Joe Ely : “Joe Ely” (1977) / <i> MCA</i>

Joe Ely blew out of Lubbock with the heat and intensity of a West Texas windstorm. Tougher than the Eagles, hipper than Waylon and Willie, he carved out a niche so distinct that radio ignored him entirely. No matter. MCA has re-released his first four albums on CD, and this, his very first, remains as impressive as it was 15 years ago. Ely’s own songs, plus those by pals Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, are marvels of compact, evocative writing. His band (abandoned in the late ‘80s for the leaner, harder-rocking outfit he’s still using today) was the country equivalent of The Band, endlessly resourceful and able to swing, swing, swing in the hallowed tradition of the Texas Playboys. The closing track, “Johnny’s Blues,” still sends shivers up my spine.