Love and Danger is an album by the American musician Joe Ely, released in 1992.[1][2] It marked Ely's return to MCA Records.[3] He supported the album with a North American tour.[4]
| Love and Danger | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Producer | Tony Brown, Joe Ely | |||
| Joe Ely chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production edit
Recorded in Nashville, the album was produced by Tony Brown and Ely.[5][6] Ely and Brown wanted to place emphasis on the songs and Ely's voice, rather than a band sound.[7] Ely had written between 40 and 50 songs over nine months, some inspired by his Texas road travels.[8] David Grissom played guitar on the album.[9] "Every Night About This Time" is a cover of the Dave Alvin song.[10] "The Road Goes On Forever" and "Whenever Kindness Fails" were written by Robert Earl Keen.[11][12]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [13] |
| Calgary Herald | B[10] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [14] |
| The Indianapolis Star | [15] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [6] |
| Orlando Sentinel | [16] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 4/10[17] |
The Chicago Tribune wrote that the album, "bursting with a crazed and dangerous sexual energy, rocks as hard as anything Ely has ever recorded, yet that rootsy Texas twang is never far away, nor is his startling poetic flair."[18] The Guardian noted that "Whenever Kindness Fails" "meshes perfectly with Ely's gruff but ironic delivery."[19] The Los Angeles Times determined that "Ely is taking the outsider/loner's view of love and life, spinning witty, frequently brilliant metaphors ... and setting them to melodies that seem at once familiar and fresh."[20]
The Calgary Herald opined that Ely's "delivery is too intense, like he's trying to be heard over a roadhouse crowd."[10] Stereo Review concluded that "it's got the dynamic locomotion of rock, the righteous sassiness of the blues, the narrative twang of country, and the hook-filled, melodic sheen of pop."[21] The Indianapolis Star wrote that "Ely's America entails bawdy romances, squelched ambitions and lonesome highways."[15] The Orlando Sentinel stated that "the ultra-crisp, hard-rock drum sound here is downright annoying on otherwise worthy songs."[16]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sleepless in Love" | 4:04 |
| 2. | "Pins and Needles" | 4:16 |
| 3. | "Love Is the Beating of Hearts" | 4:22 |
| 4. | "Slow You Down" | 4:27 |
| 5. | "The Road Goes On Forever" | 4:33 |
| 6. | "Settle for Love" | 4:25 |
| 7. | "Highways and Heartaches" | 4:14 |
| 8. | "Whenever Kindness Fails" | 4:05 |
| 9. | "She Collected" | 3:42 |
| 10. | "Every Night About This Time" | 4:11 |
References edit
- ^ McLeese, Don (5 May 1992). "Joe Ely and his bands live up to the present and past". Austin American-Statesman. p. D6.
- ^ Corcoran, Michael (11 June 1992). "The Lubbock Flash Sparks fly when Joe Ely, his band hit the stage". The Baltimore Sun. p. 1G.
- ^ McLeese, Don (Jan 7, 1993). "Country & Western". Rolling Stone (647): 54.
- ^ Howell, Peter (31 Oct 1992). "Joe Ely Love and Danger". Toronto Star. p. G10.
- ^ Catlin, Roger (15 Oct 1992). "Tunesmiths from Texas take to road". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 4.
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 385.
- ^ Clark, Rick (Nov 28, 1992). "Lone Star Joe Ely Finds Himself in Good Company". Billboard. 104 (48): 14.
- ^ Joyce, Mike (21 Oct 1992). "Joe Ely, in London & Lubbock". The Washington Post. p. B7.
- ^ Patoski, Joe Nick (Sep 1992). "Roadhouse Warrior". Texas Monthly. 20 (9): 50.
- ^ a b c Tremblay, Mark (18 Oct 1992). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C3.
- ^ Pick, Steve (23 Oct 1992). "Joe Ely Is Rockin' in His 'Third Phase'". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 8G.
- ^ Harrison, Tom (26 Nov 1992). "Love and Danger 'most impressive album'". The Province. p. C6.
- ^ "Love and Danger Review by Brian Mansfield". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 3. MUZE. p. 277.
- ^ a b Hawn, John (9 Nov 1992). "Joe Ely offers a new view of country". The Indianapolis Star. p. C5.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (25 Dec 1992). "Joe Ely". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 9.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 148.
- ^ Heim, Chris (2 Oct 1992). "Guitarist Joe Ely flirts with 'Love and Danger'". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. S.
- ^ Sweeting, Adam (8 Oct 1992). "Rock/Pop". Features. The Guardian.
- ^ Lewis, Randy (8 Oct 1992). "Joe Ely, 'Love and Danger'". OC Live. Los Angeles Times. p. 9.
- ^ Puterbaugh, Parke (Nov 1992). "Joe Ely's American Music, Pure and Simple". Stereo Review. 57 (11): 117.