Since my favorite rock and roller of all time is probably Alejandro Escovedo, I'm sure you've read the various gushing fan boy posts I've scribbled on the Texas native these past two years on KBHM. Apologies for repeating myself, but the guy is fucking badass. I caught him this past Monday night at the Troubador in L.A. (Variety review here) and homeboy did not disappoint. Big guitars for days, references to Mott the Hoople, Iggy Pop -- and when was the last time you heard someone who used to hang out with Sid Vicious at the Chelsea use the word Chicano in a joke criticizing both George Bush and the stupid wall our government is building on the border?
Opening for Alejandro were Carrie Rodriguez, Austin transplant now living in Brooklyn, and fellow alt rocker Texas native David Garza, who joined Escovedo for his encore songs, including a weird and wonderful version of the Stones Beast of Burden. Talk about a post-brown boho lineup. Ed Morales would be proud.
After thirty plus years of under-the-radar cult acclaim, and a reputation as a musician's musician, Escovedo recently signed with Springsteen agent Jon Landau. In record time, a YouTube clip of Al jamming with the Boss began making the rounds, he's getting some mainstream press, NPR interviews, a gig at the Democratic National Convention (very badass first person account of the night here), and tonight Escovedo will perform on the tonight show. All good things come to those who wait, even 57 year old rockers. I leave you with a two clips of Alejandro, first from 1997 and a performance of his song Gravity, and second, a thrashing cover of Iggy Pop's I Wanna Be Your Dog. Rock on.
finally heard alejandro's stuff today. i like a lot. just got a copy of his show at bimbo's in sf. tight shit!
Posted by: Lito | 21 September 2008 at 09:28 PM