Joe Ely - The Best Of Joe Ely

Artist:

Ely, Joe

UPC:

008817015125

See Also:

Silverstein, Shel Bare, Bobby Los Super Seven Walker, Jerry Jeff

Description:

Personnel includes: Joe Ely, Butch Hancock (vocals).
Producers: Bob Johnston, Michael Brovsky, Joe Ely, Tony Brown.
Compilation producer: Andy McKaie.
Originally released on MCA Records. Includes liner notes by John Morthland.
Digitally remastered by Doug Schwartz (Audio Mechanics).
For all his critical hosannas, Joe Ely is something of an acquired taste, since his rebellious neo-traditionalist country fluctuates between heartfelt honky tonk evocations, self-conscious modern-day mocking, and material that falls somewhere in between. He did cut a series of albums that were acclaimed and influential, including the rollicking Live Shots, one the great country live albums of its time, but MCA Nashville`s 2000 The Best of Joe Ely is the best introduction to his sound and aesthetic. Spanning his career from his 1977 debut to 1995`s Letter to Laredo, this touches on every defining moment Ely had, including songs that he initially cut with the Flatlanders. In this setting, his blend of honky tonk, folk, and rock & roll is remarkably effective and consistent, with "She Never Spoke Spanish to Me," "Tonight I Think I`m Gonna Go Downtown," "Musta Notta Gotta Lotta," and "Letter to Laredo" all standing out as progressive/alternative country classics. Given his cult status -- the kind of cult where all his recordings are acclaimed equally -- this is the best way for outsiders to fall in love with Ely. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. She Never Spoke Spanish to Me
2. Suckin` a Big Bottle of Gin
3. Tennessee`s Not the State I`m In
4. Boxcars
5. Tonight I Think I`m Gonna Go Downtown
6. Honky Tonk Masquerade
7. West Texas Waltz
8. Fools Fall in Love
9. Standin` at the Big Hotel
10. Musta Notta Gotta Lotta
11. Dallas
12. Fingernails
13. Long Snake Moan
14. Cool Rockin` Loretta
15. Settle For Love
16. Me and Billy the Kid
17. If You Were a Bluebird
18. Letter to Laredo
19. Roll Again
20. All Just to Get to You

Album Information

Release Date:

11/21/2000

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Rock & Pop

Subgenre:

Country Rock

Label:

MCA Nashville

Catalog Number:

AA881701512

Original Release Year:

2000

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Mixed

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Runtime:

76 : 42

Guest Artist:

Butch Hancock

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