Justin Townes Earle sings 'Midnight' songs

Justin Townes Earle's most recent album, last year's "Midnight At the Movies," turned up on more than a few music critics' "best of" lists for 2009, for good reason.

The disc, a concise collection of country and honky-tonk tunes, is exceptional. Earle, the son of singer/songwriter Steve Earle, writes in a spare, evocative style that lends itself to complex songs that take on different meanings on multiple listens.

He's playing Frankie's Inner-City Saturday night and will feature songs from "Midnight" along with tunes from his "Harlem City Blues" disc, which is scheduled for release Sept. 14.

Earle won 2009 Best New and Emerging Artist honors in the Americana Music Awards and he routinely racks up kudos for his work. His song, "Mama's Eyes" was picked in Esquire magazine's "Top 50 Songs Every Man Should Be Listening To" feature because, "... this is what it is to be somebody's son. Anybody's son. Score one for Steve Earle's kid: It took Dad much longer to write anything this universally significant."

Born in 1982, Earle has been making music all his life. He has released three albums, one a year since 2007.

Tickets are $12 in advance and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 419-474-1333, ticketmaster.com, and at Culture Clash, 419-536-5683, and Ramalama Records, 419-531-7625. Tickets will be $15 at the door. Frankie's is at 308 Main St.