Joe Ely - Honky Tonk Masquerade

In which our hero befriends the Clash and amps it up even more than usual.

I bought this album on the advice of the late 80s Rolling Stone guide, something about the Clash, five stars. I didn't really get the Clash thing upon listening, nothing particularly punky about the album, but the songs are all classics. Of course "Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown" was a classic already b/c of the Flatlanders, though I don't know how well-known they were in 1978.

I voted for "West Texas Waltz" for its lyrical double helices in the sky over Lubbock.

killer album. voted for "boxcars."

Between "Downtown" and the title track for me. Went with the latter. (And though I always liked this album, I wouldn't say it towers above Down On The Drag or Musta Notta Gotta Lotta, which I always felt were a bit underrated. Have the self-titled debut on CD, too, and picked up a copy of his weird mid '80s synthy AOR LP Hi Res for $1 last year. But these days if I had to vote for a favorite Ely LP, I'd go with Live Shots, I think.)

I remember having a Flatlanders reissue (I think?) on maybe Charly Records out of the U.K. in the early '80s; not sure whether it was available by 1978 or not. I get the idea they were barely known at all then.

"West Texas Waltz" - so good.

perfect album - Jericho, Boxcars or in a rowdy pre-saturday night Jerry Lee Lewis mood i might even vote for Fingernails.

thanks for excuse to listen again.

Oh, wait, Xhuxx's post reminded me that it was "Musta Notta Gotta Lotta" that captured Ely post Clash tour (he sings backup on "Should I Stay Or Should I Go," too; impressive that he was on the Clash's radar). But yeah, this one and self-titled are awesome. I have a remastered two-fer combining them.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-joe-ely-stolen-guitar-theft-burglary-20130313,0,7713031.story

Stolen 27 years ago, returned now, and nearly stolen again

What an ugly guitar.

I was expecting some vintage Fender or something, not some blue active pickup monstrosity.

Made a cdr of this and the s/t for the car--such sick steel playing on both!

Lloyd Maines?

Yes, Maines. this album is sick. shame about a low poll response

I need to listen to this some more

classic all the way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYeqHRPOuiM

Kinda bummed I missed him last night live nearby in Alexandria, Virginia. Just noticed this recent special thing about Lubbock he did:

http://www.broadwayworld.com/houston/article/BWW-Reviews-Jaston-Williams-Joe-Elys-LIFE-AFTER-LUBBOCK-Shines-Big-and-Bright-20131110

The writer acknowledged being unfamiliar with Ely, but there's a little substance in there

http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2000-05-19/77249/

Circa 2000 article with Ely re meeting the Clash and hanging out and playing on bills with them

"They told me they were coming to America and I asked where they wanted to play. 'Laredo, El Paso' -- they were naming off all these gunfighter ballad towns from Marty Robbins songs. 'Well I don't know about that,' I said, 'but we could play Lubbock together.' And they were like, 'Lubbock! All right!'

Anybody know about this:

Ely's new novel, Reverb: An Odyssey, published by our LettersAt3amPress

http://www.lancecowanmedia.com/#!texas-music/c12cs

cover story in a Texas music mag, mentions novel and new album

Saw him do a casual, laidback folk-rock meets Tex-mex gig with great Tex-Mex style/conjunto accordionist Joel Guzman last night. Some good stories in between about Texas life. Nice encore duet with female opening act Lucette on "The Long Black Veil" (I know the Johnny Cash version). Harmonies...

Joe Ely's got a new album out--- Panhandle Rambler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WH5aMHachY

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/obituaries/joe-ely-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E8.8YQ4.yNgBAC4uYLWc&smid=url-share

Oh no, Joe Ely dead at 78 from Parkinson's and more

Damn. So many great Ely shows I got to see. A legend. He taught Joe Strummer Spanish.

First of The Flatlanders to go. RIP.

Last time I saw Springsteen near Houston he brought out Ely. I hooted and hollered but I don't think most in attendance had any clue who he was. "Fingernails" is definitely not the best song on this album but it deserved a vote.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/joe-ely-legacy-and-posthumous-album/

You might have to register to read this for free, but one should do so. Very touching article about Joe Ely that was posted on the Springsteen thread, as Bruce had his doctors contact El's doctors to help him