Email this article | Printer friendly page Joe Ely and Joel GuzmanLive Cactus! |
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Joe Ely’s a more of rock ’n’ roll singer than a folkie, but when he has tried to be an outlaw or make rock-flavored albums, the results have sounded forced. Here, accompanied live by accordionist Joel Guzman and with an audience to keep him reasonably honest, he’s a convincing West Texas romantic as in love with the world he’s singing about as he is with his own singing. The voice isn’t any technical marvel; it’s a rogue’s voice, and it’s one that seems to find its clearest expression onstage (see 1980’s Live Shots). This isn’t that; his honky-tonk hero days are over, but he sounds as happy and comfortable with Guzman’s discreet accordion as the only support onstage as he does when Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock are by his side. I guess every Pancho needs his Lefty.
The Louisiana Music Collective
Authentic New Orleans and Louisiana roots music resources.
