Search - Joe Ely :: Streets of Sin

What a surprise this was..

Bill Allison | Southwest Missouri, United States | 04/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just picked this up yesterday afternoon and I'm still listening. Having never heard Joe Ely before, I listened to some samples based on an Amazon recommendation. That was enough to get me hooked but when I actually heard the whole album...well, let's just say that I've got another favorite. I agree with another reviewer who said that every song is a potential hit, but let's talk about the opener "Fightin' For My Life" a second. Just listen to the lyrics. Go ahead, just click the sample button up there and take 30 seconds to hear what you've been missing. Also, I love the "it's gonna be a rough night out tonight, I know the kung-fu" bit. When I hear something like that, I just have to smile. The next track "I'm On The Run Again" is classic outlaw-country at its best. This sounds like it could have been a huge hit back in the Waylon/Willie days. VERY good.I honestly can't find one weak track on the whole album. To say the least, this guy is great. It's not everyday that I pick up on something this good and I've got some serious backtracking to do here. I'm wishing that I had picked up The Flatlanders' "Wheels of Fortune" to go along with it. In fact, I think I will. Highly reccommended."

Fabulous

goran palmqvist | Sweden | 09/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joe has never been one of my absolute favourites. He's done some really good work, but never made it all the way. Until now. Streets of sin easily puts him up on my top ten of the best albums this year. Every song is a potent hit single and I recommend it to anyone who loves rock and country."

Let the Poor Boy In!

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 11/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Joe Ely has been one of my favorite outlaw country musicians for a good number of years now. On "Streets of Sin," his skills as a master storyteller are polished like a fine diamond. My favorite cut is the title track with its slower pace, searing electric lead guitar, Joel Guzman's organ given a haunting quality to the music, and a theme of request for forgiveness, "Would you open your screen, let a poor boy in, if I come back home off the streets of sin." The song could be interpreted as one asking to be taken back by his old hometown, a lover or even a cry for forgiveness to the Creator. It's a sterling track. The Butch Hancock-penned opener "Fightin' for My Life" turns up the tempo full throttle in the best tradition of outlaw rock. "A Flood on Our Hands" is a great ballad about a family dealing with rising waters. "That's Why I Love You Like I Do" is another of my favorites with a great traditional feel, "Because you knew I needed laughter, because it heals the wounded fool, because you saw the near hereafter, that's why I love you like I do." This is an excellent and consistently strong set from Joe Ely. Enjoy!"