WINNIPEG -- Listening to Steve Earle makes you proud to be a Canadian.

Earle isn't ashamed to be an American; he just isn't too happy with the way things are going in his home country and isn't afraid to let anyone know.

The roots-rocker and his backing band, The Dukes, delivered a blistering show full of tales of an America on the edge last night in front of a crowd of 1,400 at the Burton Cummings Theatre.

The first part of the concert was filled with songs from his latest album, Jerusalem, expressing his disillusion with the post-Sept. 11 United States.

He didn't do much talking initially, preferring to let songs like Amerika V. 6.0, Ashes to Ashes, What's a Simple Man To Do?, Conspiracy Theory and the controversial John Walker's Blues speak for themselves.

"I love coming up here but on this tour, playing these songs, it's more fun to do 'em down there," he said before slowing down and showing his softer side on My Old Friend the Blues and Someday from his 1986 debut album, Guitar Town.

He also spoke of the need to keep Canada and the U.S. separate countries lest we lose our national identity, free health care and trade unions.

The gritty storyteller and his band looked and sounded like they just stepped out of a roadhouse in the southern U.S. They were never flashy, but rocked when they wanted to blast it out, and toned it down when it was called for. The four-piece group was occasionally backed by a keyboardist, a percussionist playing a garbage can and backup vocalist Garrison Starr.

Despite the large quantities of beer consumed by the middle-aged crowd, there were no drunken shouts for his biggest hit, Copperhead Road, which usually plague Earle during his live sets. But when he did play it 45 minutes in, the crowd let him know they appreciated it.

With a set that was at times thought-provoking, touching and emotional, Earle proved he is one of country music's most straightforward, honest songwriters who has the fortunate ability to write a melody that sticks in your head.

But with his anti-authoritarian stance, Earle will always be an outsider in the world of mainstream country music. And that will be just fine with everyone. (More on Steve Earle)

JAM! Rating: 4.5 out of 5