Joe Ely Gets Personal
Rob Dickens
Posted On October 9, 2015
Texas singer/songwriting troubadour Joe Ely has been a significant force in the alternative country scene for decades. Ely was born in Amarillo and followed his family to Lubbock, both in the northern-most region of Texas referred to as The Panhandle. This region is known for its flat, dry and vast wind-swept plains. It is this environment that has helped form his story-telling over many years.
With almost twenty solo recordings, a member of The Flatlanders (with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock) and numerous key collaborations throughout an illustrious career, this makes for an impressive CV. Now living in Austin Texas, he’s also recently been recognised as the Official Texas State Musician for 2016.
Panhandle Rambler (out on his own label Rack’em Records in September 2015) is his first release since 2011’s Satisfied At Last. The new record is a stylish outing throughout. The songs are deeply personal and reflect his experiences with the spirited characters of this world and its gritty environment. The production here is especially good.
The opener “Wounded Creek” speaks of a troubling scene involving a young girl with a somewhat mysterious ending. A similar mood infuses “Coyotes Are Howlin’”, with a story so vivid you feel like wiping the dust out of your eye. “When The Nights Are Cold” is immensely comforting, while “Early In The Mornin’” and “Wonderin’ Where” contains wonderful recollections of past experiences. “Southern Eyes” has a nice Texas shuffle backdrop and “Four Ol’ Brokes” is a colourful hobo tale. “Burden Of Your Load” talks of a gypsy, a mighty wind, evil, a black Chevrolet and inspirational persistence in life.
“Here’s To The Weary” is a tribute to ‘restless souls chasing crazy dreams’, pioneering heroes such as Woody Guthrie, Bob Wills, Muddy Waters and Pinetop Perkins. “Cold Black Hammer” is perhaps even the best yet – it slides gracefully through the air like wafting smoke and the playing is perfectly sublime. By the time you get through to the closing song “You Saved Me”, you know you have witnessed a stylish and elegant storybook.
All songs were written by Ely bar “Magdalene” (Guy Clark and Ray Stephenson) and “When The Nights Are Cold” (Butch Hancock).
The album was recorded in Spur Studios Austin and produced by Ely. It features a long line of musicians including the great Lloyd Maines (father of Natalie) and the legendary Kenny Vaughn to name just two. A special mention though should go to the spanish and flamenco guitarists (Jeff Plankenhorn and Teye Wijnterp respectively), as well as the accordion and keyboardist Joel Guzman whose influence on the sound and the mood cannot be overstated.
The result is an exquisite and deeply felt collection.
Panhandle Rambler is a moving tribute from a class act.
