Exclusive: Let’s start with a bad thing - the only bad thing one could say about Ely’s last night concert in San Francisco. Despite heavy rumors and even being on the official ... Springsteen didn’t show up to help out his friend on some songs (as he did on the Texan’s last album "Letter To Laredo"). But then again Joe did not need a lot of help to excite the couple of hundred fans who found their way to the Slim’s. Warmed up by Melbourne’s Paul Kelly together with his messengers as well as an overly superb working furnace the small crowd embraced Ely the moment he hit the first few keys of the poetical "Gallo Del Cielo". Very thoughtful and almost timed in the beginning Joe very quickly loosened up and spent the rest of the evening telling stories and jokes about his Texan back-ground. Packed by the brilliant Flamenco-Billy guitarist Teye from Seville, Spain and the E-bassplayer Glenn Fukinagh (no drums, no horns but still a lot of rock) Joe brilliantly steered trough a 24-song show, cleverly changing paces and intensity. From the black humored "Gimme A Ride To Heaven" - "the closest I’ll get to a gospel" Ely started to the thoughtful "Letter To Laredo" Ely showed off his talents as a songwriter as well as a performer while never losing the intimate contact to the audience. He even changed his setlist a couple of times to squeeze in some requests (and yesss!: he played "She Collected" when I asked him to... not like Bruce with "Rosalita"). Other definite highlights of the evening were "Boxcars" a title that comes from his Flatlander times, the often requested but seklomly played "Barbecue & Foam" - which like other songs the spemiand never even heard before but still performed flawlessly, the sing-a-long "My Eyes Got Lucky" and "Billy And I Never Got Along", as well as "Run Preciosa" influenced by the poet Merquez and of course "Settle For. Love". Unfortunately Ely was more or less rudely kicked (or asked) off the stage by the owners. But even after the show was finished Joe proved himself a nice chap when he let us faithful into the dressingroom for a chat and some autograph signing. This down-to-earth Southerner might not have as big a success as others, but on sheer talent, will and character he is definitely not second to many. by Manuel Pasi