Search - Joe Ely :: Silver City

+ 1/2 stars...Acoustic Versions of Pre-Fame Joe Ely Songs

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 06/05/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Joe Ely turned 60 last February, and it must have invigorated him. During the previous decade he only released two studio albums (1998's TWISTIN' IN THE WIND and 2003's STREETS OF SIN). We're not even half way through 2007 and Ely's already released his second album of the year. First was the February release of HAPPY SONGS FROM RATTLESNAKE GULCH (on his own label RACK 'Em Records) and now SILVER CITY just months later. Both albums came about as a result of Ely's first published book earlier this year, "Bonfire of Roadmaps," which consists of Ely's journal entries from a life on the road.



All of the songs on SILVER CITY pre-date his 1977 MCA self-titled debut. However, while these songs were all written during the span of 1968 to 1973 (hence the photo of a very young smirking Joe Ely on the cover), they are all new recordings. According to Ely, "Cloister Mountain" and "Billy Boy" (the longest song by far at 7:27) were the earliest songs, with "Silver City" being the most recent. [Note: Two of these songs have appeared in full band arrangements on earlier albums. "Time for Travelin'" was on 1979's DOWN ON THE DRAG, and "Silver City" was on 1987's LORD OF THE HIGHWAY. In addition, "Indian Cowboy" was on the 2004 Flatlander's album WHEELS OF FORTUNE with Butch Hancock handling vocals.]



But on this album, all songs are presented in an acoustic format with Ely accompanying himself on guitar. ("Cloister Mountain" adds harmonica, and "Windy Windy Windy" includes accordion.) These unplugged renditions provide an intimacy to these songs and provide a glimpse into Ely's formative years as a songwriter. For fans (including me) who enjoyed such albums as JOE ELY and HONKY TONK MASQUERADE, this is a welcome addition. [Running Time - 35:41] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Sparse genious.

Once a soldier... | Spain. | 06/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Joe Ely with Joel Guzmán in concert three or four years ago. It was fabulous. This record shows that spirit. It is a studio recording, so the sound is perfect and current. Excellent."

New recordings of great older songs

Derek M. Koch | KS United States | 06/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thought from the packaging that this was going to be old recordings from joes early days.Instead we get Joe and Mr. Guzman with fresh,invigorated versions of older songs,many new to me at a great price.Dont pass this up."