a snapshot of one of the most important songwriters of his generation at an early point in his development and it offers an hours worth of classic country-rock.
The DVD
Video
The concert is presented 4:3 as it was filmed. The picture is a little soft but that has more to do with the source material than any fault with the transfer. In fact, it probably looks better here than it did when broadcast.
Audio
You get two choices Dolby Digital Stereo or 5.1 Surround. The latter is the preferred option as by moving the crowd noise to the rear speakers it allows more breathing room for the music. Spread across the front three speakers each instrument sounds clear with the only complaint being a slight deficiency in the bass department.
Extras
None at all, unless you count the ability to select an individual song an extra.
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