Joe Ely began his solo recording career in 1977 after signing with MCA Records. His first solo LP, 'Joe Ely' – the first of the two records presented here – was released in that year and remains a masterpiece. 1978 brought 'Honky Tonk Masquerade', widely regarded as even better than the debut album and chosen by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best LPs of the 1970s.