Search - Joe Ely :: Joe Ely/Honky Tonk Masquerade

Joe Ely's Country-Rock Masterpieces

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 02/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These two late-Seventies albums (his 1977 debut and 1978 follow-up) are watershed marks in Joe Ely's career. Ely and his band combine country, honky-tonk and Tex-Mex sounds with a rock 'n' roll attitude and churn out an exciting blend of country-rock music. On both albums the band included lead guitarist Jesse Taylor and steel guitar player Lloyd Maines. Accordian player Ponty Bone was brought on board for the second album (tracks 11-20). While these two albums may not have quite the same energy level as 1981's Live Shots, these two albums come awfully close.In addition to being a powerful singer, Ely is an excellent songwriter. He wrote ten of the tracks here, including the rocking "Cornbread Moon," the plaintive "Honky Tonk Masquerade" and the Jerry Lee Lewis-inspired "Fingernails." Except for the Hank Williams classic "Honky Tonkin'," the other nine tracks were written by his former Flatlanders bandmates and fellow Texans Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Hancock wrote the gorgeous "She Never Spoke Spanish To Me" and the hilarious "West Texas Waltz," among others. [Note: On 1995's Letter To Loredo, Ely recorded Hancock's follow-up song "She Finally Spoke Spanish To Me."] Gilmore contributes "Treat Me Like a Saturday Night" and "Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown."While Ely's record sales never matched his critical acclaim, these are essential purchases. Almost twenty-five years later, Ely still is making quality music--his latest is last year's Live At Antone's--but this is the place to start. ESSENTIAL"

The original vinyl is an ancient memory...

Stevan Coleman | Lubbock, TX | 03/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...but Joey's early music is timeless. Alternately simple and musical, toe-tapping and lyrical, or occasionally loud and rockin', Ely's early band did a little bit of it all. But the predominant styles are rockin' honky-tonk and ballads.



Looking back on it now, living in Lubbock when Joey and the boys first took flight was a distinctly treasured time. Whether at the old Cotton Club on Highway 84, or the long defunct (and always funky) Fat Dawg's on 4th Street, his band never failed to bring the house down. Just like Stevie Ray Vaughn at Stubb's B-B-Q on east Broadway, as good as Joey's early recorded music is, it only hints at the foot-stomping jaw-dropping good-timing sessions his crew could lay down in a small club atmosphere.



As mentioned elsewhere, Jesse "Guitar" Taylor and Lloyd Maines each made their presence well-felt while Joey belted out the vocals. Lloyd's pedal steel wailed when called upon. Before hearing Lloyd, I used to think the only electrified guitar worth listening to hung from a shoulder. And the accordian-squeezing land surveyor P. Bone always added just enough funkiness to the mix so that you didn't completely lose your head. Guest appearances by other local talent, including my ex-boss, Tommie Anderson (may he rest in peace), always added a little bit of variety to make each show unique. You always knew where you were eventually gonna' get to with Joey, you just never quite knew exactly how.



It's too bad they won't let you listen to the samples here. This studio disc captures what it can of that early Ely music, and it's still a favorite. The two-fer is a great deal. Buy it, listen to it a couple times with a beer or two in tow, and just try not to smile. Go ahead and sing along...it won't hurt ya'."

Terrific Texas Music and Essential

Mark Blevins | Lindside, WV United States | 07/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc is a great bargain because you get two fantastic albums on one. The out-of-print album "Joe Ely" contains a number of fine songs, including "If You Were a Bluebird," "Treat me Like a Saturday Night," and "Tennessee's Not the State I'm In." Several songs were written by Butch Hancock and one was written by Jimmie Dale Gilmore, both of whom were in the Flatlanders with Ely. A great album!"Honky Tonk Masquerade" is even better, though. It's songs are full of rich imagery and a sound that mixes honky tonk, Tex-Mex and rock and roll into a satisfying brew all its own. I never get tired of listening to these albums. And with both on one disc, it makes it even sweeter. You can't go wrong getting this disc!"