Streets of Sin - Joe Ely

Pros

• Absolutely pure Texas-country poetry.
• Simply exquisite lyrics.
• Beautiful, haunting melodies.

Cons

• None.

Description

• Solid Texas country.
• Some of the finest poetry in country music.
• Eloquent music at its best.

Guide Review - Streets of Sin - Joe Ely

It's been a long while since Joe Ely, the Poet Laureate of the Austin country music scene, released an album of new music. Ely has been recording his own style of true Western country music for over 25 years. Joe Ely had worked hard to get there, and never once has he compromised his rawboned, fierce, gritty edge to produce the sort of music he presents here, on his newest album, "Streets of Sin."

Ely's lyrics weave a tapestry of imagery and imagination, weary worlds and dirt roads, the elegance of diamonds in dust. His words display a stark image, always captivating and never obvious or sentimental. This is the hard, cold edge of Texas country. Ely's straightforward, unadorned vocals deliver his words with the grim certainty of a prophet. He makes no apology for displaying the world as it is. But Joe knows there's joy in life, too. He sings of those brighter emotions, as well, but with the realism that makes country music country.

Music this good deserves to be heard. Ely's western style of Texas music isn't "alternative" country, it's just plain country, the way country should always have been. The hardness and harshness of life tempered by true emotions and fragile humanity, this is what country music is all about.