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Wed Mar 15 2023
3
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.
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Mon Mar 13 2023
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.
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Wed Mar 15 2023
4
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
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Wed Mar 15 2023
4
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.
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Sat Apr 15 2023
4
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.
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Fri Apr 21 2023
4
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.
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Fri Mar 24 2023
3
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.
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Mon Mar 27 2023
3
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.
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Thu Jun 22 2023
3
Not bad for a country album - some really nice instrumentation and the lyrics were fairly interesting/clever.
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Tue Mar 14 2023
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.
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Fri Apr 28 2023
5
Great, great record.
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Wed Jun 07 2023
5
Loved it! Old school country with a gentle rock edge - with catchy tunes and engaging lyrics.
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Thu Jun 15 2023
5
Brilliant vernacular folk music
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Thu Jun 29 2023
5
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.
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Fri Jul 07 2023
5
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.
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Fri Jul 14 2023
5
Really catches the heart of Texas country. A great listen with clever lyrics and good dance songs.
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Sun Apr 02 2023
4
4.0
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Mon Apr 03 2023
4
Solid country album but a bit lacking in the low end on the production
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Thu Apr 13 2023
4
Short country album
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Tue Apr 25 2023
4
Fine and polished
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Fri May 12 2023
4
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!
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Thu May 25 2023
4
This really honky'd my tonk
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Wed May 31 2023
4
Een lekker potje country, met jankende gitaren en zo te horen de geijkte plattelandsonderwerpen. Perfect voor de langere autorit, arm uit het raam, de maat meetikken op het stuur en jezelf even een cowboy wanen.
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Fri Jun 02 2023
4
Honky Toni certainly grew on me due to this challenge haha
Saved tracks: Boxcars, I’ll Be Your Fool, Honky Tonkin’
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Sun Jun 18 2023
4
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.
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Tue Jun 20 2023
4
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
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Sat Jun 24 2023
4
Vrolijke country mag er ook zijn, 't is niet altijd weemoed
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Tue Jul 04 2023
4
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.
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Thu Jul 20 2023
4
Swäggg
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Thu Jul 20 2023
4
What a banger! Thanks Rob
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Thu Jul 20 2023
4
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.
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Sat Jul 29 2023
4
Kudos for being the boppiest and most interesting country album I have ever heard since "Honky Tonk Heroes".
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Fri Aug 18 2023
4
I’m not a country fan, but this album slaps. I could definitely see myself listening to more from this artist. 4/5
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Sat Aug 19 2023
4
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.
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Fri Aug 25 2023
4
A well produced album with a blend of americana and a lot more depth than a typical country album.
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Sun Sep 03 2023
4
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.
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Mon Sep 04 2023
4
Liked it! Just the right rythm for a Sunday morning 🥰
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Sun Sep 17 2023
4
4
Man honky-tonk just got something
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Sat Mar 11 2023
3
Average.
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Tue Mar 14 2023
3
Leuk album. Vooral als je van country muziek houdt maar ook voor de liefhebber van rustige, melodieuze popmuziek.
***
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Tue Mar 14 2023
3
Easy listening.
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Tue Mar 14 2023
3
It’s okay
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Fri Mar 24 2023
3
3.5
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Mon Mar 27 2023
3
nothing special here. it was just ok.
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Sun Mar 26 2023
3
Jarrod fell asleep. So I had it turned way down. Good story-telling lyrics. Generic country sound. I would go to a concert if the tickets were free or really cheap.
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Fri Mar 31 2023
3
I really enjoyed the opener Cornbread Moon, it definitely felt like rock and roll honky tonk, with some nice guitarwork. It made me read up on Joe Ely, and I was surprised at how much different stuff he did and how he and the Class were big fans of each other. I might have to check out some of his more eclectic stuff. But back to this album, it felt a little bit bland with a few highs - the opener, Jericho, I'll Be Your Fool, and especially Fingernails. That last one was a ton of honky tonk fun; I could put that one on repeat all day. Honky Tonkin was alright, but not any better than Hank Jr. or Sr. So yeah, I'm curious to seek out more Joe Ely but not because the whole album blew me away, just a few parts and tidbits.
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Fri Mar 31 2023
3
Sounds like your typical old school C/W fare. I liked The West Texas Waltz, combining the two styles like that.
I'm just not into that style, although I will acknowledge that style more than the new "Americana" style of country (rock + steel guitars). They all had that sound to it, but the songs did not drag on and overstay their welcome, I will give them that.
They were well done, produced well, but just not a style I am a fan of. Next.
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Mon Apr 10 2023
3
Things didn’t get off to a good start, for me. Within 20 seconds, Cornbread Moon kicks into over-produced Country-Swing. The next ballad didn’t exactly redeem things. But Boxcars is a dark, country classic with a wicked guitar solo at the end. It's easy to see why it has 4X more plays than the rest of the LP combined. The rest is passable, a bit cliched and not as twangy as I’d like, but it is 1978 after all.
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Mon Apr 10 2023
3
Some great storytelling. Not all of it was for me, musically.
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Wed Apr 26 2023
3
Look again it's country and I just cannot deal with most country, but I have to admit there were a couple of not terrible tracks there...
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Thu Apr 27 2023
3
Un bon album country, pas le meilleir ici 3.5
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Fri May 05 2023
3
this album has the distinction of the least spotify listens of any we’ve had so far — the final song has only 1,033 total. for all that, i was expecting something terrible or transcendently great. this is… solid. there are some nice moments (cornbread moon), but also some really bad ones (i’ll be your fool). Overall, a totally fine country record
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Fri May 05 2023
3
This album is noticeably stifled by its outdated, and now cheesy, instrumentation.
The vocals are a little shaky, and the lyrics are a bit uncomplicated.
There’s an endearing earnestness to all of the aforementioned. However, not endearing enough to push it above a 3.
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Sat May 06 2023
3
Country
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Mon May 15 2023
3
A fully polished and workmanlike artifact but I couldn't escape the feeling that in all ways, but particularly lyrically, it was a little basic and on the nose. Not entirely my genre so maybe I'm missing the subtlety as it certainly seems to be very well-regarded.
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Wed May 17 2023
3
M'ha sorprés. Més accessible que la majoria de discos de country de la llista. Honky tonk pur, però temes com 'Because of the Wind', 'Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown' o 'I'll Be Your Fool' fan de bon sentir i mereixen ser conservats
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Fri May 19 2023
3
Honky Tonk with a Moog. Really unique, really interesting, but honestly it wears a bit thin by the end. Best track: Boxcars
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Sat May 27 2023
3
Rating: 6/10
Best songs: Fingernails
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Mon May 29 2023
3
Some good ole country vibes, nothing out of the ordinary, twangy and light.
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Wed May 31 2023
3
Ihan hyvää kantria taas, toimii juuri tämän puoli tuntia.
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Wed May 31 2023
3
Ei pöllömpi. Vähemmän häiritsevä länkkäri, mutta ei mee lemppareihin
3/3
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Wed May 31 2023
3
Ik luister te weinig cuntry om dit echt goed op waarde te kunnen schatten. Wat maakt dit nu uitzonderlijk en waarom wordt dit blijkbaar in 1 adem genoemd met een aantal andere iconische country platen (die me net zo veel of weinig zeggen)? Het is altijd lekker om een steel guitar te horen en het zit verder prima in elkaar. Er lijkt me nog best wat variatie in te zitten, voor zover het genre dat toelaat. Ik heb me er prima mee vermaakt voor een keurige 3 sterren.
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Wed May 31 2023
3
Country in alle vormen die je al 1000 keer eerder hebt gehoord. In een zeer degelijke uitvoering. Alles is keurig gezongen. Knap, maar na een paar nummers heb je het wel weer gehoord.
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Tue Jun 20 2023
3
I would much prefer hearing this music in an old saloon than listening to it in my bedroom. 6/10
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Fri Jun 23 2023
3
Starts with a couple of songs with an edge, then becomes rather uneventfull country.
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Thu Jun 29 2023
3
Enjoyable Texas honky tonk with a rock edge and some really great guitar. A nice warm sound that grows on you as the album goes on and still sounds pretty fresh today. Great stuff.
Fave Songs: Because of the Wind, I'll Be Your Fool, West Texas Waltz, Honky Tonkin', Boxcars, Cornbread Moon
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Fri Jun 30 2023
3
I wanted to like this more, and I did enjoy it, but it ended up coming off just a touch dull.
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Thu Jul 06 2023
3
Meh. Nothing significant, but not bad.
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Fri Jul 07 2023
3
Satisfactory country eating.
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Fri Jul 07 2023
3
Like a greasy grilled cheese sandwich.
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Mon Jul 10 2023
3
nice country record! I was surprised to see that this one isn't as bad as other ones. Still it's got some downsides but it was actually a good listen.
I'm between a 3 and a 4 but for me it's a 3
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Fri Jul 14 2023
3
I do not dig country music, but this one is ok
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Wed Jul 19 2023
3
Fun album!
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Thu Jul 27 2023
3
Fine album by country standards, wasn't wowed but also didn't hate it and dug a few of the tracks. Perhaps the most median album of the project so far - I have no strong opinions one way or the other
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Thu Aug 03 2023
3
Un buen álbum de country, pero nada fuera de lo común. Quizás un tanto innovador en la producción, sobretodo para 1978, adelantando un poco las tendencias de lo que serían los ‘80s para la música norteamericana.
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Thu Aug 03 2023
3
Ahead of its time. This sounds like a mid80s classic country album.
Great smooth country with just a little twang.
Standouts: Boxcars, Tonight I Think I’m Going to Go Downtown, Honky Tonk Masquerade,
Damn Good!
3.5/5
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Fri Aug 04 2023
3
Non male
interessante
simpatico
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Mon Aug 14 2023
3
It's OK for a country album. The outro of Boxcars rocks.
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Fri Aug 18 2023
3
It's funny, I really love alt-country, contemporary folk and Americana type music like Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle, Lucinda Williams, The Be Good Tanyas, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, etc. It's some of my favorite music. But there is a fine line between those genres and more traditional country. I can't quite put my finger on what makes something one or the other, but something about more traditional country I just don't care for. This is better than most, but it still falls into that more traditional category to me. 3 stars.
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Fri Aug 25 2023
3
This is my second country album in a row, and much like that Dwight Yoakam opus, I find this reasonbly pleasant to listen to, but I don't really find myself able to appreciate its significance. Some of this is just not having the context for that was happening in country at the time. It's possible that a lot of country that I've listened to is aping this sound, and that's why it doesn't mean much to me. Either way, it's nice enough, but I'm never planning on coming back to this album
3/5
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Fri Aug 25 2023
3
Decent but ultimately uneventful country, album
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Sun Aug 27 2023
3
Surprisingly enjoyable!
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Mon Aug 28 2023
3
Well done for its genre.
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Thu Aug 31 2023
3
Some of these songs were silly! Good honky tonk action
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Thu Aug 31 2023
3
Honky as well as tonky providing some nice padding to my rough country bar playlist
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Thu Aug 31 2023
3
I liked fingernails
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Fri Sep 01 2023
3
A bit of honky tonk country. Nothin bad, nothin groundbreaking.
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Tue Sep 05 2023
3
Leans into Texas twang and mostly makes it work. Favorite: Boxcars. Too much: I'll Be Your Fool, West Texas Waltz
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Tue Sep 05 2023
3
Pleasant enough honky tonk 70s country. I enjoy a bit of honky tonk now and then, and the production on this album was great. Overall not super memorable but I liked it.
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Wed Sep 13 2023
3
Solid album. 10 tracks, 34 minutes. Get in, take care of business, get out. I don't listen to much C&W, so it's hard to tell if this is great. But this is pretty good.
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Sat Mar 11 2023
2
Some really horrible cliched country, but then there are songs like Boxcars, which is brilliant, and Fingernails, which is a great piece of rockabilly.
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Tue Mar 14 2023
2
country. very ok, but not something i would listen to again i think
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Sun Mar 19 2023
2
It started and I went hmmmm, then there were a couple of moments early on when I thought that this might take off in an unexpected direction, but it didn't.
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Wed Mar 22 2023
2
This was not a great listen for me, an adherent of "Any Music but Country".
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Thu Mar 23 2023
2
not sure that i buy much of what Joe Ely is selling on Honky Tonk Masquerade (not that he has that much to offer in the first place): the record is loaded with corny evocations of lower class midwestern quirks that Ely beats to the ground until they become indistinctive. it starts off strong, with its first three songs rich and full of color. “Boxcars” is the best thing on here — it fully captures the Ely’s vivid storytelling and complex country rock compositions. but every song following that is cheesier than the one before, and eventually they all begin to droll along. there are some last minute highlights, of course, like “Fingernails” or the title track, where Ely just goes off and has the time of his life. but as a non-country fan, Honky Tonk Masquerade unfortunately does not prove itself to be the record to make me a convert, but oh well…
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Mon Mar 27 2023
2
This contributes to my influential doesn't equal good belief. He certainly may have influenced a lot of music I like, or maybe they were influenced by the same people. I appreciate the mix of country/blues/big band but it's an artist that was almost good. Fingernails was just bad.
Erica: it's country. It's hard for me to be objective.
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Wed Apr 26 2023
2
Not a great lover of country, it's ok
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Thu Apr 27 2023
2
This made me cringe.
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Thu Apr 27 2023
2
It was ok.
Joe Ely- liked cornbread moon
Nice slide solo on because of the wind
Box car- kind of a cool vibe. Cool harmonized guitar lines
Jericho- like the half time part
2.5
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Wed May 03 2023
2
Not for me
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