Honky Tonk Masquerade

Might as well just be one big song about whatever the fuck a honky tonk is

Score: 70 Album art: 50 Dirty dirty fingernails Why does this guy want to hear his nails clacking on piano? It's very strange. Anyway, the first song is really fantastic. After hearing it I asked myself, is this really going to be an amazing country album?? Sadly the answer is no, but it is definitely good! I listened to the 2022 remaster and I don't know how much of this is the remaster but this thing is produced and mixed immaculately. Sure the mixing is flat but it's by no means bad. It's corny and cheesy but I was never groaning or upset with what I was hearing. Compared to modern country music that alone is an insane compliment. Also I could be wrong but I don't think there was a single mention of a truck so props for that. My personal enjoyment of this album is around a 3 as I'm not a huge country fan, but it's clear to me this is a cut above the rest so I'm giving it a 4

Late 70's country...you can hear the 80's on the horizon. Nasty slide and electric tones throughout. Some corny bits here and there but some bangers too. At its best when the West Texas vibes come through.

Joe be looking pretty fly on the cover and Cornbread Moon is a great song title. A mix of honky tonk, and classic Texas country, it can be a little corny, but I think it's easy to listen to. Great voice, with nice clear production. If you are not a country fan, I don't think you'd hate this but it probably won't change your mind about it. It is definitely way better than whatever the hell they're making now. Some of the slower songs sound samey but Boxcars is an absolute standout.

Honky Tonk is the worst combination of words known to man

Ok this was cool - a little bit country, a little bit rock n roll ha ha! I'll never listen to it again but it's an easy 4/5.

So this thing was just added to the list for some reason, no? Slip past the censors or something? I'm glad someone threw it a life preserver, because this baby slaps and slaps hard. It walks a fine line of suggesting what country rock would become, all the while remaining both timeless and of it's time. Ely's vocals at times remind me of everyone from Poco, Randy Meisner (himself a founding member of both Poco and the Eagles), Jeff Freaking Lynne, Townes Van Zandt, and Gram Parsons. And you can also hear how future country greats like George Strait and Dwight Yoakam were influenced by this. Anyone who suggests this album to be in the running for consideration as one of the greatest country music albums ever will get no argument from yours truly. No wonder The Clash loved this dude. I thought this was my first exposure to Joe Ely, but it turns out I've been listening to him for years: Ely provided backing vocals on "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" with the aforementioned Clash.

I've never heard of Joe Ely before, but this was a decently fun album to listen to. It definitely oozes the feeling of Texas country from that time period, with sounds of rock and rockabilly mixed in. "Cornbread Moon," "Fingernails," and the title track are the standout songs here, but everything else feels a bit like filler. It's not bad filler, but it definitely pales in comparison to the rest of the album in my opinion. Even though I wasn't blown away by this, I'd still give Joe Ely another listen.

All those times I said I liked "anything but country and rap", turns out I was lying.

Crisp, killer country. A strong, nearly suite-like set of songs. In the modern tradition, there's some knowing humor to the songs but also moments of real pathos. Editors are right: this man should be much better known.

Honky Tonk Country Rock + a Moog synthesizer... Does that work? Hell yeah it does and this album is a great example as to why and how. It's a passionate Country record that seems to push the genre onto new paths while still holding true to what it is: an American genre that depicts the simple life of an American in different ways. Yes, it does sometimes slip into different things like it does here with the whole Outlaw Country imagery but it still seems rather "simple" (in a good way) than let's say the philosphical aspects of some 90's Death Metal groups. It is simply beautiful and easy to devour while still having enough to offer that a full album doesn't feel shabby or boring. The opening track 'Cornbread Moon' starts things with an energetic, lush and dense Progressive Country song that is topped with a pretty good vocal delivery from Joe. The added accordion is really fun and just adds to that overall "Country vibe". It's a really fun song, that's all I can say. It does maybe try a bit too much with the way it builds tension but still, this is a great song. 'Because of the Wind' gets a bit slower and lets the synth shine a bit more while still having the typical Country instrumentation. It overall just feels more like a typical slow Country song that has some weird added bits. This type of Country music can be really effective but also easily fu**ed up which happens here. It's not bad but the way it plays out doesn't really sound all that great and the songwriting and vocal delivery seems a bit "eh." It's not a good song and I'd even go as far as to say that it's "below average". His best received song 'Boxcars' is neither as up beat as the first nor as slow as the second. But it definitely has a certain darkness to it that is amplified with the mix of some incredibly well put together accordion and synth. The false end that returns into a mix of synth and guitar solo is just a cherry on top. This song is a perfect example of Progressive Outlaw Country and I'm all for it: This is a perfect song. On 'Jericho (Your Walls Must Come Tumbling Down)' Joe Ely returns to a more groovy and faster Country song that shines with the great songwriting he put here. It's just structures so well throughout. Additionally, the lyrics and the chorus are both catchy and feel special on their own. At the end of verses, before he goes into the chorus, he does something that reminds me of another artist but I can't really pin down who... Maybe Donovan? I'm not sure but this song here is surely a great one. 'Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown' closes the first half of the album and returns to a more laid back sound but this time he does it much better. It's still not perfect or anything but it's fun, it's short and I think that it's decent. Nothing that seems disruptive but also not much great stuff. The title track 'Honky Tonk Masquerade' follows with another slow approach but not only his vocals but the entire song just feels much more emotional than on songs before and even though it isn't as great as 'Boxcars', it's still a great Country track that only messes a bit up after the bridge. 'I'll Be Your Fool' is a bit obnoxious especially because it's not as special as most other Country songs in that field of sound. The songwriting is basic, the instrumentation is boring, neither chorus/hook or lyrics have anything of value and the vocals sometimes do anything but sound good. It's a bad song, sadly. Luckily, 'Fingernails' returns with some more interesting songwriting. Yes, it's silly but also really fun. The piano works so well with the Rock & Roll style and it's just really, really playful all the way through. This feels a lot like Jerry Lee Lewis but more Country of course. It's a great song. On 'West Texas Waltz' he turns a bit to Tex Mex together with the Outlaw Country style and while it isn't bad, I am really uninterested by it. There are some moments I like but also some I really don't so it equals out to average, maybe slightly below. It's just way too long. The closing track 'Honky Tonkin'' starts off by sounding like it's about to turn into a Stones track but it of course doesn't turn Blues Rock, no it turns Honky Tonk (who would've guessed.) It's okay. There are some fun parts but even the chorus is pretty annoying and obnoxious. It's also mixed not all that good. It just turns out pretty below average with a tendency to bad but not quite. favourites: Boxcars, Honky Tonk Masquerade, Jericho (Your Walls Must Come Tumbling Down) least favourites: I'll Be Your Fool, Honky Tonkin', Because of the Wind, West Texas Waltz Rating: strong 6 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Not bad for a country album - some really nice instrumentation and the lyrics were fairly interesting/clever.

I had heard the name but wasn’t familiar with his work but I ended up really liking parts of this album. A few songs were a lot of fun and I can definitely see the appeal.

No. 208/1001 Cornbread Moon 3/5 Because of the Wild 4/5 Boxcars 3/5 Jericho 3/5 Tonight I Think 4/5 Honky Tonk Masquerade 3/5 I'll Be Your Fool 3/5 Fingernails 2/5 West Texas Waltz 3/5 Honky Tonkin' 3/5 Average: 3,1 Good country album.

Won't listen again. Competent but uninteresting 2.2

As far as country goes it's not bad. Not my style and probably won't get any future plays but wasn't terrible.

What in the west Texas hell is this

On the cover he has his capo on his guitar strap. So cool. I will definitely copy that.

Loved it! Old school country with a gentle rock edge - with catchy tunes and engaging lyrics.

Great, great record.

I would generally say I hate country, but listening to something like this makes me appreciate that what I hate is modern arena country, because this rules. I loved the rockabilly cuts the most, but even the slower and twangier tracks were enjoyable.

man I've never listened to a Joe Ely song before but this was such a good experience. he straddles that line between country and blues and rock and introduces some interesting ideas. from bluegrassy sounds in Because of the Wind and West Texas Waltz, or more country rock/blues of Honky Tonkin' or Cornbread Moon, or the ballad stuff like I Thinl I'm Gonna Go Downtown. also he sure says Honky Tonk a lot!

Another hometown hero of mine, this will probably be an acquired taste that most of y'all will not have acquired yet. Twangy vocals over country/tejano/rock 'n roll, lyrics filled with rants about the South Plains and other things that make sense to west Texans. Lighthearted, honest, and probably misunderstood by most.

Yes

Who knew Honky Tonk could be so good.

Really loving this album. This is an outlandish statement but I'm going to make it anyway: this album is to country as Kind of Blue is to jazz - as in, it's a genre defining, exemplary and well executed example (I'll stop the analogy there). Apparently this was too outside for country radio at the time, but clearly its DNA has found its way into country music that's followed it. Baffling that he opened for The Clash, and suffered abuse from their audience - but perhaps is illustrative of how this music didn't initially find its way with a mass audience (i.e. not country enough for country, not rock enough for rock). The band is tight, the songwriting solid, and his voice strikes me as an authoritative storytelling voice that is commanding and believable.

Brilliant vernacular folk music

country goodness

I'd line dance to this.

Favourite songs: Fingernails, West Texas Waltz, Cornbread Moon, Boxcars, Honky Tonkin', Jericho (Your Walls Must Come Tumbling Down), Because of the Wind, Honky Tonk Masquerade Least favourite songs: I'll Be Your Fool 5/5

Really catches the heart of Texas country. A great listen with clever lyrics and good dance songs.

Joe's vocals are great-very much enjoyed this album. Nothing like today's generic, bro country, this is the real deal if you're looking for some country music to enjoy.

Good

Didn’t think I would enjoy this but it’s awesome!

Very good. I’ll need to explore some more of his work

Great country sound!

I'm just a simple country boy. Love this album very much

Great album - easy to listen to, strong lyrics (especially Boxcars). I feel like this is what I wish Bob Dylan sounded like.

Diggin it Good dance songs 5 stars

Loved this, had never heard it before, but will definitely listen again and check out more by Ely.

I may be a honky who doesn't often tonk but this was fine. Maybe it's because I can't stand modern country that seems so intentional with the twangy accent or whatever and also how it's formulaic garbage. This is much more enjoyable and I liked it more as it went on

4 Man honky-tonk just got something

Fine and polished

A well executed country rock album. This is the sound that a lot of current country musicians are trying and failing to emulate.

I'm not 100% sure why this is on the list, but I like it! Reminds me of Byrds country era, and kinda a forerunner to Dwight Yoakam. I've been eBaying "Lot of 30 country tapes. $14!" for the past year or so, and this seems like one of the tapes I'd keep.

4/5. A solid mix of calming country and heavy blues, with soft yet powerful vocals. The production quality also elevates this one above other country albums. There are some sweet lyrics along with some heavy lower class struggles. Some super generic country songs does prevent it from being a 5 but they were enjoyable nonetheless.

Positively surprised by this one for sure. My main issues with old country music in general would be weak musicianship and uninteresting songwriting. On this album, musicianship is actually quite impressive. Joe Ely's vocals are solid and the guitar-playing is fantastic throughout. Songwriting does remain uninteresting - but still good enough to make this a very enjoyable album.

I rarely listen to country music, but this is was pretty great.

8/10. Good lyrics, and had a great sound to it. There were definitely some weaker songs scattered in, but the album was short enough that it never dragged on

Kudos for being the boppiest and most interesting country album I have ever heard since "Honky Tonk Heroes".

Country in general isn't really my genre, and this end of country particularly isn't, but I actually enjoyed this a surprising amount! I coulda done without the slower more maudlin numbers, but the upbeat tracks were quite a bop. I can see myself getting into this under cold fluorescent lighting, buzzed on cheap, nasty American beer, and surrounded by people in stetsons, and beyond them the huge skies and distant horizons of Texas... 🤠 Fave tracks - "Cornbread Moon" for sure - did a great job of winning me over straight out the gate. "Boxcars" was good too...

Surprised by how much I enjoyed it. A couple bops I listened to multiple times

Vrolijke country mag er ook zijn, 't is niet altijd weemoed

Steel's an evergreen favorite, and the playing on this record stands up to plenty of instrumental uses of the instrument without taking over the sound. It's this pop side of outlaw country, understated enough to get lost. I'm glad the list helps fix that.

This album made me smile- especially the last couple of songs

I apologize honky tonk, I was not familiar with your game

Classical country ....

A well produced album with a blend of americana and a lot more depth than a typical country album.

Joe Ely's songs are country rock, rockabilly, and ballads - he's a singer/songwriter that spent his life as a touring musician. Ely's a great story teller, and his songs reflect his skill in that role and present the lessons he acquired as a road-weary musician. Honky Tonk Masquerade was widely critically acclaimed, but not very commercially successful. It includes a collection of interesting country rock songs, showing Ely's skill as a story teller and the work of a polished, practiced band.

four stars, great stuff, good country songs performed very well.

How can you hate classic honky tonk music like this? It’s just a great listen in every way and never fails to be a fun time. It’s not quite a 5 but I know I’ll still be listening to west texas waltz and cornbread moon all of tomorrow.

Surprised by this, it's pushing country about as far as it'll go.

Not bad for country

it ain't country rock if the album doesn't begin with a song titled "cornbread moon" i guess. joe ely crafted some soothing country rock on honky tonk masquerade. he also created some really corny songs, but i find myself not caring? he did a great job making those corny songs easy as pie to listen to. not to mention, this album does not sound like it's from 1978. i'm reminded of the pleasant country sound that leans toward modernity in dwight yoakam's "buenas noches from a lonely room," also on this project, but came out in 1985. ely, in comparison, was light years ahead. btw, ely on this album cover looks like elon musk. dearest joe, i am so sorry.

Kinda folky and also swing. I liked it. Made me listen to some Johnny cash

Had no expectations for this. This is a really intriguing and crazy album. The electric vibe punctuated by the Moog synth gives it an alien feeling in the context of what I usually associate with Texad Honky Tonk Country. Really solid album and enjoyed listening to it immensely. Reading more about Joe Ely, he seems pretty sweet.

Pleasant, strong start to the album but gets a little samey

Nice country twang. Good vocals.

I can't believe I've never heard of this album. Although I've never been much of a country fan, this album is top shelf. Thanks for "broadening" me.

I never thought I liked country music, and then we moved to Austin. This was 15 years ago, but I never realized that what is sold to the masses as country is a far cry from where the genre started and where so many great artists remain. Joe Ely is a great example. Enjoyed the album as well as the related songs that Spotify started playing after it was finished. Fits very well into my vibe.

3 eller 4 stjerner

Unerwartet cool, abwechslungreich und kurzweilig

Surprisingly, this is a good Country album, going more for Rock than pure Old Country. If I have to listen to this genre, I much prefer this approach. 3.5/5

Liked it! Just the right rythm for a Sunday morning 🥰

I really like this album. West Texas Waltz and Honky Tonkin were my favorites. Plus there’s synth on this album?!?!? In 1978?!?! On a country album?!?!? Loved it

Album # 29 Fingernails gave made me think..EWWW but then I thought of Dolly and how she tells the story of when she was recording 9-5 she used her nails throughout the song. She did it, she didn't write a song about it. It's funny the only 2 songs on this album that made me think "that's a pretty good tune" were two JE did not write., West Texas Waltz" & "Honky Tonkin'"

Joe Ely is the 2nd wave of great Americana artists. (Cash and Jennings). I love when the country haters loose their mind...... Good album. A ton of good songs.

I don't usually listen to very much country music, so it's good for me to sit through a country album like this when one shows up in the rotation. I'm really glad I did as this one is particularly good. There are definitely some heavier rock music elements in the album than most country music I've heard, yet it's still very much country. The tracks are on solid footing. Not sure why that specific image comes to mind, but that's how I'm hearing these songs. There's an interesting balance between firm footing and light fun. I don't hear that so often, and this album definitely caught my ear and kept it engaged. Excellent music, very well composed and performed -- nicely done!

Really good rebel country. Got two country in a row and this was a nice change of pace from the previous. Lively, fun, and twangy...what you want from country

The accordion gives it a Mexican feel. I really enjoyed “Jericho.”

I had never heard this album, or even heard OF this album, before this. Its pretty good! It certainly makes a good primer for the sounds of country music and has some nice country-to-rock bridges, along with some southern zydeco sounds. Not a perfect album or anything, but definitely worth a listen. 4/5

What a banger! Thanks Rob

"Honky Tonk Masquerade" is the second album by American country singer-songwriter Joe Ely. The genre listed is country rock. Yeah, but there's a lot more going on as well. Ely sings and plays acoustic guitar. There's also slide guitar, electronic guitar, piano, synths and an accordion. Commercially, this did not do very well but was, critically, highly regarded. "Cornbread Moon" opens things up with an acoustic guitar, slide guitar, drums and an accordion. This is bouncey. Ely has got a little twang. This actually sound like zydeco. I'm on board. "Boxcars" takes it in rock direction. Hey, an electric guitar and accordion solo. And, the songs ends with a searing guitar solo. We need more songs about trains especially if they sound like this. "Honky Tonk Masquerade" has a slide guitar and piano. Backing vocals. This is country and a very nice sounding song. The first single "Fingernails" sounds like a 50/60's pop song. A jump-jiven piano. A sax added. It's peppy. Alright. We couldn't have a country album without a waltz? Could we? No! "West Texas Waltz" takes us there. More slide guitar and accordion. And it rocks out at the end. This is a very enjoyable album. It's got a lot of variety with zydeco, country, rock and pop. The musicianship especially the guitarists is great. It is absolutely in the alt-country genre ten years before the genre. A solid recommendation.

Its bit similar to Nick Drake

Great Country!!! Impressive.

4.0

Sounds like good classic country.

I wasn’t expecting a lot. When most of these tracks started, I was like “oh yeah, a country song”, and then the instrumental mid-section hit. And hit it did. I can see why The Clash loved this guy and wanted to work with him.

Seriously man what happened to country music? Why did we stray from this? Shit sucks now

This really honky'd my tonk

Solid country album but a bit lacking in the low end on the production

this album is easy to listen, very country-like. Would listen to it again!

This album had shades of what would become progressive/alt-country within a honky tonk framework. This album is so strikingly different from its contemporaries that I’m finding myself wanting to dig into Joe Ely more.

Not a traditional country guy but this one was better than the "new country" for sure.

Swäggg

Oh! The Honky Tonky Tonky, Oh! The Honky Tonky Tonky, Oh! The Honky Tonky Tonky, Honkey Tonkey, Hon-ky Tonk. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Honky Tonk Masquerade Date listened: 25/12/23

Who would have thought honky tonk would benefit so much from a moog?

Very nice folk~

This was super fun, wish it had a few more moments like the opening of the first track, but because it’s such a tight, manageable length—about 33 minutes—it will be easy to revisit. I might even do it today! I am of course biased because country rock and honky tonk are more in my wheelhouse than boomer rock, which is the majority of what I’ve gotten so far. That being said, I am unfamiliar with Mr Ely and will have to explore more. A breath of fresh air. Great lyrics, right band. Good album.

This is actually a really great country album - especially for 1978. It seems a little ahead of it's time in some ways. Obviously, there were other country icons at the time, but this has some mid-80s, early-90s country vibes as well. Plus, the horns on Cornbread Moon, that lead guitar tone on Boxcars, and the general "groove" of Jericho were really unique for this genre. Joe Ely gets a bump.