The NYT had a nice remembrance today related to the recent passing of Joe Ely. Much like the trajectory of Graham Parker's career, I believe Joe's best work was during the late 70s and early 80s. I'm especially fond of the songs that he sang that Butch Hancock wrote. You may know that Joe, Butch, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore recorded and performed as The Flatlanders. Should you wish to lend an ear, and I think you'll be glad that you did, you might want to begin with: She Never Spoke Spanish To Me, If You Were a Bluebird, Fingernails, Musta Not Gotta Lotta, Wishin' For You, and Dam of My Heart. His first 5 albums on MCA are all worth owning! One last thing. Joe fell big time for The Clash, and they felt similarly about him, bringing him on a British tour. When you next hear The Clash doing Should I Stay or Should I Go, listen for the singing in Spanish, as that will be Joe, Ely, not Strummer! 

Final memory; I was in Boston for a Graham Parker show. I spotted Joe in the crowd, got the autograph, and asked him what he was doing in Boston. He mentioned that he was mostly there to see his good friend, Lucinda Williams, who was the opener. Parker later signed the same CD booklet, and I feel confident saying that I have the only one signed by JE and GP. Raise a toast!

Peter T.