I moved from Upstate NY to Houston in 1980. My introduction to Texas music was SRV and Joe, different shows, at Fitzgerald’s. Lyle, Nancy, Rattlecats, and so many others. Joe was the one who captivated me, the song writing just spoke to me. After moving to San Francisco, my wife and I caught as many shows as we could. We remember the buzz in the audience wondering if Springsteen might cross the Bay Bridge from his Berkeley show to sit in that one night at Joe’s show at Slims, Boz’s place. The Boss did not stop by, but the show was great, Letter from Laredo tour. The music goes on forever and great memories never end.
When the Air Force sent me to Texas in 1971 I was 19 yrs old, had grown up 10 yrs around Wash DC and was into folk and "protest" music. Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplene... Then I met Texas music. And Joe. It wasn't shock, as much as an awakening. The music in West Texas was nothing like I thought "country music" was. So original. A lot of the "San Francisco" sound had all these roots. Amazing.
I was at Ft. Sam the same time. Me 'n Bili D Would hitch hike y up to Austin ( before it got weird) and check out the bars and music. A real eye opener for this NYC boy.
Joe is obviously an amazing singer, songwriter as well as in my personal top 5 of live act's I've ever seen. But more than all that Joe is a genuinely kind and sweet human being. May God bless you Joe since He's already blessed me and thousands of others by allowing us to enjoy you for all these many years.
Funny how a few chords can evoke such memories, my wife and I had been traveling all over Australia, and one wet afternoon in 1997 we found ourselves at Centrepoint music in Sydney, right by the tower.. probably long gone now... but I saw the Letter to Loredo CD display with a set of headphones, I was intrigued by the album art, so bunged it on and those opening acoustic riffs came on. It was electric, bewitching, so apt Oasis or Blur or anything... It was Joe Ely at full roar. Not many artists just blow me away with a few notes and honesty .. this man did it..
Great of Joe to assemble this all-star lineup for the video! Of course Teye was featured in the song, but he included both David Grissom and Jesse "Guitar" Taylor (in addition to himself) on acoustic guitar. Add in Lloyd Maines on slide and Glenn Fukunaga on bass, and you've got quite the ax-man lineup there! Davis McClarty on drums, I'm pretty sure. Multiple permutations and combinations of this group have entertained me numerous times! If you haven't seen a Joe show, please do yourself a favor and get to one, ASAP! (RIP, Shirley - sure enjoyed all the Joe shows we saw together, wish there could have been more!)
I saw Joe play with the Flatlanders a few months back for the first time live. I can't remember ever enjoying a live performance more. The energy that comes from the stage to the audience is awesome. Thanks for sharing, I'm a life long fan and recommend to anyone they see Joe Ely live and if you ever get the rare chance to see him perform with the Flatlanders, don't miss it, you won't be sorry.
I have been fortunate being a musician in the fact that your fellow musicians all wanna show you whos the best. I was living in Chicago in Lincoln Park where they have a bookstore that features...of all things Live music. It was at this venue I was lucky enough to see and hear Junior Brown and some guy named Joe Ely.My life has never been the same.I think Joe is the best story teller out there. Me and mine seen him in Ia City last yr on June 11th> Thanks for gracing our lives Joe and God Bless
He opened for Tom Petty here in Austin in the late 70s....blew Tom away!!!!! I'm lucky enough to have lived in Austin for over 40 years and have seen him quite often in the clubs over the years
Fun fact: Lloyd Maines, father to Natalie Maines (lead singer of the Dixie Chicks) is seen here playing Dobro. Natalie is married to Adrian Pasdar, who directed this video. At the time, neither Natalie or Adrian had met.
I moved from Upstate NY to Houston in 1980. My introduction to Texas music was SRV and Joe, different shows, at Fitzgerald’s. Lyle, Nancy, Rattlecats, and so many others. Joe was the one who captivated me, the song writing just spoke to me. After moving to San Francisco, my wife and I caught as many shows as we could. We remember the buzz in the audience wondering if Springsteen might cross the Bay Bridge from his Berkeley show to sit in that one night at Joe’s show at Slims, Boz’s place. The Boss did not stop by, but the show was great, Letter from Laredo tour. The music goes on forever and great memories never end.
I had the pleasure of hearing Joe and Bruce play this together in Austin in 2000. What a treat!!!
When the Air Force sent me to Texas in 1971 I was 19 yrs old, had grown up 10 yrs around Wash DC and was into folk and "protest" music. Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplene... Then I met Texas music. And Joe. It wasn't shock, as much as an awakening. The music in West Texas was nothing like I thought "country music" was. So original. A lot of the "San Francisco" sound had all these roots. Amazing.
I was at Ft. Sam the same time. Me 'n Bili D
Would hitch hike y up to Austin ( before it got weird) and check out the bars and music. A real eye opener for this NYC boy.
Americana at its best. Keep rockin' Joe.
We saw Joe in Austin at Club Foot and I think the Back Room way back in 1982. Always a great show
Joe Ely is one of America's ...........Greatest singer/songwriters!
ONE of Joe's best !!!
Underrated dude
Joe is obviously an amazing singer, songwriter as well as in my personal top 5 of live act's I've ever seen. But more than all that Joe is a genuinely kind and sweet human being. May God bless you Joe since He's already blessed me and thousands of others by allowing us to enjoy you for all these many years.
Funny how a few chords can evoke such memories, my wife and I had been traveling all over Australia, and one wet afternoon in 1997 we found ourselves at Centrepoint music in Sydney, right by the tower.. probably long gone now... but I saw the Letter to Loredo CD display with a set of headphones, I was intrigued by the album art, so bunged it on and those opening acoustic riffs came on. It was electric, bewitching, so apt Oasis or Blur or anything... It was Joe Ely at full roar. Not many artists just blow me away with a few notes and honesty .. this man did it..
Great of Joe to assemble this all-star lineup for the video! Of course Teye was featured in the song, but he included both David Grissom and Jesse "Guitar" Taylor (in addition to himself) on acoustic guitar. Add in Lloyd Maines on slide and Glenn Fukunaga on bass, and you've got quite the ax-man lineup there! Davis McClarty on drums, I'm pretty sure. Multiple permutations and combinations of this group have entertained me numerous times! If you haven't seen a Joe show, please do yourself a favor and get to one, ASAP! (RIP, Shirley - sure enjoyed all the Joe shows we saw together, wish there could have been more!)
I saw Joe play with the Flatlanders a few months back for the first time live. I can't remember ever enjoying a live performance more. The energy that comes from the stage to the audience is awesome. Thanks for sharing, I'm a life long fan and recommend to anyone they see Joe Ely live and if you ever get the rare chance to see him perform with the Flatlanders, don't miss it, you won't be sorry.
They are legend's. 3 fantastic songwriters. Rare in a band
This is as real as it get ladies and gents, the authentic article for sure
I have always carried a copy of this album with me in all of my travels since 96, It is One of the best ever!!!!!!!
Never get tired of hearing this song! One of my favorites!
Had this album since it came out. First time seeing a video. Thanks.
Fabulous Texas musicianship! Always will dig Joe. Always have. Stay young Joe and Bruce and clan, Jimmie dale too, Butch. . .
Joe Ely Forever.
I have been fortunate being a musician in the fact that your fellow musicians all wanna show you whos the best. I was living in Chicago in Lincoln Park where they have a bookstore that features...of all things Live music. It was at this venue I was lucky enough to see and hear Junior Brown and some guy named Joe Ely.My life has never been the same.I think Joe is the best story teller out there. Me and mine seen him in Ia City last yr on June 11th> Thanks for gracing our lives Joe and God Bless
He opened for Tom Petty here in Austin in the late 70s....blew Tom away!!!!! I'm lucky enough to have lived in Austin for over 40 years and have seen him quite often in the clubs over the years
Fun fact: Lloyd Maines, father to Natalie Maines (lead singer of the Dixie Chicks) is seen here playing Dobro. Natalie is married to Adrian Pasdar, who directed this video. At the time, neither Natalie or Adrian had met.
Nice!
What a freakin voice....what a freakin band.....get these guys and this man on PBS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE !!
Happy birthday (9-Feb) to this amazing performer, songwriter and singer.
Joe Ely is cool a real songwriter.
iv been a fan of his for a very long time , his guitar is so crisp ,and music is so genuine joe , aiot of memories
Joe's been rockin' me since 1998. What a singer and songwriter! Love him!
Me, since 1978.
Joe got a great band..drummer's beating it out ..great sound..
🌮🐝😁
I have loved you forever
BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!
JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOE!
That's Bruce Springsteen singing backup. A great pairing.
Well done. I did not know Adrian directed this. As good as it gets.
Yes you say it's all right and correct, Hello how are you doing 👋👋👋
Joe does it and does it very well. Buddy Holley would approve.
🍺 TEXAS 🍺
Wishing for you
Everytime I listen to you Joe....I wanna be a better songwriter !
bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce
That looks like David Grissom to his left?
Great time in Austin in 98
Bruce on BVs