Friday, December 26, 2025

Joe Ely, Chris Rea

In tribute to two greatly-underappreciated musical figures, although Rea did have a minor U.S. hit in 1978 with “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” and had considerable success in his native U.K.

 

https://variety.com/2025/music/obituaries-people-news/joe-ely-dead-texas-singer-roots-rock-hero-1236609581/

 

“Joe Ely performed American roots music with the fervor of a true believer who knew music could transport souls,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “His distinctive musical style could only have emerged from Texas, with its southwestern blend of honky-tonk, rock & roll, roadhouse blues, western swing, and conjunto.”

 

Favorites:

Boxcars

She Never Spoke Spanish To Me

Dallas

Musta Notta Gotta Lotta

Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown

 

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/22/chris-rea-rock-and-blues-singer-songwriter-dies-aged-74

 

Rea blended blues, pop, soul and soft rock on 25 studio albums, featuring hits including The Road to Hell, taken from a UK No 1 album of the same name; Driving Home for Christmas, a perennial seasonal favourite; and tracks such as On the Beach and Josephine that earned popularity in the Balearic dance scene. He sold more than 30m albums.

 

Favorites:

Fool (If You Think It’s Over) [original 1978 version]

Driving Home For Christmas

On The Beach

The Road To Hell

Looking For The Summer

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