Joe Ely

In terms of contributions to Americana as we now know it, there are not many more influential than Joe Ely. The Texas singer has been hard at it from the mid 1970s through until today, and this 2 CD set looks to capture the progression of his career. There are 41 songs here, and definitive this collection certainly is.

Ely released his first solo album in 1977 and the first six tracks here are from that eponymous album, including the terrific If You Were A Bluebird, one of a number of songs penned by Butch Hancock. It was soon after that debut solo album that Ely met The Clash in London and that encounter had significant baring on the rockier sound he later developed. Tracks like Dallas, with its bluesy feel, begin to show that, as well as the Ely co-write Cool Rockin' Loretta.

It is notable that in terms of chart success, Ely has had relatively little impact - and it is not until the 1990s and beyond that his albums reach even lowly places in the country listings. Where he began to make his name was with tremendous live performances, and that was captured superbly on 1990's Live at Liberty Lunch, one of the best live albums ever released. From that album Row Of Dominoes is included here while another highlight of CD2 the wonderful story song The Road Goes On Forever, with Ely's voice and guitar in fine form on a tale about a modern day Bonnie & Clyde.

There is also a sprinkling of tracks from his Spanish/American phase of the 90s, with the gorgeous All Just To Get To You from the album Letter To Laredo. This is by far the best collection from Ely's career - and if you add the Liberty Lunch album into your collection - you will be fully covered. A great talent, that only towards the end of his career, are people beginning to fully appreciate.